The Saints’ ‘08 schedule was officially released today by the NFL. Remember that late season games may be bumped to Sunday Night Football if the NFL and NBC deems it so.

Week 1:

Sunday 9/7: Tampa Bay Bucs @ New Orleans Saints

The Saints open the season in the Superdome for the first time since 2004.

Week 2:

Sunday 9/14: New Orleans Saints @ Washington Redskins

We get an early look at new Redskins coach Jim Zorn and his retooled offense, notably with QB Jason Campbell and RB Clinton Portis.

Week 3:

Sunday 9/21: New Orleans Saints @ Denver Broncos

The Saints play the Broncos for the first time since 2004, when Denver won 34-13 at the Superdome. Who will be the Broncos RB? Mike Bell, Selvin Young, Travis Henry or some draft pick Denver coach Mike Shanahan plucks out of this year’s draft?

Week 4:

Sunday 9/28: San Francisco 49ers @ New Orleans Saints

This should (emphasis on should) be first “gimme” game of the Saints’ season. The plan will be to stop RB Frank Gore and make the QB (either Alex Smith or Shaun Hill) beat us. New 49ers offensive coordinator Mike Martz makes a return to the Superdome.

Week 5:

Monday 10/6: Minnesota Vikings @ New Orleans Saints

Vikings RB Adrian Peterson vs. Saints RB Reggie Bush—will Reggie have stepped it up to the point where the winner of this battle won’t be as clear as it is now?

Week 6:

Sunday 10/12: Oakland Raiders @ New Orleans Saints

Another “gimme,” though it’ll be interesting if former LSU Tiger QB JaMarcus Russell lights it up in a homecoming of sorts.

Week 7:

Sunday 10/19: New Orleans Saints @ Carolina Panthers

Just the second division game of the year for the Saints, and the week before a big trip across the pond. Not a game to overlook, for sure.

Week 8:

Sunday 10/26: San Diego Chargers @ New Orleans Saints (London, England)

The Chargers will be at a bit of a disadvantage here, as they’ll be coming off a cross-country trip before they leave for this game. Besides the location, the big deal in this game is going to be former Chargers QB Drew Brees facing his old teammates for the first time.

Week 9:

Bye Week

Week 10:

Sunday 11/9: New Orleans Saints @ Atlanta Falcons

Should be another “gimme” game. New Falcons coach Mike Smith can’t make this team respectable with either Joey Harrington, Chris Redman or a rookie playing QB, can he?

Week 11:

Sunday 11/16: New Orleans Saints @ Kansas City Chiefs

Same as above, except replace Mike Smith with incumbent Chiefs coach Herm Edwards and Harrington, Redman and the rookie with Damon Huard, Brodie Croyle and another rookie. The Chiefs do have RB Larry Johnson, but he’s coming off a down season and could have too much tread off the tires already.

Week 12:

Monday 11/24: Green Bay Packers @ New Orleans Saints

Another Monday night game, against the Aaron Rodgers-led Pack (assuming Brett Favre doesn’t snipe Rodgers and come out of retirement during training camp). Will the inexperienced Rodgers allow teams to load up against the Packers’ running game?

Week 13:

Sunday 11/30: New Orleans Saints @ Tampa Bay Bucs

The first of back-to-back division games at home. I’m glad this one’s first, because it’d be tempting to overlook the Falcons.

Week 14:

Sunday 12/7: Atlanta Falcons @ New Orleans Saints

Re-read Week 10. Nothing will have changed in another month.

Week 15:

Thursday 12/11: New Orleans Saints @ Chicago Bears (AG Editor Leo McGovern’s birthday–let the party planning begin!—Ed.)

Can we FINALLY redeem ourselves against the Bears?

Week 16:

Sunday 12/21: New Orleans Saints @ Detroit Lions

Lions coach Rod Marinelli will probably be on the hot seat. Can he pull a Wayne Fontes and go on a late-season run? The Lions have an excellent wide receiver tandem in Roy Williams, Calvin Johnson, and Mike Furrey, maybe the best WR corps the Saints will have faced all year. If the Saints defense improves the way we all think it should, this should be no problem.

Week 17:

Sunday 12/28: Carolina Panthers @ New Orleans Saints

We always seem to have problems with Carolina, so it looks to be another tough game to finish the season. Let’s hope we’ve got whatever we need wrapped up before this game.