The NFL regular-season schedule will be released at 6 p.m. Tuesday, but the Vikings long-rumored opener is now known.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell announced during a live chat on NFL.com that the Vikings will indeed open the season against the Super Bowl champion Saints in New Orleans on Thursday, Sept. 9.
Speculation has focused on this matchup for weeks because it makes so much sense particularly with Brett Favre expected to return for his 20th season.
The game is a rematch of the NFC Championship game, Favre is a huge ratings draw and it features two of the best teams in the NFL in a prime-time opener to the season.
It would have been a huge surprise if the NFL didn't pick this game to kickoff its 2010 season.
There were rumors at the owners meetings in Orlando that the Vikings could play at the New York Jets on Thanksgiving night on NFL Network. There are strong indications this afternoon that the Vikings will indeed play the Jets on Thanksgiving.
