The Saints' victory over the Colts on Sunday night in the Super Bowl probably made many Vikings fans -- not to mention members of the organization -- feel even worse about what happened two weeks ago at the Louisiana Superdome in the NFC title game.

Of course, there is no need to go back over territory that has been well covered in this blog and so many other places. But it appears that there is a very good chance the Vikings aren't going to be allowed to forget about the Saints for long.

In fact, it would not be surprising to see the Vikings open the 2010 season on Thursday night, Sept. 9 at the Superdome. That is the date on which the NFL season is tentatively scheduled to begin with a prime-time game on NBC. The NFL has opened its season with a Thursday night game since 2002 and starting with the 2004 season it became the custom for the Super Bowl champion to play host to it.

The Vikings would appear to be the likely opponent given the fact they played the Saints for the conference title and also the fact that game would kick off Minnesota's 50th season in the NFL. If Brett Favre decides to play a 20th season that would make the matchup that much more attractive.

The home-and-road opponents for each NFL team already are set and if you look at who else the Saints will play host to in 2010 there isn't another game that appears as attractive. The other teams that will visit New Orleans include St. Louis, Seattle, Cleveland, Pittsburgh and NFC South foes Atlanta, Carolina and Tampa Bay.

The Steelers, who won the Super Bowl last season, are the only foe that comes close.

Assigning the Vikings the Thursday night opener would mean they would start on the road for the third consecutive season (at Green Bay in 2008 and at Cleveland in 2009), but Minnesota opened with road games for a six-year stretch from 1990 to 1995.

Although the complete schedule (with dates and times) for the 2010 season will not be announced until April, a few of the marquee matchups, including the Thursday night opener, should be revealed at the NFL owners meetings in late March in Orlando, Fla.