The NFL announced the 2008 Kickoff Weekend schedule, which features four national games -- and the Carolina Panthers are not included on the list.

   That's hardly a surprise given Carolina's record last season and the fact they're a small market team.

   At the NFL owner's meetings on Monday the NFL announced the New York Giants will host the NFL East rival Washington Redskins in the season opener Sept. 4, continuing the tradition of the Super Bowl champion hosting the Thursday night season opener. Kickoff will be 90 minutes earlier than usual because of the Republican National Convention.

   On Sunday night, the Indianapolis Colts will host the Chicago Bears in the first regular-season contest at the new Lucas Oil Stadium. ESPN will feature a Monday night doubleheader on Monday night with the Green Bay Packers hosting the Minnesota Vikings in the early matchup and the Oakland Raiders playing host to the Denver Broncos in the late contest.

   The rest of the 2008 regular-season schedule will be completed and announced in April, possibly even this week.