The NFL has announced that the Redskins will play the New York Giants in the NFL 2008 regular-season opener on Thursday, Sept. 4, at Giants Stadium.

Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET, instead of the traditional 8:30 p.m. ET start time, so that the game does not conflict with the Republican National Convention also televised that evening.

The game will be broadcast on NBC.

The game would feature the Super Bowl XLI champion Giants and a Redskins team that has a new head coach in Jim Zorn. The Redskins were also a playoff team in 2007.

The Super Bowl winner traditionally hosts the NFL season opener.

The Redskins and Giants split their season series last year.

The Giants came from behind in Week 3 to defeat the Redskins 24-17 at FedExField. In Week 15 at Giants Stadium, the Redskins won 22-10 in convincing fashion.

It would be the second time in six years that the Redskins would be featured in the NFL season opener. The Redskins last played in the game in 2003, when they defeated the New York Jets 16-13 at FedExField.

The Redskins-Giants opener will be just the second time this decade that the Redskins have opened the regular season on the road.

The last time the Redskins opened with a road game was 2001, when they traveled to San Diego to play the Chargers in Week 1.