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• Packers get 3 Monday night games, no NFL network

By Wheeler News Service

Even without Brett Favre, the NFL seems to think the Green Bay Packers have a national following.

The regular season schedule was announced Tuesday afternoon and the NFC North Division champs have the maximum three Monday night games on ESPN.

The first one was announced earlier. It'll be played on the opening weekend, Sept. 8 at Lambeau Field against border-rivals Minnesota.

The other Monday night contests are Nov. 24 at New Orleans and Dec. 22 at Chicago.

There's also one NBC Sunday night game for now.

That's the much-anticipated home match-up against Wisconsin's Tony Romo and the Dallas Cowboys, on Sept. 21.

The Packers have eight Sunday noon contests, fewer than in the last couple years.

Wisconsin cable subscribers will be happy because for the first time in three years the Packers won't be the NFL Network game.

However, starting Nov. 16 there's a chance that one of five Sunday noon contests can be moved to Sunday night. That's part of NBC's flexible scheduling which is in its third year.

Packers' President Mark Murphy says he'd like to retire Brett Favre's number in one of the first four home games this fall.

From a football standpoint, Green Bay starts the campaign with two NFC North opponents, but then they'll go almost two months without a division contest until Nov. 9 at Minnesota.

The Pack will close out the regular with two division contests at Chicago and at home against Detroit.

Here is the complete Green Bay Packers' 2008 schedule:

Pre-season

Monday, August 11 - Cincinnati, 7 p.m., home - ESPN

Saturday, August 16 - at San Francisco, time to be announced - State TV network

Friday, August 22 - at Denver, 8 p.m. - State TV network

Thursday, August 28 - Tennessee*, TBA, home - State TV network

Regular season

Monday, September 8 - Minnesota, 6 p.m., home - ESPN

Sunday, September 14 - at Detroit, Noon - Fox

Sunday, September 21 - Dallas*, 7:15 p.m., home - NBC

Sunday, September 28 - at Tampa Bay, Noon - Fox

Sunday, October 5 - Atlanta, Noon, home - Fox

Sunday, October 12, at Seattle, 3:15 p.m. - Fox

Sunday, October 19, Indianapolis, 3:15 p.m., home - CBS

Sunday, October 26 - Bye

Sunday, November 2, at Tennessee, Noon - Fox

Sunday, November 9, at Minnesota, Noon - Fox

Sunday, November 16, Chicago*, Noon, home - Fox

Monday, November 24, at New Orleans, 7:30 p.m. - ESPN

Sunday, November 30, Carolina, Noon, home - Fox

Sunday, December 7, Houston, Noon, home - CBS

Sunday, December 14, at Jacksonville, Noon - Fox

Monday, December 22, at Chicago, 7:30 p.m. - ESPN

Sunday, December 28, Detroit, Noon, home - Fox