Bob McCarty Writes

The New York Giants defeated the Washington Redskins, 16-7, Thursday night to open the National Football League’s 2008-09 season, but the season really doesn’t get started until Sunday night.

Thirteen games take place on opening Sunday, with the the marquee match-up taking place under the lights at the brand new Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

Chicago Bears @ Indianapolis Colts

At 8:15 p.m. Eastern Sunday, the Chicago Bears take on the Indianapolis Colts in a game that will mark two firsts:  the first regular-season test of Peyton Manning’s surgically-repaired knee and the first regular-season game played in the new retractable-roof stadium.  I pick Manning every time.

Minnesota Viking @ Green Bay Packers

At 7 p.m. Eastern Monday, Adrian Peterson and the Minnesota Vikings travel to Green Bay to take on a Packers team that, for the first time in a generation, will take the field without Brett Favre behind center.  Hats off to Aaron Rodgers for his willingness to wait in the wings so long for this opportunity.

Fans who can’t sleep after watching the Central Division battle in Green Bay will be able to watch quarterback Jay Cutler lead his Denver Broncos against the Oakland Raiders.  The West Coast battle will begin at 10:15 p.m. Eastern and serve as the coming-out party of rookie Darren McFadden, a running back whose talents were largely kept under wraps during the preseason.

To see the rest of the NFL schedule on ESPN, click here.