Preseason opener at Packers

The Bengals' 2008 preseason schedule, announced this afternoon by the NFL, includes a Monday Night Football opener at Green Bay and home games against Detroit and New Orleans.

The nationally-televised ESPN game at defending NFC North champion Green Bay — the first MNF broadcast of the season — is scheduled for Aug. 11 with a 8 p.m. kickoff. The Bengals play host to Detroit and New Orleans in Preseason Weeks 2 and 3, respectively, and then close out the preseason on the road at defending AFC South champion Indianapolis.

Exact dates and kickoff times for Preseason Weeks 2-4 will be announced at a later date.

"As the draft approaches and we get the preseason schedule, it’s exciting to be getting closer to football again,” Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis said. "The opportunity to open with a national game in one of the NFL’s most historic places should provide a great charge for our team."

The last Bengals visit to Green Bay’s Lambeau Field was a regular season game on Dec. 3, 1995.

This preseason will be the third year in a row that the Bengals have played a Monday Night Football game during preseason, and it’s the second time in those three games that the opponent has been Green Bay. The Bengals defeated the Packers 48-17 in a MNF game at Paul Brown Stadium in 2006 and lost 24-19 at Atlanta in a MNF contest in 2007.

This year's Bengals-Packers telecast also will air on a local, non-cable station, yet to be announced. Aside from that game, the Bengals’ preseason schedule will be televised live regionally on the Bengals Preseason TV Network.

--Preseason Week 1, at Green Bay (ESPN), Mon., Aug. 11, 8 p.m.

--Preseason Week 2, DETROIT, weekend of Aug. 15-17.

--Preseason Week 3, NEW ORLEANS, weekend of Aug. 22-24.

--Preseason Week 4, at Indianapolis, weekend of Aug. 29-31.