Thursday, the National Football League released the official schedule for the 2006 NFL regular season, which will begin with a Thursday night contest between the Super Bowl XL champion Pittsburgh Steelers and the Miami Dolphins on September 7. On Sept 11, the NFL also has a doubleheader planned to kick off ESPN's Monday Night coverage. Beginning at 7 p.m. ET, the Minnesota Vikings will take on the Washington Redskins. And in the nightcap, which starts at 10:15 p.m., the Chargers will travel to Oakland to face the Raiders.

The New Orleans Saints, on Sept. 25, will make their return to the Superdome for their first regular-season game since Hurricane Katrina forced the team to relocate. On that evening, the Saints will host the Atlanta Falcons in a Monday night contest.

Another big date that will be highly anticipated is Terrell Owens' return to Philadelphia. Owens and his new team, the Cowboys, will meet for the first time on Oct. 8.