Published: April 03, 2008 05:54 pm            

Indanapolis Colts announce 2008 preseason schedule

INDIANAPOLIS — While the National Football League won't officially announce the 2008 regular-season schedule for a couple more weeks, the league's slate of preseason games -- which were announced Thursday -- includes a pair of nationally televised contests featuring the Indianapolis Colts.

Indianapolis will play three straight exhibition games on the road before returning to Lucas Oil Stadium for an Aug. 24 meeting with the Buffalo Bills that will be broadcast by the NFL Network. There will be an 8 p.m. kickoff for the Bills game, which will mark the team's the first-ever appearance by the Colts in their new facility.

Colts officials had requested a later August date for its initial preseason game at Lucas Oil Stadium in order to give workers additional time to have the facility ready for use. In addition to the home game with Buffalo, Indianapolis will play host to the Cincinnati Bengals in its final preseason game either Thursday,Aug. 28 or Friday, Aug. 29.

Indianapolis and Cincinnati have played every preseason since 1992 with the exception of 2000. They have met in the preseason finale every season since 2003. The Bengals beat Indianapolis in the preseason finale last season and lead the preseason series, 10-6.

Among the road games on tap for the Colts include a previously announced appearance in the NFL's Hall of Fame game against the Washington Redskins on Aug. 3, a trip to Detroit's Ford Field (Aug. 7-11 ) and a visit to the Georgia Dome to play the Atlanta Falcons the weekend (Aug. 14-19).

The Hall of Fame meeting with Washington, which coincides with the league's Hall of Fame induction ceremonies, is scheduled for an 8 p.m. kickoff and will be broadcast by NBC.

Official dates and kickoff times for the Detroit, Atlanta and Cincinnati games will be announced later this spring.

        

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