NEW ORLEANS (AP) — The New Orleans Saints will open the 2009 season at home against the Detroit Lions and will play two Monday Night Football home games.

The NFL released the entire 2009 schedule Tuesday. The Saints open at the Louisiana Superdome on Sunday, Sept. 13 against the Lions, who last year became the first team in NFL history to post an 0-16 record.

The schedule also includes Monday Night Football home games against the Atlanta Falcons on Nov. 2 and the New England Patriots on Nov. 30.

The Saints will also play a Saturday night game, on Dec. 19, against the Dallas Cowboys. That game will start at 7:20 p.m. and be televised by The NFL Network.

Also, The Dallas Cowboys will open their new $1.1 billion stadium in a nationally televised Sunday night game against the New York Giants on Sept. 20.

The NFL released its complete 2009 regular-season schedule Tuesday. The always-popular Cowboys lead all teams with six scheduled nationally televised games, even without Terrell Owens.

Reigning Super Bowl champion Pittsburgh meets division rival Baltimore twice in five weeks late in the season after they faced off in the AFC title game. They play Nov. 29 and Dec. 27.

On Oct. 11, the Patriots take on Denver and former offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, now the Broncos’ coach. New England renews its rivalry with the Colts on Nov. 15. The NFL had already announced the opening weekend’s prime-time games. The Steelers begin their title defense Thursday, Sept. 10 against the Titans, while the first Monday night game features the Patriots — in what they hope is Tom Brady’s return — against the Bills, in Owens’ debut.