Detroit Lions schedule: Games, dates, TV channels, predictions for 2026 season
Jacob CamenkerThe Detroit Lions entered the 2025 NFL season expected to be a Super Bowl contender. Instead, the team fell well short of expectations, going 9-8 and failing to make the playoffs for the first time since 2022.
Detroit's shortcomings prompted the team to make changes to its offensive staff. Offensive coordinator John Morton was fired after just one season in his role as Ben Johnson's replacement and former Arizona Cardinals offensive coordinator Drew Petzing was hired to replace him.
Will that be enough to reinvigorate a Lions offense that sagged to fifth in points per game after ranking first in the category under Johnson's tutelage in 2025? A reconstructed offensive line featuring newly-signed center Cade Mays and first-round tackle Blake Miller could go a long way toward solving the blocking issues the plagued the unit last season.
The Lions will also be aided by a schedule that projects to be the NFL's weakest, according to Sharp Football Analysis. That could open the door for Detroit to return to the postseason for the third time in six years under Dan Campbell.
Here's what to know about the Lions' schedule for the 2026 NFL season.
Shop Lions 2026 tickets
Detroit Lions schedule 2026
This section will be updated when the NFL schedule is released on May 14:
- Week 1: vs. New Orleans Saints, 1 p.m. ET, Fox
- Week 2: at Buffalo Bills, 8:15 p.m. ET, Prime Video ("Thursday Night Football")
- Week 3: vs. New York Jets, 1 p.m. ET, Fox
- Week 4: at Carolina Panthers, 8:20 p.m. ET, NBC ("Sunday Night Football")
- Week 5: at Arizona Cardinals, 4:25 p.m. ET, Fox
- Week 6: BYE
- Week 7: vs. Green Bay Packers, 4:25 p.m. ET, Fox
- Week 8: vs. Minnesota Vikings, 1 p.m. ET, Fox
- Week 9: at Miami Dolphins, 1 p.m. ET, Fox
- Week 10: vs. New England Patriots, 9:30 a.m. ET, Fox (in Germany)
- Week 11: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 1 p.m. ET, CBS
- Week 12: vs. Chicago Bears, 1 p.m. ET, CBS (Thanksgiving)
- Week 13: at Atlanta Falcons, 1 p.m. ET, CBS
- Week 14: vs. Tennessee Titans, 1 p.m. ET, Fox
- Week 15: at Minnesota Vikings, 8:20 p.m. ET, NBC ("Sunday Night Football")
- Week 16: vs. New York Giants, 8:15 p.m. ET, ESPN ("Monday Night Football")
- Week 17: at Chicago Bears, 4:25 p.m. ET, Fox
- Week 18: at Green Bay Packers, TBD
Lions record prediction 2026
Record prediction: 12-5
Detroit finished last in the NFC North last season despite posting a 9-8 record. That has turned into a blessing in disguise, as the Lions' last-place schedule has positioned them to have the NFL's weakest schedule.
The Lions still play in the tough-looking NFC North, but their non-divisional games look appetizing. They drew matchups with the AFC East and NFC South as part of the NFL's rotating schedule. That will allow them to play teams like the Dolphins, Falcons, Jets, Panthers and Saints, all of whom are projected to have losing records.
The Lions also get favorable-looking home matchups with the Giants and Titans as well as a winnable road date with the Cardinals. That should position them to earn double-digit wins and contend for the NFC North title – provided Petzing is able to quickly install his offense and help Detroit avoid the pitfalls it endured during its up-and-down second half of last season.
Lions home opponents 2026
- Chicago Bears
- Green Bay Packers
- Minnesota Vikings
- New England Patriots
- New Orleans Saints
- New York Giants
- New York Jets
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Tennessee Titans
Lions away opponents 2026
- Chicago Bears
- Green Bay Packers
- Minnesota Vikings
- Arizona Cardinals
- Atlanta Falcons
- Buffalo Bills
- Carolina Panthers
- Miami Dolphins
Super Bowl 61 odds
Our editors independently choose our recommendations. Some content is produced with paid support from a third party, however our editorial decisions remain independent. If you buy through our links, the USA TODAY Network may earn a commission. Prices and availability may change.
Gambling involves risk. Please only gamble with funds that you can comfortably afford to lose. While we do our utmost to offer good advice and information we cannot be held responsible for any loss that may be incurred as a result of gambling. We do our best to make sure all the information that we provide on this site is correct. However, from time to time mistakes will be made and we will not be held liable. Please check any stats or information if you are unsure how accurate they are. No guarantees are made with regards to results or financial gain. All forms of betting carry financial risk and it is up to the individual to make bets with or without the assistance of information provided on this site and we cannot be held responsible for any loss that may be incurred as a result of following the betting tips provided on this site. Past performances do not guarantee success in the future and betting odds fluctuate from one minute to the next. The material contained on this site is intended to inform, entertain and educate the reader and in no way represents an inducement to gamble legally or illegally or any sort of professional advice.
Gannett may earn revenue from sports betting operators for audience referrals to betting services. Sports betting operators have no influence over nor are any such revenues in any way dependent on or linked to the newsrooms or news coverage. Terms apply, see operator site for Terms and Conditions. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, help is available. Call the National Council on Problem Gambling 24/7 at 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ, OH), 1-800-522-4700 (CO), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN). Must be 21 or older to gamble. Sports betting and gambling are not legal in all locations. Be sure to comply with laws applicable where you reside. It is your sole responsibility to act in accordance with your local laws.