Detroit Lions’ 2022 opponents now known after Week 16 loss

With a last place finish in the NFC North clinched, the Detroit Lions know their opponents for the 2022 season.

With Sunday’s loss to the Atlanta Falcons and the Chicago Bears comeback win over the Seattle Seahawks, the Detroit Lions clinched a last place finish in the NFC North. While that’s not a breaking news development, it is notable in one way.

With that last place finish clinched, the Lions now know who all their opponents will be next season.

In 2022, the NFC North teams will play the teams in the AFC East in cross-conference and the NFC East within the NFC. Sunday’s results clinched last place for the Seahawks in the NFC West and the Carolina Panthers in the NFC South. Based on sequential matchups with those divisions (first place team places first place team, etc.) and the NFC North, that means the Lions will play the Seahawks and the Panthers next season (h/t to Lions Wire).

The 17th game schedule matrix matches up the NFC North with the AFC South in the same sequential fashion for 2022. So that means the Lions will play host to the Jacksonville Jaguars, who also clinched last place on Sunday.

Detroit Lions 2022 opponents now fully known

Via FB Schedules, here’s a look at the Lions’ 2022 opponents. They of course play all three of their NFC North rivals at home and on the road.

Home (9): Minnesota Vikings, Green Bay Packers, Chicago Bears, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Football Team, Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, Jacksonville Jaguars, Seattle Seahawks

Road (8): Minnesota Vikings, Green Bay Packers, Chicago Bears, Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, New York Jets, New England Patriots, Carolina Panthers

The sequence of games and the bye week for the Lions (and the rest of the league) will be known when the NFL has its official schedule release, which usually comes in May.