After the chances seemed pretty good, it now looks very unlikely the Detroit Lions will play an international game during the 2022 season.
The Detroit Lions last played a game overseas in 2015, and with the expansion of the NFL’s International Series to Germany starting next season the odds that stretch without an international game would end seemed good.
On Monday morning the league announced the “home” teams for the set of international games in the 2022 season.
"We are very excited to be staging five games outside the United States in 2022, and thank the clubs for their continued commitment to growing the sport internationally,” said Peter O’Reilly, NFL Executive Vice President, Club Business and League Events. “Our fans in Germany, Mexico and the UK can look forward to seeing some of the most iconic names and biggest stars in the League and enjoying an incredible series of events.”"
NFL has announced the five home teams for the 2022 International Series.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) February 28, 2022
• London (Tottenham): Packers, Saints.
• London (Wembley): Jaguars.
• Munich: Buccaneers.
• Mexico City: Cardinals.
So the Lions will not be the home team for an international game next season, which isn’t all that surprising. The Jaguars are among their home opponents for 2022, but as London’s de facto home team Jacksonville was not going to be the road team to the Lions (or anyone else) in an overseas game.
Detroit Lions have one chance to be scheduled for international game in 2022
Looking at the Lions’ road opponents for next season, one will be hosting an international game–the division rival Packers. It seems unlikely the NFL would willingly put a division game overseas, but it could happen.
With the expansion to a 17-game regular season schedule and the addition of Germany as an international site, it’s a matter of time before the Lions play a game overseas. It just very likely won’t be in 2022 now, and they’ll get a ninth home game that could be surrendered to an international game again in 2024.