Despite an "easier" schedule, the Detroit Lions are staring down a tough road that includes a major end-of-year trip against NFC North opponents and a brutal stretch following their Week 6 bye. That was all by design, according to Detroit Football Network's Justin Rogers, so the Lions are clearly up for the challenge that lies ahead.
It's way too soon to say which games the Lions have any sort of advantage in, especially since even the "weaker" squads on their schedule drafted well and didn't have totally disastrous respective offseasons.
But, we'll dive into each game and predict a win or loss for each of the Lions' upcoming 17 games, and provide a final record prediction which should dictate whether or not the team wins the NFC North again.
Game by game predictions for Lions' 2026 schedule
Week 1: Lions v. Saints, September 13th, 1pm EST
New Orleans made some moves this offseason, bringing in Travis Etienne Jr. and drafting a top wide receiver in Jordan Tyson. If Tyler Shough can actually take another leap from his solid rookie season with the Saints, they could be a sneakily strong offense in the NFC South. Their defense could be a question mark, though, with Cam Jordan having not re-signed with the team.
They still have Chase Young around, and Kool-Aid McKinstry was a solid CB for them in 2025, but it doesn't feel like they have an overall dominant defense - at least, not one that could contain the Lions. However, they can certainly make things interesting in Detroit's first regular season game featuring a starting line of Penei Sewell at left tackle and rookie Blake Miller at right.
Prediction: Lions win
Week 2: Lions at Buffalo Bills, September 17, 8:15pm EST
Buffalo has a very difficult schedule, and they'll be coming off a season opener against the Houston Texans. That defense is smothering, and probably not one that the Lions can get anywhere close to in comparison. Still, the Bills are likely going to be looking to bounce back in this contest if they're unable to win against Houston's defensive front.
Detroit, on the other hand, can take advantage of the shakiness that exists for the Bills' run defense. They brought on Jim Leonhard to take over their defense this season, though, while also signing veteran Bradley Chubb to a deal. So, they might look a little more solid in that area than in previous seasons. If Jahmyr Gibbs can make something shake in this game, it should be a solid win for Detroit. But, we're going to bet on a much-improved Bills defense beating the Lions here.
Prediction: Lions loss
Week 3: Lions vs. New York Jets, September 27, 1pm EST
Detroit will be coming off ten days rest, while the Jets will have just come off a game against the Green Bay Packers. The Lions feel like the obvious pick here. Detroit has the more-established offense, although they'll be tested by the Jets' pass rusher room. Additionally, New York doesn't have a strong enough secondary to combat Jameson Williams and Amon-Ra St. Brown.
Aaron Glenn takes a second-straight L in the NFC North in this game.
Prediction: Lions win
Week 4: Lions at Carolina Panthers, October 4, 8:20pm EST
The Cade Mays bowl!
In all seriousness, this could be a fun one between two bubbling offenses in primetime. Bryce Young shook off some of the negativity around his game thanks to a surprising postseason push in 2025, which almost led to a shocking upset win over the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC Wild Card round.
We'll go with the Lions here as the Panthers offensive line just lost Mays to Detroit, and they could still be rusty in the trenches. Young can use his legs as a weapon, but Detroit's defensive line should be able to contain his game.
Prediction: Lions win
Week 5: Lions at Arizona Cardinals, October 11, 4:35pm EST
Excuse us for exhausting the bit, but...the Drew Petzing bowl!
Petzing will return with the Lions' offense in tow against his former team, and this should be another obvious win. Arizona is one of few teams this season who feel like they'll be obviously tanking for a deep quarterback class in 2027. Detroit should not fear Carson Beck, Gardner Minshew II, or Jacoby Brissett.
Prediction: Lions win
Week 6: BYE
Week 7: Lions vs. Green Bay Packers, October 25, 4:25pm EST
The Lions' first divisional game comes after their bye week, and the Packers will be arriving to this contest without that same level of rest. Historically, though, Detroit has not been great following a bye week, so you wonder if they'll look any fresher or more dominant with that extra prep time.
The Packers may not have Micah Parsons back for this game, but they'll have newly-signed Javon Hargrave in the fold and ready to wreak some havoc on the Lions' offensive line. Green Bay's line had health issues that impacted their playoff run last year, so you wonder how viable they'll be to stand firm against Detroit's revamped defensive line.
We'll give the advantage to Detroit here, especially with home field advantage in play.
Prediction: Lions win
Week 8: Lions vs. Minnesota Vikings, November 1, 1pm EST
Minnesota will have a new signal caller in the fold this year, and he's far better than J.J. McCarthy was in 2025. And, we can't really talk, considering McCarthy beat the Lions twice!
Murray will present an issue for Detroit in a few ways. He's speedy outside of the pocket, and he'll have a legitimately good offensive line in front of him this year. Kevin O'Connell is working his magic with his new QB as we speak, and that should strike some fear into the NFC North. While Murray probably won't be the top slinger in the division, he'll be far better than what Minnesota was working with last year.
This could be a tough one for Detroit, as Minnesota's defense and now threatening offense could catch the Lions off-balance.
Prediction: Lions loss
Week 9: Lions at Miami Dolphins, November 8, 1pm EST
The Dolphins, like the Cardinals, don't seem to be doing anything but tanking this year. They drafted fine, but they lost a ton of talent in free agency and via trade, and have Malik Willis as their unproven QB1 for 2026. Detroit should not struggle in this contest, despite it being a road game. It could also be a sneaky opportunity to see if they won out by taking Miller in the 1st round, instead of trading up for Kadyn Proctor.
Prediction: Lions win
Week 10: Lions vs. New England Patriots, November 15, 9:30am EST (Munich)
Detroit's "home" game will be more of a homecoming for St. Brown, who speaks German and represents the country on his helmet every week. New England's defense is going to have a hard time containing him, assuming he's a ball of energy.
Of course, the Patriots' secondary is fierce: Christian Gonzalez is a rising defensive star, while Kevin Byard is coming off a seven interception year for New England. Oh, and Carlton Davis III will be getting his first chance to make Detroit pay for not negotiating with him in free agency back in 2025. Fun!
In all seriousness, the Patriots are much better than what their competition from last year would indicate. Inconsistency on their offensive line led to their downfall in the Super Bowl, and that's an area they're hoping to have solved by this point in the year. Detroit might be facing down their strongest competition in this game. If New England's line woes are fixed by then, Detroit's in trouble.
Prediction: Lions lose
READ MORE: Bold take from Jeremy Fowler should get Lions fans on their feet
Week 11: Lions vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers, November 22, 1pm EST
The Buccaneers' defense is similarly strong, but Detroit should be able to bounce back in this one if they can consistently get to Baker Mayfield. He's an excellent quarterback at times, but he can also be extremely turnover prone if forced to roam from the pocket enough times. We saw that strategy work out nicely for Detroit in 2025, even with a make-shift defense.
Sure, Al-Quadin Muhammad and Alex Anzalone will be playing with an extra motor in this one, but this feels more like a battle between defenses than a shootout.
Prediction: Lions win
Week 12 (Thanksgiving): Lions vs. Chicago Bears, November 26, 1pm EST
Detroit's Thanksgiving game last year was so depressing, my tastebuds stopped working.
Another stinker in this game, and there will be some serious questions brewing about the Lions' ability to still win the NFC North (remember, we have the Lions losing to Minnesota earlier in their schedule). Chicago, though, is due for some major regression. You couldn't escape jokes about how the Bears were the epitome of "he can't keep getting away with this!" thanks to their sheer luck in clutch moments.
The Bears, and Ben Johnson, will face the music once again in this contest.
Prediction: Lions win
Week 13: Lions at Atlanta Falcons, December 6, 1pm EST
The Falcons are in a weird spot this season, with Kirk Cousins having departed for a role with the Las Vegas Raiders, and as they look to see if Michael Penix Jr. can actually be their QB1 moving forward. Tua Tagovailoa could also compete for the job, which would do wonders for the Lions defense's confidence.
Joking aside, Atlanta's defense has been consistently good for the last few seasons, but their offense is a question mark. A competent quarterback would do wonders for them, as they roster weapons like Drake London and Kyle Pitts. Detroit's offense is probably able to generate more scoring in this one, though.
Prediction: Lions win
Week 14: Lions vs. Tennessee Titans, December 13, 1pm EST
Cam Ward showed flashes of ridiculous accuracy and athleticism in his rookie season, but that can only go so far when the rest of your team is not built to keep up. So, the Titans went all-in on Ward's potential this offseason: they added Carnell Tate, Wan'Dale Robinson, Jermaine Johnson II, John-Franklin Myers, and others in addition to hiring Robert Saleh as their new head coach.
However, it's hard to see them taking a hard bounce up the standings this year. This is a step-by-step process with Ward and Tennessee, and they're not contenders yet. Detroit should be able to get to the Titans' defense.
Prediction: Lions win
Week 15: Lions at Minnesota Vikings, December 20, 8:20pm EST
Here's where things get hairy for the Lions and their schedule. We already predicted the Lions would lose their first game against the Vikings, and we're going with another loss here. Minnesota plays in a covered stadium, which is a plus for the Lions' offense, but their defense will still be coached by Brian Flores by Week 15. He doesn't come and go with the weather.
Flores has had the Lions' number for a few years, and it's hard to envision a world where Kelvin Sheppard is able to out-smart him in this one.
Prediction: Lions lose
Week 16: Lions vs. New York Giants, December 28 (Monday Night Football)
This might be the most fun game of the year for Detroit. New York's in a reboot, with John Harbaugh settled in as their new head coach and as they continue to build around Jaxson Dart. Francis Mauigoa and Arvell Reese were stunningly excellent picks in this year's draft, while Harbaugh also brought in Isaiah Likely from the Baltimore Ravens to fill a hole for New York in their TE room.
They'll also have back a healthy Cam Skattebo and Malik Nabers, and won't be trotting out Jameis Winston at starting quarterback (although, he was cooking the Lions before Gibbs was a hero in their last clash). Both sides of the ball have majorly improved for the Giants, but we'll give the edge to Detroit here assuming their offensive line is on the money.
Prediction: Lions win
Week 17: Lions at Chicago Bears, January 3, 4:25 PM EST
Chicago might be in desperation mode for this game, assuming they do take a downswing throughout this season. This is also an outdoors game, and again, Goff still needs to perform well in these contests to shake that annoying narrative about his inability to play in said games.
But, with an improved line, it's hard to see how the Lions can't win this one. As long as Goff can stay upright, he should be able to feast against the Bears' secondary. That...and, the Bears allowed the sixth-most rushing yards per game in 2025, with 134.5. Gibbs could really change this game.
Prediction: Lions win
Week 18: Lions at Green Bay Packers, January 10, Time TBD
This is the Lions' only shot at gaining really strong control over the NFC North. They must go at least 2-1 over this stretch of three games against divisional competition in order to stay in it. Green Bay should have Parsons back by now, and that could change the chemistry of the game. While it was easy enough to hand a win to Detroit without him on the field, we predict a loss to close out Detroit's season in Green Bay.
Prediction: Lions loss
Final record prediction: 12-5
This is a very, very positive take on this year's schedule. It's best case scenario for Detroit to finish up with the same record they had back in 2023, when they made it to the NFC Championship. This is a very easy schedule, and one a contender should take full advantage of. If the Lions are healthy, there should be no question about their ability to win at least 12 games this season.
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