After a down year, the Detroit Lions will be catching a huge break headed into 2026.
With a 9-8 record, the Lions managed to still secure a fourth-place home and away set up for the 2026 season. It's a wild concept to think about when seeing that the Carolina Panthers made the postseason with an 8-9 record, but those are the breaks when you play in the NFC North.
Detroit is going to be given plenty of room to breathe next year with their opponents now set, which is a big relief after a tough schedule left them dazed and confused. They have the talent to have won those games on paper, but the schedule makers were not taking into consideration just how porous their offensive line and secondary would end up being by the end of the season.
Lions' 2026 opponents set after fourth-place finish
Home opponents:
Chicago Bears (2025 record: 11-6, won division)
Green Bay Packers (2025 record: 9-7-1)
Minnesota Vikings (2025 record: 9-8)
Dallas Cowboys (2025 record: 7-9-1)
New York Giants (2025 record: 4-13)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2025 record: 8-9)
Cleveland Browns (2025 record: 5-12)
Pittsburgh Steelers (2025 record: 10-7)
Road opponents:
Bears
Packers
Vikings
Philadelphia Eagles (2025 record: 11-6, won division)
Washington Commanders (2025 record: 5-12)
Los Angeles Rams (2025 record: 12-5)
Baltimore Ravens (2025 record: 8-9)
Cincinnati Bengals (2025 record: 6-11)
Kansas City Chiefs (2025 record: 6-11)
The Lions will have their hands full if the Bears improve offensively this offseason, but they shouldn't have as many issues with the Packers or Vikings headed into 2026. Micah Parsons will likely be out to begin the year, which is a huge blow to Green Bay's greatest strength: their defense. Minnesota is also without a clear answer at quarterback headed into the upcoming season, which leaves them vulnerable.
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Detroit's largest breaks come from their home schedule, with visits from the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns in 2026. Pittsburgh might still have Aaron Rodgers in tow, but it's unclear whether he should really be feared by that point. They're generally aging, as well, so it should be easier to face them next year.
On the road, Detroit might still have their hands full. The Eagles are likely to revamp their offense after a woeful season on that front, same as the Commanders with a healthy Jayden Daniels. The Cincinnati Bengals will probably still be struggling with so many holes to fill on their roster, while the Chiefs are in a similar position without Patrick Mahomes to likely begin the season.
Detroit has a few key holes to fill as well, namely at their OC position in addition to their offensive line and on their defense. But, they should be in very good shape in 2026 if they fill those roles correctly.