The NFL makes an event out of whatever they can, and the regular season schedule release is no different. Leaks of certain games, rumors and what-not have now been set aside to the schedule officially coming out, and we now know when the Detroit Lions will play the opponents we already knew about.
Without further ado, let's go game-by-game through the Lions' 2024 regular season schedule, with predictions for each contest.
Detroit Lions 2024 schedule: Game-by-game predictions
Week 1: vs. Los Angeles Rams (Sept. 8, 8:20 p.m. ET-Sunday Night Football)
A rematch of the Wild Card Round game in Detroit last year was a layup for the league to put in prime time this season. The pomp and circumstance of Matthew Stafford returning to town is mostly gone, and the stakes will naturally be lower in a season opener compared to a playoff game. But there may be some residue from the low hit Lions' safety Kerby Joseph had on Rams' tight end Tyler Higbee late in that playoff game, which would add a fresh layer to this game.
This should be another tight game, like the playoff game last year, determined by plays made or not made right to the end.
Prediction: Lions 24, Rams 21
Week 2: vs. Tampa Bay Bay Buccaneers (Sept. 15, 1 p.m. ET)
Another playoff rematch right off the bat for the Lions. They beat the Buccaneers in the Divisional Round last year, and Tampa Bay brought back most everyone from that team.
Ultimately, the prediction for this one is easy. The better team will win, and do so pretty decisively.
Prediction: Lions 28, Buccaneers 13
Week 3: at Arizona Cardinals (Sept. 22, 4:25 p.m. ET)
The Cardinals' rebuild looks to be moving in a nice direction, but any progress they have this year may not be totally reflected in their win total. The Lions are the established good team in this game (which is still an adjustment to say), and a road win in Arizona feels like it can almost be written in stone right now.
Prediction: Lions 31, Cardinals 17
Week 4: vs. Seattle Seahawks (Sept. 30, 8:15 p.m. ET-Monday Night Football)
Lions' defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn has to figure out what it is about Seattle's offense he has had no answer for. But the Seahawks had a coaching change, and University of Washington offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb made the jump to the NFL. So maybe that will help Glenn, but Grubb's system was prolific at the college level and the gap between college and NFL offenses is narrow now.
The Lions clearly seem to be the better team here. But even with the coaching change in Seattle, this feels more difficult to predict than you might think.
Prediction: Seahawks 27, Lions 24