The Detroit Lions’ 2026 schedule has been launched, and it’s as soon as once more time to make some way-too-early predictions for the season.
For the fifth season in a row, Jeremy Reisman and I’ve made our game-by-game predictions of the Lions’ schedule. And whereas their particular person recreation predictions haven’t all the time been spot on, now we have a fairly good observe document when predicting the Lions’ total document.
On its floor, the Lions 2026 opponents seems much less daunting than previously few seasons—they’re projected to have the simplest schedule within the NFL—and that could possibly be why, based on the oldsters over at FanDuel Sportsbook, the Lions are as soon as once more the favorites to win the NFC North (+145), make the playoffs (-215), and contend for a Tremendous Bowl (+1700 to win).
So, what are we predicting in 2026? Listed below are our game-by-game predictions for the upcoming season.
Erik: The Saints aren’t as dangerous as they could seem on the floor, however the Lions might be motivated to start out the season out on the suitable foot. Count on Detroit to kick off the season with a way of urgency and maintain enterprise. Lions win (1-0).
Jeremy: The Saints completed 2025 by successful 4 of their final 5 video games, so they might shock some individuals this 12 months, however Detroit isn’t dropping their season opener at residence. Lions win (1-0).
Week 2: Lions at Payments on TNF
Jeremy: The scars from 2024 Thanksgiving nonetheless really feel recent to me, so I would like this recreation dangerous. However that offense–particularly with DJ Moore–is probably going going to provide Detroit’s protection some huge points once more. Throw in a rowdy Payments crowd christening a brand new stadium, and this might arguably be categorised because the hardest recreation on the whole schedule. Lions lose (1-1).
Erik: The Payments are arguably the toughest workforce on the Lions’ schedule, so getting them early is a bonus. Nonetheless, stepping right into a brand-new stadium towards a constant playoff workforce on a Thursday night time in primetime is a frightening problem. I get some 2025 Week 3 at Baltimore on Monday night time vibes with this recreation, however not sufficient to sway my prediction in Could. Lions lose (1-1).
Erik: I’ve a sense Aaron Glenn’s return to Detroit might go about in addition to Ben Johnson’s did, when the Lions dropped 52 factors on a Bears workforce searching for their identification. Lions win (2-1).
Jeremy: It’s the battle of the hot-seat coaches! If Aaron Glenn is really following in Dan Campbell’s footsteps, the Jets received’t be aggressive till halfway by 2026. Simple Lions win (2-1).
Week 4: Lions at Panthers on SNF
Jeremy: The Lions return to Carolina for the primary time since they have been [ALLEGEDLY] compelled to play on unknowingly unsafe situations. Although Panthers followers are sure to be enthusiastic about their first Sunday Night time Soccer look in a decade, the Lions ought to deal with enterprise right here. Lions win (3-1).
Erik: The Panthers received the NFC South in 2025—albeit with an 8-9 document—so they need to have some confidence getting into this primetime recreation, however the Lions received’t take them flippantly, and can give Mike Tirico and Cris Collinsworth a lot to rave about. Lions win (3-1).
Week 5: Lions at Cardinals
Erik: Regardless of probably getting a ton of intel from his brother Matt, I don’t count on new Cardinals coach Mike LaFleur to have “fixed” the Cardinals sufficient to place up an excessive amount of of a battle towards the Lions. Lions win (4-1).
Jeremy: Is that this the Drew Petzing/Greg Dortch revenge recreation or the Roy Lopez revenge recreation? Both approach, that is arguably the worst workforce on the Lions’ schedule, and Detroit ought to prevail, assuming they aren’t looking forward to their bye week. Lions win (4-1).
Jeremy: Since 2018, the Lions have had a bye week in Week 6 or earlier six instances, together with this 12 months. Let’s hope the brand new workforce president places an finish to this.
Erik: Early bye weeks stink, however the primary benefit is that it helps them prep for his or her subsequent opponent.
Week 7: Lions vs. Packers
Erik: After shedding to the Packers twice final season, I count on this date to be circled on the Lions’ calendar, and with the slight benefit of the bye week to assist them put together, I’m projecting the Lions to be able to ship the opposite LaFleur brother a loss. Lions win (5-1).
Jeremy: That is the place the season really begins, and I’d wish to suppose the additional relaxation helps the Lions. However they’re solely 2-3 after the bye week (2-4 in the event you embrace the playoffs) beneath Campbell, and I’m predicting one other flat recreation. Lions lose (4-2).
Week 8: Lions vs. Vikings
Jeremy: Lions use Week 7 as a wake-up name, and don’t repeat final 12 months’s unforgivable sweep by the hands of the Vikings. By this level within the season, Cade Mays can have established himself as a robust heart, which might be essential towards Brian Flores’ protection. Lions win (5-2).
Erik: The Lions get one other likelihood to proper a flawed from final 12 months and take down a division opponent who swept them. Sadly, this seems like a possible letdown recreation after a giant win the week prior. Brian Flores will get the higher of Drew Petzing of their first battle. Lions lose (5-2).
Week 9: Lions at Dolphins
Erik: Bear in mind joint practices in 2025 the place Aidan Hutchinson single-handedly destroyed the whole Dolphins offense? I don’t suppose the addition of rookie Kayden Proctor is sufficient to enhance the offensive line sufficient to maintain that from occurring once more. Lions win (6-2).
Jeremy: Fortunately, this recreation is in November, so Detroit probably received’t must cope with an 85+ diploma day. That’s the one factor that may’ve involved me about this recreation. Lions win (6-2).
Week 10: Lions vs. Patriots in Germany
Jeremy: I simply have a nasty feeling about this recreation. I can’t actually clarify why. Fortunately, there might be loads of beer round to drown my sorrows. Lions lose (6-3).
Erik: Two powerful opponents battling it out abroad is a really tall job for each groups, making this a little bit of a coin flip kind of recreation. Ultimately, I count on the Lions’ resilience to shine by, as they dig deep and pull out a good win. Lions win (7-2).
Week 11: Lions vs. Buccaneers
Erik: Returning residence from Germany, solely to have one other powerful opponent ready for them, is an excessive amount of for the Lions, they usually drop their first recreation to an NFC South workforce. Lions lose (7-3).
Jeremy: Don’t love having to face the Buccaneers recent off a world journey. We’ve but to see how Campbell handles a recreation overseas, however they appear to thrive beneath adversity. Lions win (7-3).
Week 12: Lions vs. Bears on Thanksgiving
Jeremy: #WeOwnTheBears. Lions win (8-3).
Erik: Ben Johnson’s document towards his previous workforce falls to 0-3, because the Lions get again on observe and provides the individuals of Detroit a contented vacation they’ll get pleasure from. Lions win (8-3).
Week 13: Lions at Falcons
Erik: The Falcons have been an ascending workforce earlier than firing their coach this previous offseason, however I’m anticipating that shake-up to set them again sufficient that Detroit ought to have the ability to deal with them. Lions win (9-3).
Jeremy: These NFC South groups are laborious to foretell, and new head coach Kevin Stefanski might have the Falcons’ offense going by December. They might simply as simply be fully out of the playoff race, too. Lions win (9-3).
Week 14: Lions vs. Titans
Jeremy: One other recreation towards a first-year head coach in Robert Saleh. I want it could’ve landed earlier within the schedule, however I’m not all that intimidated by Tennessee’s roster. Detroit surpasses final 12 months’s win whole earlier than Christmas. Lions win (10-3).
Erik: The Lions get one other younger opponent who’s coping with a training change, and just like the others, the Lions ought to have a bonus, particularly at Ford Subject. Lions win (10-3).
Week 15: Lions at Vikings on SNF
Erik: Petzing is healthier ready for his second assembly with Flores, and the Lions’ offensive coordinator delivers his finest known as recreation of the season. Lions win (11-3).
Jeremy: In Minnesota, proper round Christmas. What might go flawed? Lions lose (10-4).
Week 16: Lions vs. Giants on MNF
Jeremy: Detroit almost misplaced to a nasty Giants workforce final 12 months, so I’m not overlooking New York, particularly with John Harbaugh in cost. However I’m hoping the house Monday night time crowd lifts Detroit past any likelihood of an upset. Lions win (11-4).
Erik: Underneath the intense lights of Monday Night time Soccer at Ford Subject is all of the Lions must placed on a present. Lions ship the house crowd away with a pleasant vacation present in Detroit’s final residence recreation of the common season. Lions. Lions win (12-3).
Erik: Ben Johnson lastly breaks the curse and notches a win towards the Lions, as he pulls each trick in his bag to make it occur. Lions lose (12-4).
Jeremy: I’m very curious to see how the Bears deal with shedding their very own Professional Bowl heart to early, sudden retirement. That is going to be a gritty, hard-nosed recreation, and that has usually favored the Lions lately. However with out David Montgomery, Detroit should rediscover their brute working recreation. I’ll give the Bears one right here, as a result of Ben Johnson’s head could actually explode if he will get swept by the Lions once more. Lions lose (11-5).
Week 18: Lions at Packers
Jeremy: This recreation might very effectively be for the division. And whereas taking part in in Lambeau in January was daunting, this recreation can have shades of the 2022 season finale, with Detroit sending Packers followers residence with a significant headache. Lions win (12-5).
Erik: The final time Detroit ended the season in Inexperienced Bay, the Lions delivered a franchise-altering win. This time, they use this recreation to catapult them to a division title and elevate their confidence as they return to the postseason. Lions win (13-4).
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