One other day, one other alternative to incorporate an entry in our superlative sequence on the Detroit Lions’ 2026 schedule. For the remainder of this week, we’re breaking down a special angle of Detroit’s schedule daily, with every of us on employees providing our distinctive perspective on what the schedule makers have put collectively for the Lions.
Right here’s a have a look at our earlier entries to date:
At the moment’s superlative has us figuring out which spot on Detroit’s schedule seems to be to be the most important problem going through the Lions in 2026.
Hardest spot on the schedule
John Whiticar: Week 11 vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
On paper, the sport in Munich in opposition to the Patriots could possibly be tough, however the week after could possibly be worse. Not solely might Detroit be bodily and mentally drained from a tricky highway journey, however the Buccaneers will waltz into Week 11 off their very own bye week. In a impartial atmosphere, Detroit wins this recreation 9 occasions out of ten, however these are unfavorable circumstances.
Morgan Cannon: Week 15 by way of Week 18
From December 20 by way of the remainder of the season is definitely the hardest stretch for me. In three of the ultimate 4 weeks, the Lions will probably be on the highway going through every divisional opponent, with a house recreation in opposition to the John Harbaugh-led Giants sprinkled into Week 16. Thanks loads for that, schedule-makers. These will probably be 4 actually bodily soccer video games.
Ryan Mathews: Again-to-back divisional highway video games to shut out the season
Have a look at this schedule and there’s any variety of spots you possibly can establish as being robust. Week 2 on the highway in Buffalo on the unveiling of their new stadium. Week 11 has the Lions touring over 4,000 miles again from Germany to tackle a Tampa Bay Buccaneers staff coming off their bye week. However the hardest spot on this schedule must be closing out the 12 months with back-t0-back divisional video games on the highway—in opposition to who I view to be the Lions largest competitors in profitable the NFC North.
Erik Schlitt: From Germany to Thanksgiving in 12 days
The Patriots and Bucs will probably be two of essentially the most difficult opponents on the Lions’ 2026 schedule, so getting them in Germany and on the rapid return, respectively, will probably be a tricky problem. Then, once you add in a recreation in opposition to Ben Johnson and the Bears on a brief week on Thanksgiving, and this stretch ought to be daunting.
Jeremy Reisman: 3 video games in 12 days
Apparently, the Lions didn’t care about not having a bye after the Germany recreation, however I do. Detroit taking part in three video games in 12 days is just not something irregular for the Lions over Thanksgiving, however the worldwide journey complicates every little thing. To make issues worse, all three of these video games ought to be robust: the Patriots are the AFC’s reigning champs, the Buccaneers—who will probably be coming off a by—at all times play Detroit robust (significantly on protection), and the Bears are going to be hungry on Thanksgiving.
Al Karsten: Twelve days. Three video games. Two nations.
Detroit’s brutal Week 10-12 stretch that includes the Patriots in Germany, the Buccaneers, and the Bears on Thanksgiving is definitely essentially the most tough logistical portion of the schedule. All three opponents are able to giving the Lions their finest shot whereas testing Detroit’s toughness, preparation, endurance, and psychological and bodily fortitude in a condensed stretch.
This would be the first worldwide recreation of Dan Campbell’s tenure as head coach, and Thanksgiving has traditionally been a tough hurdle for the franchise no matter teaching employees. The Lions might want to maintain the pedal to the steel all through this abbreviated gauntlet to keep away from an unprepared no-show efficiency.Going 2-1 throughout this stretch can be a powerful end result.
Brandon Knapp: The stretch from Week 10 by way of Week 12
Patriots by way of Thanksgiving. Three video games in 12 days with abroad journey is tough. Positive, they arrive again with two residence video games, however the Bucs are coming off a bye and will probably be rested heading into Week 11. After three days, it’s time to lace up the cleats once more in opposition to the defending NFC North Champions.
