The Detroit Lions’ 2026 schedule has been released, and it’s once again time to make some way-too-early predictions for the season.
For the fifth season in a row, Jeremy Reisman and I have made our game-by-game predictions of the Lions’ schedule. And while their individual game predictions have not always been spot on, we have a pretty good track record when predicting the Lions’ overall record.
On its surface, the Lions 2026 opponents looks less daunting than in the past few seasons—they’re projected
to have the easiest schedule in the NFL—and that could be why, according to the folks over at FanDuel Sportsbook, the Lions are once again the favorites to win the NFC North (+145), make the playoffs (-215), and contend for a Super Bowl (+1700 to win).
So, what are we predicting in 2026? Here are our game-by-game predictions for the upcoming season.
Week 1: Lions vs. Saints
Erik: The Saints aren’t as bad as they may appear on the surface, but the Lions will be motivated to start the season out on the right foot. Expect Detroit to kick off the season with a sense of urgency and take care of business. Lions win (1-0).
Jeremy: The Saints finished 2025 by winning four of their last five games, so they could surprise some people this year, but Detroit isn’t dropping their season opener at home. Lions win (1-0).
Week 2: Lions at Bills on TNF
Jeremy: The scars from 2024 Thanksgiving still feel fresh to me, so I want this game bad. But that offense–especially with DJ Moore–is likely going to give Detroit’s defense some big issues again. Throw in a rowdy Bills crowd christening a new stadium, and this could arguably be classified as the toughest game on the entire schedule. Lions lose (1-1).
Erik: The Bills are arguably the hardest team on the Lions’ schedule, so getting them early is a bonus. However, stepping into a brand-new stadium against a consistent playoff team on a Thursday night in primetime is a daunting challenge. I get some 2025 Week 3 at Baltimore on Monday night vibes with this game, but not enough to sway my prediction in May. Lions lose (1-1).
Week 3: Lions vs. Jets
Erik: I have a feeling Aaron Glenn’s return to Detroit could go about as well as Ben Johnson’s did, when the Lions dropped 52 points on a Bears team looking for their identity. Lions win (2-1).
Jeremy: It’s the battle of the hot-seat coaches! If Aaron Glenn is truly following in Dan Campbell’s footsteps, the Jets won’t be competitive until midway through 2026. Easy Lions win (2-1).
Week 4: Lions at Panthers on SNF
Jeremy: The Lions return to Carolina for the first time since they were [ALLEGEDLY] forced to play on unknowingly unsafe conditions. Though Panthers fans are bound to be excited about their first Sunday Night Football appearance in a decade, the Lions should handle business here. Lions win (3-1).
Erik: The Panthers won the NFC South in 2025—albeit with an 8-9 record—so they should have some confidence entering this primetime game, but the Lions won’t take them lightly, and will give Mike Tirico and Cris Collinsworth plenty to rave about. Lions win (3-1).
Week 5: Lions at Cardinals
Erik: Despite likely getting a ton of intel from his brother Matt, I don’t expect new Cardinals coach Mike LaFleur to have “fixed” the Cardinals enough to put up too much of a fight against the Lions. Lions win (4-1).
Jeremy: Is this the Drew Petzing/Greg Dortch revenge game or the Roy Lopez revenge game? Either way, this is arguably the worst team on the Lions’ schedule, and Detroit should prevail, assuming they aren’t looking ahead to their bye week. Lions win (4-1).
Week 6: BYE WEEK
Jeremy: Since 2018, the Lions have had a bye week in Week 6 or earlier six times, including this year. Let’s hope the new team president puts an end to this.
Erik: Early bye weeks stink, but the main advantage is that it helps them prep for their next opponent.
Week 7: Lions vs. Packers
Erik: After losing to the Packers twice last season, I expect this date to be circled on the Lions’ calendar, and with the slight advantage of the bye week to help them prepare, I am projecting the Lions to be ready to deliver the other LaFleur brother a loss. Lions win (5-1).
Jeremy: This is where the season truly begins, and I’d like to think the extra rest helps the Lions. But they’re only 2-3 after the bye week (2-4 if you include the playoffs) under Campbell, and I’m predicting another flat game. Lions lose (4-2).
Week 8: Lions vs. Vikings
Jeremy: Lions use Week 7 as a wake-up call, and don’t repeat last year’s unforgivable sweep at the hands of the Vikings. By this point in the season, Cade Mays will have established himself as a strong center, which will be necessary against Brian Flores’ defense. Lions win (5-2).
Erik: The Lions get another chance to right a wrong from last year and take down a division opponent who swept them. Unfortunately, this feels like a potential letdown game after a big win the week prior. Brian Flores gets the better of Drew Petzing in their first battle. Lions lose (5-2).
Week 9: Lions at Dolphins
Erik: Remember joint practices in 2025 where Aidan Hutchinson single-handedly destroyed the entire Dolphins offense? I don’t think the addition of rookie Kayden Proctor is enough to improve the offensive line enough to keep that from happening again. Lions win (6-2).
Jeremy: Thankfully, this game is in November, so Detroit likely won’t have to deal with an 85+ degree day. That’s the only thing that would’ve concerned me about this game. Lions win (6-2).
Week 10: Lions vs. Patriots in Germany
Jeremy: I just have a bad feeling about this game. I can’t really explain why. Thankfully, there will be plenty of beer around to drown my sorrows. Lions lose (6-3).
Erik: Two tough opponents battling it out overseas is a very tall task for both teams, making this a bit of a coin flip type of game. In the end, I expect the Lions’ resilience to shine through, as they dig deep and pull out a tight win. Lions win (7-2).
Week 11: Lions vs. Buccaneers
Erik: Returning home from Germany, only to have another tough opponent waiting for them, is too much for the Lions, and they drop their first game to an NFC South team. Lions lose (7-3).
Jeremy: Don’t love having to face the Buccaneers fresh off an international trip. We’ve yet to see how Campbell handles a game abroad, but they seem to thrive under adversity. Lions win (7-3).
Week 12: Lions vs. Bears on Thanksgiving
Jeremy: #WeOwnTheBears. Lions win (8-3).
Erik: Ben Johnson’s record against his old team falls to 0-3, as the Lions get back on track and give the people of Detroit a happy holiday they can enjoy. Lions win (8-3).
Week 13: Lions at Falcons
Erik: The Falcons were an ascending team before firing their coach this past offseason, but I’m expecting that shake-up to set them back enough that Detroit should be able to handle them. Lions win (9-3).
Jeremy: These NFC South teams are hard to predict, and new head coach Kevin Stefanski could have the Falcons’ offense going by December. They could just as easily be completely out of the playoff race, too. Lions win (9-3).
Week 14: Lions vs. Titans
Jeremy: Another game against a first-year head coach in Robert Saleh. I wish it would’ve landed earlier in the schedule, but I’m not all that intimidated by Tennessee’s roster. Detroit surpasses last year’s win total before Christmas. Lions win (10-3).
Erik: The Lions get another young opponent who is dealing with a coaching change, and like the others, the Lions should have an advantage, especially at Ford Field. Lions win (10-3).
Week 15: Lions at Vikings on SNF
Erik: Petzing is better prepared for his second meeting with Flores, and the Lions’ offensive coordinator delivers his best called game of the season. Lions win (11-3).
Jeremy: In Minnesota, right around Christmas. What could go wrong? Lions lose (10-4).
Week 16: Lions vs. Giants on MNF
Jeremy: Detroit nearly lost to a bad Giants team last year, so I’m not overlooking New York, especially with John Harbaugh in charge. But I’m hoping the home Monday night crowd lifts Detroit beyond any chance of an upset. Lions win (11-4).
Erik: Under the bright lights of Monday Night Football at Ford Field is all the Lions need to put on a show. Lions send the home crowd away with a nice holiday gift in Detroit’s last home game of the regular season. Lions. Lions win (12-3).
Week 17: Lions at Bears
Erik: Ben Johnson finally breaks the curse and notches a win against the Lions, as he pulls every trick in his bag to make it happen. Lions lose (12-4).
Jeremy: I’m very curious to see how the Bears handle losing their own Pro Bowl center to early, sudden retirement. This is going to be a gritty, hard-nosed game, and that has typically favored the Lions in recent years. But without David Montgomery, Detroit will have to rediscover their brute running game. I’ll give the Bears one here, because Ben Johnson’s head may literally explode if he gets swept by the Lions again. Lions lose (11-5).
Week 18: Lions at Packers
Jeremy: This game could very well be for the division. And while playing in Lambeau in January used to be daunting, this game will have shades of the 2022 season finale, with Detroit sending Packers fans home with a major headache. Lions win (12-5).
Erik: The last time Detroit ended the season in Green Bay, the Lions delivered a franchise-altering win. This time, they use this game to catapult them to a division title and elevate their confidence as they return to the postseason. Lions win (13-4).
