Rest differential has become the newest trendy stat when it comes to the NFL schedule. In short, it looks at every game on their schedule and calculates the overall difference in how much extra rest a team has compared to their opponent. For example, if the Lions are playing the Bears on a Sunday afternoon, but Chicago is coming off of a” “Monday Night Football” game and Detroit had played on Sunday the previous week, that’s a +1 rest differential for Detroit, as they had six days rest compared to Chicago’s
five.
The actual importance on this statistic is certainly under debate. Andrew Sharp, who has largely been the reason this stat has taken off, points to some of the winningest teams from previous years have had the best rest differential. Other more scientific studies—admittedly done by the NFL itself—suggest the results of rest differential are largely overblown.
Either way, it’s an interesting way to look at each NFL schedule, because it certainly would make sense that disparity in rest would have some impact on the games.
Looking at the Detroit Lions’ 2026 schedule, their net differential for the season is +1, meaning they have one more day of rest total than their opponents. As you may expect, that lands them right around the middle of the league:
But let’s break down each game to see where the Lions’ advantages and disadvantage lie:
Week 1 vs. Saints — 0 net differential
Obviously, no rest differential for the opening week.
Week 2 at Bills — 0 net differential — Thursday Night Football
Both teams will be operating on short weeks, but equally so. Both teams play at 1 p.m. ET on Sunday in Week 1.
Week 3 vs. Jets — Lions +3 differential
Lions get a mini-bye coming off of Thursday night, while the Jets are playing Sunday-to-Sunday.
Week 4 at Panthers — 0 net differential — Sunday Night Football
Both teams are coming off Sunday games heading into this “Sunday Night Football” matchup.
Week 5 at Cardinals — 0 net differential
Another Sunday-to-Sunday for both teams, although Detroit will be coming off a primetime game.
Week 7 vs. Packers — Lions +7 differential
The Lions get their first divisional game coming out of their bye week, while the Packers are coming off a “Sunday Night Football” game against the Cowboys. This is Detroit’s biggest advantage all year.
Week 8 vs. Vikings — 0 net differential
Week 9 at Dolphins — 0 net differential
Week 10 vs. Patriots — 0 net differential — Munich
Both teams will have an equal chance to acclimate to Germany prior to their matchup.
Week 11 vs. Buccaneers — Lions -7 differential
Not only are the Lions going to have to adjust to life back in the United States, but they’re also catching Tampa Bay coming off of their bye week. It’s unfortunate luck for Detroit, but teams without a bye week after an international game have actually fared quite well recently.
Week 12 vs. Bears — 0 net differential — Thanksgiving
Chicago and Detroit will be dealing with the same short week, only getting three days of rest between Week 11 (Sunday) and Week 12 (Thursday).
Week 13 at Falcons — Lions +3 differential
Detroit’s mini-bye (by request) gives them another advantage heading into Week 13. Atlanta, meanwhile, is coming off a 1 p.m. ET game against the Vikings on the previous Sunday.
Week 14 vs. Titans — 0 net differential
Week 15 at Vikings — Lions -3 differential — Sunday Night Football
Minnesota will have their own mini-bye going into this game, as they play on Thursday in Week 14. Could be a notable advantage on top of having a home crowd for this Sunday night matchup.
Week 16 vs. Giants — 0 net differential — Monday Night Football
Each team will get an extra day of rest, although Detroit will be coming off a Sunday night game compared to New York’s 1 p.m. ET slot the week before.
Week 17 at Bears — Lions -3 differential
Not only are the Lions getting a short week here due to the Monday turnaround, but Chicago gets a mini-bye because they play on Friday (Christmas) the week before.
Week 18 at Packers — Lions +1 differential
While the date and time have not been set for Lions vs. Packers, Green Bay will be coming off of their own Monday night showdown against the Texans the previous week, leaving Detroit with a slight advantage in the season finale.
