Another day, another opportunity to include an entry in our superlative series on the Detroit Lions’ 2026 schedule. For the rest of this week, we’re breaking down a different angle of Detroit’s schedule every day, with each of us on staff offering our unique perspective on what the schedule makers have put together for the Lions.
Here’s a look at our previous entries so far:
- Most important game or stretch of the season
- Most anticipated matchup
- Biggest “measuring-stick” game
- Toughest stretch on the schedule
- Best spot to make a statement in a nationally-televised game
Today’s superlative has us each picking the game on the schedule we’re most convinced is a loss for the Lions in 2026.
Game we’re most convinced is a loss
Brandon
Knapp: Week 2 @ Buffalo Bills
The Bills are a tough team to play and being the first opponent in their new stadium is going to make it even tougher. The crowd will bring its ‘A’ game, and the Bills should be as healthy as the Lions. Josh Allen is a great QB and on a short week, it might not be enough time to prepare. The only thing that favors the Lions is no snow, so weather can’t be an excuse.
Erik Schlitt: Week 2 @ Buffalo Bills
There are some difficult games on the Lions’ schedule this season, but I think they’re built to have a chance to win all of them. That being said, in the spirit of the question, traveling to Buffalo in Week 2, on a Thursday night, on a day that the Bills will be debuting their brand new stadium—seems like their toughest task right now.
Morgan Cannon: Week 2 @ Buffalo Bills
I hate to admit it, but going into Buffalo and winning against a very motivated Bills team in front of what should be a really raucous crowd is going to be tough. And while the Lions’ linebacking corps is miles ahead of where it was a few years ago when they lost a shootout to the Bills in Detroit, Josh Allen still is a problem.
John Whiticar: Week 2 @ Buffalo Bills
Detroit could certainly win this game, but it feels like a lot is stacked against them. It is a short week, giving them little time to prepare for their road trip to Buffalo. Meanwhile, the Bills will debut their new stadium in front of a wild and ravenous crowd of table smashers. This game is shaping up to be an offensive shootout, and I’m just not sure if the Lions offense will have found their groove this early in the season.
Jeremy Reisman: Week 17 @ Chicago Bears
There is not a single game on the schedule I’m truly convinced the Lions will lose, but if I had to pick one, it’s this one. Games at Soldier Field are always ugly and annoying. And I think Ben Johnson will have Chicago hyped for this one. Plus, I predict them to be the hungrier team, as I expect Detroit to have a significantly better record than the Bears at this point in the season.
Al Karsten: Week 12 vs. Chicago Bears
This has nothing to do with Ben Johnson versus Dan Campbell, and I still believe the Bears could be in for a reality check this season, but it’s difficult to trust the Lions on Thanksgiving at this point.
Detroit is just 1-4 on Thanksgiving under Campbell and has delivered several underwhelming performances during that stretch. Making matters worse, this game will be the team’s third in less than two weeks following matchups in Germany against the Patriots and back home against the Buccaneers.
I expect the Lions to be fully prepared and highly competitive in those first two games, but facing a third competitive opponent in such a condensed window could simply be too much to overcome. The extra rest following Thanksgiving may end up being exactly what the team needs entering Week 13.
Ryan Mathews: Week 11 vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Buccaneers are a good football team that have consistently given the Lions a run for their money over the past few seasons. Detroit will be traveling over 4,000 miles back home from Germany to meet a rested Buccaneers team coming off their bye. Even though this game is at Ford Field, that’s one of the toughest spots a team could face on an NFL schedule.
