Another day, another opportunity to include an entry in our superlative series on the Detroit Lions’ 2026 schedule. Over the course of this week, we’ve broken 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. And today, we reach the conclusion of this series.
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
- Game we’re most convinced is a loss
Today’s superlative has us each picking the game on the schedule we’re most
convinced is a win for the Lions in 2026.
Game we’re most convinced is a win
Al Karsten: Week 5 @ Arizona Cardinals
Week 5 in the desert against the woebegone Cardinals feels like Detroit’s safest win on paper.
Coming off a Sunday Night Football matchup in Carolina and heading into the bye week, this could easily become a trap game for some teams. But Dan Campbell has consistently kept his team focused in these situations, and the Lions should handle business against an overmatched Arizona squad. It will also mark Drew Petzing’s return to Arizona against his former defensive coordinator counterpart, Nick Rallis, while the Lions get their first matchup of the season against one of the LaFleur brothers.
Brandon Knapp: Week 5 @ Arizona Cardinals
The starting QB for the Cardinals currently is Jacoby Brissett, or is it? Brissett is currently sitting out due to his contract, so the quarterback could be rookie Carson Beck. It won’t matter who is at quarterback; this team isn’t that good overall. Lions’ new OC Drew Petzing can defeat his former team with ease, knowing the staff and players. The Cardinals also play three playoff teams before this matchup, so they could still be searching for their first win of the season.
Erik Schlitt: Week 3 vs. New York Jets
There are probably six games on the Lions’ schedule where I very much expect them to secure a win, but getting the Jets early in the season feels like a significant advantage. Sorry, Aaron Glenn, but you may get the same treatment Ben Johnson did when he returned to Ford Field.
Jeremy Reisman: Week 3 vs. New York Jets
I’m sorry, but the Jets are terrible. They still lack a playable roster, and by Week 3, they won’t have gotten their act together. I love Aaron Glenn, and I’m not counting out an eventual turnaround of the Jets, but that was a full foundational rebuild, and that’s going to take at least another half-season before it starts looking good again.
John Whiticar: Week 3 vs. New York Jets
If Detroit loses this game, there will be justifiable panic. There is frankly no way that Detroit should lose this game. That Jets offense is terrible on paper, while the defense has jettisoned most of their stars. No matter how familiar Aaron Glenn is with Detroit’s scheme, that should not offset the massive talent difference.
Morgan Cannon: Week 1 vs. New Orleans Saints
I think Dan Campbell has his guys juiced up for the season-opener against his former home as a coach. Add in the fact that the Lions are at home, and the betting line could get pretty lopsided when it’s all said and done.
Ryan Mathews: Week 1 vs. New Orleans Saints
The big moves made by the Saints this offseason included paying $146 million to guard David Edwards, running back Travis Etienne Jr., and linebacker Kaden Ellis. It’s hard to see how the Saints improved much since last season, and this roster still feels very much like a below-average football team.
Getting them in Week 1 at Ford Field is an opportunity for the Lions to be comfortably tested, but this game should end up in Detroit starting the season 1-0.
