The NFL schedule release is still days away, but the Lions are already making waves in primetime. Amazon Prime dropped word that Detroit will head to Buffalo for Week 2 Thursday Night Football, marking the debut of the Bills’ shiny new stadium. Add that to the annual Thanksgiving showcase and the confirmed Munich game, and we’re already looking at three nationally televised Lions games before we even know what the rest of the 2026 schedule looks like.
But let’s talk real primetime slots. The Lions have been appointment television for three straight years now. Excluding Thanksgiving, here’s how many primetime games the Lions have had each of the past three seasons: 2023: 5, 2024: 6, 2025: 5. The question is whether that streak continues or if Detroit takes a step back in 2026.
The Case for Fewer Primetime Games
Here’s the uncomfortable truth. After a disappointing season, there might be some Lions fatigue creeping in around league offices. Detroit has been the darling story for three years running. The league loves fresh narratives, and teams like Chicago, New England, and Denver could easily steal some of that spotlight.
The 2026 schedule doesn’t exactly scream primetime gold either. Sure, any Packers or Bears matchup is an automatic candidate for the big lights. But look at the rest of Detroit’s slate: Patriots, Saints, Giants, Jets, Buccaneers, Titans, Cardinals, Falcons, Panthers, Dolphins. Outside of maybe New England or Tampa Bay, you’re not exactly looking at ratings juggernauts.
The Bills game is already locked in for Thursday night. Beyond that, you might get one divisional rivalry and maybe one more if the league still believes in the Lions’ drawing power. Four primetime games feels about right.
The Case for Staying Put
Then again, this is still Dan Campbell’s Lions. This is still the team that has captured hearts and eyeballs across the country. One down year doesn’t erase three years of must-see television. Brad Holmes and Campbell have built something special in Allen Park, and the NFL knows it.
The league also knows Detroit travels well on television. Lions fans are loud, loyal, and they show up in numbers that matter to advertisers. If the team bounces back early in 2026, those primetime slots start looking a lot more attractive.
Six games isn’t out of the question if the network executives still believe in what this franchise has become under the current regime.
Four feels like the floor. Six feels like the ceiling. Somewhere in that range is where Detroit lands, and honestly, after decades of irrelevance, complaining about only getting four or five primetime games feels like a good problem to have.
Think the Lions deserve more national spotlight or are you fine with them flying under the radar for a bit? Drop your prediction below.
