Schedule’s Here, Predictions Are In, and Yes We’re Already Overthinking Week 10
The Lions’ 2026 schedule is out, the FanDuel odds are posted, and it’s officially time for the annual tradition of making way-too-early predictions that will look absolutely ridiculous by October. But hey, that’s what May is for in Allen Park.
For the fifth straight year, we’re breaking down every single game on Detroit’s slate. And while we’ve missed on plenty of individual matchups over the years, our track record on overall records isn’t terrible. Which is probably the most Lions fan thing ever: cautiously optimistic about our ability to predict cautious optimism.
This year’s schedule looks softer than usual. The Lions are projected to have the easiest strength of schedule in the NFL, which either means we’re finally catching a break or the football gods are setting up something truly devastating. FanDuel has Detroit as favorites to win the NFC North again, playoff locks at -215, and legitimate Super Bowl contenders at +1700.
So what are we thinking for 2026? Here’s how we see all 18 weeks playing out.
Week 1: Saints at Ford Field
New Orleans isn’t as bad as they might look on paper, but Detroit’s going to be motivated to start this thing right. The Saints finished 2025 strong, winning four of their final five, so they could surprise some people. But the Lions don’t drop their home opener. Not after the way last season ended.
Lions win, 1-0
Week 2: Thursday Night at Buffalo
This might be the toughest game on the entire schedule, and we get it in Week 2 on a short week in a brand new stadium with a rowdy crowd. The Bills’ offense with DJ Moore is going to test Detroit’s defense in ways that feel uncomfortably familiar. Think back to that 2025 Week 3 Monday night game at Baltimore and you’ll understand the vibe here.
Getting Buffalo early might actually be a blessing, but stepping into their house on Thursday night primetime feels like too much to overcome this soon.
Lions lose, 1-1
Week 3: Aaron Glenn Returns to Ford Field
Remember when Ben Johnson came back to Detroit and the Lions dropped 52 on his Bears? Yeah, we’re getting those vibes for Aaron Glenn’s homecoming. If Glenn is truly following Dan Campbell’s blueprint in New York, the Jets won’t be competitive until halfway through 2026 at best.
This feels like a statement game waiting to happen.
Lions win, 2-1
Week 4: Sunday Night in Carolina
The Lions return to Carolina for the first time since they were allegedly forced to play on unsafe field conditions. The Panthers won the NFC South in 2025, albeit at 8-9, so they’ll have some confidence in their first Sunday Night Football appearance in a decade.
But Detroit won’t overlook them, and Mike Tirico and Cris Collinsworth will have plenty to rave about.
Lions win, 3-1
Week 5: Cardinals in the Desert
New Cardinals coach Mike LaFleur might get some intel from his brother Matt, but it won’t be enough to fix what’s arguably the worst roster on Detroit’s schedule. This is the Drew Petzing and Greg Dortch revenge game, assuming the Lions aren’t already looking ahead to their bye week.
Lions win, 4-1
Week 6: Bye Week Blues
Since 2018, the Lions have had a Week 6 or earlier bye six times. Early bye weeks stink, but at least it gives them extra time to prepare for what comes next. And what comes next is the real season starting.
Week 7: Packers at Ford Field
After losing to the Packers twice in 2025, this date should be circled in red on every calendar in Allen Park. The bye week prep should help, but the Lions are only 2-3 after bye weeks under Campbell. Still, this feels like the perfect setup for revenge.
Lions win, 5-1
Week 8: Vikings at Ford Field
Getting swept by Minnesota in 2025 was unforgivable, and this is Detroit’s chance to right that wrong. By this point, Cade Mays should be established at center, which will be crucial against Brian Flores’ defense. But this also feels like a potential letdown after a big divisional win the week before.
We’ll split the difference and say Drew Petzing gets the better of his first battle with Flores.
Lions lose, 5-2
Week 9: Miami Road Trip
Remember those joint practices in 2025 where Aidan Hutchinson single-handedly destroyed Miami’s entire offense? The Dolphins added rookie Kayden Proctor, but that’s not nearly enough to fix their offensive line issues. And thankfully, this game is in November, not the middle of summer.
Lions win, 6-2
Week 10: Patriots in Germany
International games are always weird, and something about this matchup feels like a trap. Two tough teams battling overseas is essentially a coin flip, but Detroit’s resilience under Campbell gives them the edge in a tight one. There will be plenty of German beer to either celebrate or drown sorrows.
Lions win, 7-2
Week 11: Buccaneers at Ford Field
Coming home from Germany to face another tough opponent feels like too much. Tampa Bay with their veteran core and playoff experience could be the team that finally breaks Detroit’s home cooking. This would be the Lions’ first loss to an NFC South team this season.
Lions lose, 7-3
Week 12: Thanksgiving Tradition
Ben Johnson’s record against his old team drops to 0-3 as the Lions get back on track and give Detroit something to be thankful for. The Bears might have new tricks, but Ford Field on Thanksgiving belongs to the Lions.
Lions win, 8-3
Week 13: Falcons Road Test
Atlanta fired their coach despite being an ascending team, and that kind of organizational shake-up usually sets clubs back. These NFC South teams are hard to predict, but new head coach Kevin Stefanski might still be figuring things out by December.
Lions win, 9-3
Week 14: Titans at Ford Field
Another first-year head coach in Robert Saleh, another team dealing with transition. Detroit surpasses last year’s win total before Christmas and continues rolling at Ford Field.
Lions win, 10-3
Week 15: Sunday Night in Minnesota
In Minnesota, right around Christmas, on primetime television. What could go wrong? Everything, probably. But Drew Petzing should be better prepared for his second meeting with Flores, and this could be his best-called game of the season.
We’ll go with experience over environment.
Lions win, 11-3
Week 16: Monday Night vs. Giants
Detroit nearly lost to a bad Giants team in 2025, so we’re not overlooking New York, especially with John Harbaugh now running the show. But Monday Night Football at Ford Field should provide enough juice to avoid any upset nonsense. The home crowd gets a nice holiday gift in Detroit’s final regular season home game.
Finally getting some respect from the schedule gods and I’m here for it. This team has the right coach, the right GM, and honestly the right vibe to make a real run. That 13-win prediction doesn’t feel crazy to me at all.
Look I want to believe this as much as anyone but we’ve had favorable schedules before and found ways to mess it up. That Week 11 Buccaneers prediction feels way too confident, and coming off Germany? That’s exactly when bad things happen to us.
The difference between now and all those years of heartbreak is we actually have competent people running this thing. Holmes and Campbell aren’t perfect but they know what they’re doing, and that matters more than any soft schedule ever could.