We’re again with one other entry in our superlative sequence on the Detroit Lions’ 2026 schedule. For the remainder of this week, we’re breaking down a distinct angle of Detroit’s schedule on daily basis, with every of us on workers providing our distinctive perspective on what the schedule makers have put collectively for the Lions.
Here’s a have a look at our earlier entries to this point:
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Today’s superlative has us taking a look at the most anticipated matchups we’re wanting ahead to this season.
Most anticipated matchup
Erik Schlitt: Week 7 vs. Green Bay Packers
Getting swept by the Packers final season stung, and Week 7 will probably be the Lions’ first alternative to get again to their successful methods in the NFC North. With the game being nationally televised as FOX’s game of the week and this being the Lions’ first NFC North game of the season, I absolutely count on Ford Field to be leaping.
Morgan Cannon: Week 12 vs. Chicago Bears
Without a doubt, it’s Thanksgiving. Chicago followers are feeling themselves proper now, and rightfully so. They are the defending NFC North Champions for the time being. The complete world will probably be watching, and the Lions ought to seize the alternative to let the world know who runs the North.
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Al Karsten: Week 2 @ Buffalo Bills
The early-season heavyweight struggle with the Bills and Josh Allen—the third assembly between the two groups in 5 seasons—throughout the opening of Highmark Stadium on “Thursday Night Football” is definitely the spiciest game on the schedule.
Containing the minotaur that’s Allen will probably be Detroit’s hardest problem from the early slate of video games. A win would carry an identical feeling to final season’s primetime victory over the Ravens in Baltimore, when the Lions lastly obtained over the hump towards one other AFC powerhouse that beforehand had their quantity.
Brandon Knapp: Week 2 @ Buffalo Bills
The Lions haven’t overwhelmed the Bills in twenty years. The final time these two groups performed, it was the Lions’ finest likelihood to win, however the accidents piled up, and so they got here up quick. Hopefully at Week 2 there isn’t a drastic change to the roster. If all palms are on deck, it’s a very good early check for Detroit to attempt to spoil the new stadium opening for the Bills.
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Jeremy Reisman: Week 2 @ Buffalo Bills
Buffalo has humbled the Dan Campbell-led Lions twice to this point. And I would like revenge on them. In lots of methods, this appears like the Ravens Week 3 “Monday Night Football” game final 12 months. It’s one other likelihood to show your self towards a prime AFC staff, and if the Lions might do it in primetime throughout the debut of Buffalo’s new stadium, it will be an excellent begin to the season.
John Whiticar: Week 2 @ Buffalo Bills
If you need to be the finest, that you must beat the finest. There’s an argument about whether or not Buffalo is an elite staff or not, however Josh Allen has confirmed to be a nightmare matchup, single-handedly main Buffalo to a win over Detroit in 2024. This ought to be one more shootout.
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Ryan Mathews: Week 9 @ Miami Dolphins
Week in and week out, the Lions have my rooting curiosity, however this game proper right here… that is going to check simply how ardent my fandom actually is. This offseason, whereas the Packers misplaced the finest quarterback on their roster, the Dolphins signed the most proficient one they’ve had since Dan Marino retired in 1999. Now, all the things Miami has finished since signing Malik Willis has been baffling at finest, in order that bodes properly for Detroit’s probabilities on this one.