The 2026 Detroit Lions schedule has been released, and it's a doozy. While the NFL claims it's an 'easy' schedule, I beg to differ. Here's why:
Divisional Road Game Cluster: The Lions are facing a brutal ending to their season, with three divisional road games in their final four games. This is a common theme for Detroit, which has had its fair share of sports luck. Playing in Chicago and Green Bay in late December and early January is not ideal, and it's a tough ask for any team.
Early Bye Week: The bye week is scheduled for Week 6, which is the second-earliest of any team. This could impact the Lions' health later in the season, and it's a bit of a bummer. While it's not the worst placement, it could have been more friendly for the team.
Overseas/Thanksgiving Scheduling: The Germany game and Thanksgiving game are scheduled back-to-back, which is a recipe for disaster. Three football games in 12 days is not ideal for players' bodies, and the international travel adds to the challenge.
Lack of Primetime Home Games: The Lions are growing in popularity, so it's a bit disappointing that they only host one primetime game at home. With a 9-8 record last year, they deserve more exposure.
Thanksgiving Boredom: The Lions have had fun Thanksgiving games in the past, but lately, it's been a bit of a snooze fest. Ever since 2007, the Lions have hosted an NFC North team 13 times, and 65% of those games have been against the Packers, Bears, or Vikings. It's time to mix things up!
In my opinion, the NFL could have done a better job scheduling the Lions. The team deserves more support and a more balanced schedule. While the schedule may not be the worst, it's certainly not the best. The Lions have had their fair share of challenges, and it's time for a break.
What do you think? Is the 2026 Detroit Lions schedule a fair one? Let me know in the comments below.
