Lions' 2025-2026 Season: Key Matchups Revealed
The Detroit Lions had a near-flawless season last year, dropping just two games to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Buffalo Bills. They clinched the top seed in the NFC with a 15-2 record. Now, they're setting their sights on matching that performance in 2025, but their schedule ain't gonna make it easy. That schedule dropped Wednesday night, and it's a doozy.
Kicking off the season is a road trip to face their division rival, the bloody Green Bay Packers. The Lions took all their division games last year, including one at Lambeau Field. Don't expect the Packers to roll over and accept a loss in their home opener against the Lions. This one's gonna be a barn burner.
The very next week, they've got the Chicagos – the Bears – at home. While the Bears might've struggled last season with a 5-12 record, Head Coach Dan Campbell won't have any mercy on his old offensive coordinator, Ben Johnson.
Things heat up in Week 3 when they travel to Baltimore for a Monday Night showdown. That's the first of five prime-time games on their schedule.
In Week 6, they head to Arrowhead Stadium to take on the AFC champion Kansas City Chiefs. The Lions won the last meeting in Kansas City during the 2023 season opener, and the Chiefs ain't gonna forget that anytime soon.
They've got a bye in Week 8, but they return to action with a home game against the Minnesota Vikings. Those Vikings were their primary competition in the division last year, and this game could set the tone for division superiority in 2025.
Back-to-back challenges follow in Weeks 10 and 11, with road games against the Washington Commanders and the Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles. After that, it's back to focusing on the division, as they host the Packers for their annual Thanksgiving Day game in Week 13. Another Thursday game comes in Week 14 against the Dallas Cowboys.
The last four weeks of the regular season see them hit the road for three games, starting with a trip to SoFi Stadium to play the Rams in Week 14. Their final home game of the regular season will host the Pittsburgh Steelers in a late-afternoon showdown on CBS.
Their last two games of the regular season will take them to Minnesota and Chicago as they prepare for the postseason.
The Lions are hoping they're ready for a deep playoff run. They've never even played in a Super Bowl, but they're aiming for a change in the 2025-26 season. Super Bowl LX will be held February 8 at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California.
The Bears had a tough season last year, finishing in last place. If Johnson and QB Caleb Williams are gonna turn things around, a strong start will be key. The Bears kick off their season on Monday Night against the Vikings. Games against the Lions, Cowboys, and Raiders follow for a challenging opening to the season.
The Packers have a tough start, too, with games against the Lions and Commanders to begin the season. They'll face off against the Browns, Cowboys, Bengals, Cardinals, Steelers, and Panthers after that, which might help them get on a roll.
The Vikings had a great 2024 season, riding a 5-0 start to a 14-3 record. If they repeat that success, a favorable schedule could help, with games against the Bears, Falcons, Bengals, Steelers, and Browns in the first five weeks of the season. The games against Pittsburgh and Cleveland will be international games in Dublin and London, respectively, and the Vikings are undefeated when playing overseas.
- In the NFL schedule for 2025, the Detroit Lions will open their season against their division rivals, the Green Bay Packers, in a game that could be a rematch of last year's division wins.
- The Lions' sports-analysis for the early part of the season reveals challenging games against the Chicago Bears, Kansas City Chiefs, and Washington Commanders, among others, making a strong start crucial for success.
- The NFL schedule also includes marquee matchups for the Minnesota Vikings, with games against the Bears, Falcons, Bengals, Steelers, and Browns in the first five weeks of the season, potentially setting them up for another successful American-football season.
