Lions game-by-game predictions after 2026 NFL Schedule release

The complete 2026 NFL regular season schedule is finally here! Now fans can begin booking trips and fantasizing about some of this fall’s best upcoming matchups. The Lions certainly have some exciting games ahead, with an international game in Munich and five primetime games in front of a national audience.

Is Detroit in for a bounce-back season in 2026?

Here are game-by-game predictions for every Lions game of the 2026 season now that the schedule is finally released.

Week 1 vs. New Orleans Saints

The Saints should be a lot better on offense in 2026. However, their defense is still a big question mark.

Tyler Shough would need to play out of his mind to keep up with Detroit’s offense. That probably won’t happen, which makes this another easy win for the Lions.

WIN

Record: 1-0

Week 2 at Buffalo Bills

Catching the Bills early in the regular season could be a blessing for the Lions.

The weather at Highmark Stadium should be pleasant in Week 2 and Buffalo will still be adjusting to life with Joe Brady at head coach.

Detroit would make a huge statement to the NFL by winning this game in front of a national audience.

This game feels like the moment that NFL fans will remember that the Lions are still an NFC powerhouse.

WIN

Record: 2-0

Week 3 vs. New York Jets

The Dan Campbell vs. Aaron Glenn headlines just write themselves. But is that the only juice this matchup will provide?

New York looks a lot better on paper following the offseason. The offense suddenly has a host of weapons and the defense is full of fresh talent. But a quarterback room featuring Geno Smith, Brady Cook, and Cade Klubnik is simply not scary.

The Jets may need a heroic defensive performance to keep this a close game. If they cannot find a way to slow Goff down then this game could become a blowout.

WIN

Record: 3-0

Week 4 at Carolina Panthers

Carolina looks like the most likely trap game on Detroit’s entire schedule.

The Lions should be able to handle the up-and-coming Panthers, at least on paper. But winning road games is never easy in the NFL. Remember, the Panthers took the Rams down to the wire before adding a platoon of talent this offseason.

Detroit could lose in ugly fashion if they cannot stop Carolina’s running game.

LOSS

Record: 3-1

Week 5 at Arizona Cardinals

Detroit faces another elite running back in Jeremiyah Love.

Arizona’s questions at quarterback and adjustment to a new coaching staff making this look like an easy win.

Anything could happen, but it would be shocking if the Lions lose this one.

WIN

Record: 4-1

Week 6 BYE WEEK

Week 7 vs. Green Bay Packers

The Packers shed a handful of players on offense and did not do very much to replace them.

Green Bay did make additions on the defensive side of the ball. But how well will they play without Jeff Hafley at defensive coordinator? And what can the Packers expect from Micah Parsons after his ACL injury?

This should be a close game, but the Lions have the edge when playing at Ford Field.

WIN

Record: 5-1

Week 8 vs. Minnesota Vikings

If the Vikings cannot take care of the Lions at home, there’s no reason to believe they can do so from Ford Field.

Detroit will have some serious questions to answer if they cannot sweep Minnesota this fall.

WIN

Record: 6-1

Week 9 at Miami Dolphins

This is by far the easiest game on the schedule to pick.

Miami is in complete rebuild mode after hitting the reset button following the Mike McDaniels era. The Dolphins will be outgunned at every single position all with a first-year head coach in Jeff Hafley.

Detroit should cruise to an easy victory in this one.

WIN

Record: 7-1

Week 10 vs. New England Patriots

New England will be a fascinating team to watch before this matchup.

Will the Patriots look like a Super Bowl team looking to get back to the dance? Or will they take a step back as often happens following a Super Bowl loss?

The possible addition of A.J. Brown could have New England looking like an AFC powerhouse once again. But that remains to be seen.

Detroit gets the edge in this one due to home field advantage.

WIN

Record: 8-1

Week 11 vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Buccaneers always deliver a good performance against the Lions, at least during the Campbell era.

Detroit is 3-1 against Tampa since Campbell took over, but that does not mean they have dominated in every single game. Last year’s 24-9 victory on Monday Night Football was Detroit’s most convincing win in that four-game series.

The Buccaneers reloaded on defense during the offseason, adding former Lion Alex Anzalone in free agency and selecting Rueben Bain Jr. in the first round of the draft.

This feels like a game where Detroit might stumble and loss to a beatable opponent.

LOSS

Record: 8-2

Week 12 vs. Chicago Bears

Detroit completely handled Chicago in Week 2 of the 2025 season.

This game probably won’t be such a decisive victory for the Lions, but having home field advantage should give them a strong advantage.

Do the Bears have the necessary firepower to get into a shootout with Goff and the Lions?

WIN

Record: 9-2

Week 13 at Atlanta Falcons

This feels more like a cupcake matchup than a trap game.

Detroit will need to look out for Bijan Robinson, who will surely want to upstage Jahmyr Gibbs in what could be a classic running back duel.

But beyond that matchup, the table looks set for the Lions to lay 50 points on the Falcons on the road.

WIN

Record: 10-2

Week 14 vs. Tennessee Titans

Tennessee is another team that got a lot better during the offseason. The defense is almost entirely new and Cam Ward finally has some wide receivers on offense.

The addition of Robert Saleh will make the Titans much more competitive in 2026. Make no mistake, this will not be a repeat of last season when Detroit throttled Tennessee 52-14.

But the Lions will still come out on top, even if this becomes a close game.

WIN

Record: 11-2

Week 15 at Minnesota Vikings

Minnesota is one of the rare teams that does not look much improved following the offseason.

Detroit’s improved offensive line should be able to handle Minnesota’s pass rush in 2026. If that’s true, the Lions could put up a lot of points against the Vikings this fall.

The Vikings also have a complicated quarterback room, which makes it difficult to determine how well their offense will play.

This feels like an easy sweep.

WIN

Record: 12-2

Week 16 vs. New York Giants

New York could be a truly dangerous team in the NFC during the 2026 season. The Giants already had some talented players in 2025, but they may several huge additions this offseason that could take them over the top.

John Harbaugh will have the Giants well coached, especially on the defensive side of the ball. New York could be truly frightening on third downs with Abdul Carter, Brian Burns, Kayvon Thibodeaux, and Arvell Reese collapsing the pocket.

The most important matchup in this game could be New York’s d-line against Detroit’s revamped o-line.

If the Giants can get consistent pressure on Goff, they may have a chance to win this game.

LOSS

Record: 12-3

Week 17 at Chicago Bears

The Lions are not going to stay undefeated against Ben Johnson for long.

Expect Johnson and the Bears to go all out against the Lions in front of their home crowd. Chicago may finally unleash some trick plays against Detroit, too.

Ultimately, it just seems like the Bears will do whatever it takes to get this win.

LOSS

Record: 12-4

Week 18 at Green Bay Packers

If Green Bay does get a win against Detroit in 2026, it should come at Lambeau Field. Especially during an early January game in Week 18.

It would be truly disappointing if the Lions ended the regular season on a three-game losing streak. Even if they made the playoffs, it would feel like they backed their way in and did not earn it.

Hopefully this loss does not cost them a playoff berth.

LOSS

Record: 12-5

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