Detroit Lions schedule among NFL.com's 5 most favorable slates

[ASFN Admin]

The Detroit Lions' full 2026 schedule is out.

Now, fans can react to the schedule and start to make record predictions. There's some key takeaways with the slate, including a difficult stretch where the Lions will play three games in just 12 days in November.

But, many feel like the Lions got a good draw with the schedule.

NFL.com's Nick Shook ranked the Lions' schedule among the top five most favorable 2026 slates. Per NFL.com, the Lions have the second-easiest 2026 schedule.

The Lions are aiming to bounce back from their disappointing finish to the 2025 season and will have a very promising on-ramp toward that goal. Their first five games in 2026 include only one team that won a playoff game last season (Buffalo), a prime-time contest that also serves as the official regular-season opening of new Highmark Stadium. If there's a time to face the Bills and new coach Joe Brady -- even if it has to be on the road -- it's in Week 2, when Buffalo will still be settling in under a new coaching staff.

The first two divisional games will both take place at Ford Field in Weeks 7 and 8. The road slate isn't exactly daunting. Business trips outside of the NFC North include visits to Miami, Atlanta, Carolina and Arizona, and Detroit faces reigning AFC champion New England in Munich. Outside of a brutal final month (including road games against Minnesota, Chicago and Green Bay), the slate looks promising for the Lions. - Nick Shook, NFL.com

Looking at the front of the schedule, a fast start feels like a must for the Lions if Detroit eyes a return to the top of the NFC North and toward Super Bowl contention. While 2025 was disappointing, the Lions are seeing the potential rewards of a fourth-place schedule.

NFL.com also included the Cleveland Browns, Denver Broncos, Baltimore Ravens and Atlanta Falcons among its top-five most favorable schedule.

For more Lions coverage, follow us on X, @TheLionsWire, and give our Facebook page a like. Follow Josh on X, @JoshOnLions

This article originally appeared on Lions Wire: Detroit Lions schedule among NFL.com's 5 most favorable slates

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