The Lions’ 2026 opponents are pretty much figured out now

An early look at who the Lions will face in 2026.

Mike Payton — Detroit Lions Beat Writer
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The Detroit Lions’ 2025 season is pretty much over, regardless of what happens down the stretch, unless they can somehow manage to find their way into the playoffs with the one really narrow way in they have left.

If that incredibly wild thing doesn’t happen, the Lions are expected to finish third in the NFC North. We can now pretty much tell you every team they’re facing in 2026. We can tell you they’re playing an international game, too. Against whom and where won’t be known for a few months, though. Anyway, here are the opponents in 2026:

Home opponents

  • Green Bay Packers
  • Chicago Bears
  • Minnesota Vikings
  • New Orleans Saints
  • Tampa Bay Buccaneers
  • New England Patriots
  • New York Jets
  • Indianapolis Colts or Tennessee Titans (Colts are currently third in the AFC South, and that doesn’t look to be changing. Lions would play Titans if Detroit falls to fourth in the division)
  • Washington Commanders or New York Giants (Again, this depends on if the Lions finish in third or fourth in the NFC North)

Away Opponents

  • Green Bay Packers
  • Chicago Bears
  • Minnesota Vikings
  • Atlanta Falcons
  • Buffalo Bills
  • Carolina Panthers
  • Miami Dolphins
  • San Francisco 49ers, Los Angeles Rams, or Arizona Cardinals (The Lions will face whichever NFC West team finishes third in their division. They face the Cardinals if Detroit falls to fourth place)

Essentially, we’re waiting to see whether the Lions pull off a miracle and make the playoffs and finish second in the NFC North, and we’re also watching what happens in the NFC West. We will update this piece as soon as everything falls into place.

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