What is the Detroit Lions’ 2021 NFL schedule, how many primetime games do they play, and who are the toughest and easiest opponents on their schedule this season?
Detroit Lions Preseason Schedule
All times listed below are Eastern Time.
PS1: vs. Bills
PS2: at Steelers
PS3: vs. Colts
Detroit Lions Schedule | 2021 Regular Season
All days are Sunday unless otherwise noted. All times listed below are Eastern Time.
Week 1: vs. 49ers | 1:00 PM | FOX
Week 2: at Packers | MNF | 8:15 PM | ESPN
Week 3: vs. Ravens | 1:00 PM | CBS
Week 4: at Bears | 1:00 PM | FOX
Week 5: at Vikings | 1:00 PM | FOX
Week 6: vs. Bengals | 1:00 PM | FOX
Week 7: at Rams | 4:05 PM | FOX
Week 8: vs. Eagles | 1:00 PM | FOX
Week 9: Bye
Week 10: at Steelers | 1:00 PM | FOX
Week 11: at Browns | 1:00 PM | FOX
Week 12: vs. Bears | THU | 12:30 PM | FOX
Week 13: vs. Vikings | 1:00 PM | CBS
Week 14: at Broncos | 4:05 PM | FOX
Week 15: vs. Cardinals | 1:00 PM | FOX
Week 16: at Falcons | 1:00 PM | FOX
Week 17: at Seahawks | 4:25 PM | FOX
Week 18: vs. Packers | 1:00 PM | FOX
How many primetime games do the Lions play in 2021?
The Lions have one primetime game in 2021, in addition to their Thanksgiving Day matchup against the Bears in Week 12. Their primetime matchup will be in Week 2 against the Packers.
When is the Lions’ bye week?
The Lions’ bye will be in Week 9.
Lions’ strength of schedule and win/loss prediction
With the 10th toughest schedule in the NFL in 2021, the Lions will have their work cut out for them under new head coach Dan Campbell. Let’s take a look at which games on the Lions’ 2021 schedule stand out as being the easiest and toughest based on Vegas projected win totals.
Toughest opponents
Compared to many NFL schedules in 2021, the Lions appear to have more games on the extremes at both sides. For example, the Lions play five games against teams projected to win over 10 games. That is mirrored with five games against teams projected to win seven or less.
Two of those games against teams projected to win double-digit games in 2021 come against the Green Bay Packers. The Lions have lost the last four games against the Packers, having won four straight prior to that.
After pushing the Packers close in 2019, the Lions struggled against their division rivals last year. However, with the uncertainty surrounding Aaron Rodgers, the Lions may suddenly be viewing these two games as ones they could grab surprise wins in.
The other three toughest games on this schedule come against the Los Angeles Rams, San Francisco 49ers, and Baltimore Ravens. All three of those teams will give the Lions’ defense a thorough examination. The game that stands out the most though is against the Lions’ former QB, Matthew Stafford. After Stafford was viewed as an upgrade by the Rams, Jared Goff and his teammates in Detroit will have plenty they want to prove.
Easiest opponents
Five games against teams projected to win seven games or fewer give the Lions opportunities to pick up somewhat cheap wins. Two of those games come against the Bears, who have uncertainty surrounding the starting QB. The storyline involving Andy Dalton, Nick Foles, and Justin Fields in 2021 could make a huge difference to how difficult those two matchups are this season.
The remaining three games come against the Cincinnati Bengals, Philadelphia Eagles, and Atlanta Falcons. All three teams have major question marks surrounding them in 2021. With two young QBs and two new head coaches, the Lions could have an opportunity to come out of those games with two or three wins.
2021 season prediction
The Lions are a tough team to predict in 2021, and their schedule does not make it any easier. Of all the schedules in the NFL in 2021, the Lions is among the most extreme. For every projected playoff team on the schedule, there is an equal amount of teams expected to struggle.
The Vegas projected win totals see the Lions struggling in 2021. However, if Goff can gel with this offense, they have the pieces in place to be a tough team to beat. Their offensive line is loaded with talent, and they have intriguing pieces on both sides of the ball. While they will likely not be a playoff team, the Lions could very well be the surprise package of the 2021 NFL season.
Projected 2021 record: 7-10
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