There’s still no date for the 2024 NFL schedule release, but we already know who every team is going to play.
After winning the NFC North for the first time ever, the Detroit Lions will face a tough first-place schedule. The annual rotation gives the Lions the AFC South and NFC West divisions. Additionally, the Lions will have a ninth home game and face two other first-place NFC teams and one first-place AFC team.
Lions’ Opponents at Home in 2024
- Chicago Bears
- Minnesota Vikings
- Green Bay Packers
- Los Angeles Rams
- Seattle Seahawks
- Jacksonville Jaguars
- Tennessee Titans
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Buffalo Bills
Lions’ Opponents on the Road in 2024
- Chicago Bears
- Minnesota Vikings
- Green Bay Packers
- Arizona Cardinals
- Houston Texans
- Indianapolis Colts
- San Francisco 49ers
- Dallas Cowboys
Lions Get Rematches With 2023 Playoff Opponents
Despite a Cinderella story that put the Lions in the NFC Championship Game against the 49ers, San Francisco came out on top 34-31. The Lions started the game strong, going up 24-7 at the half, but weren’t able to hold on.
The 2024 schedule will allow for a chance at redemption, with the Lions traveling to Santa Clara, Calif., just like they did for the postseason. The Lions will also travel to Dallas for a chance at redemption from their loss to the Cowboys this past season. The first loss in Dallas didn’t come drama-free, as there was a controversy late in the game.
The Lions will also face the Buccaneers, whom they defeated twice last season, including once in the playoffs. The team’s 32-23 playoff win came in Detroit, and the two will face off there once again in the 2024 regular season.
Finally, the Lions will also host Matthew Stafford and the Rams yet again. The playoff game, which the Lions won 24-23, was the first time Stafford had returned to Detroit since being traded a few years ago. Additionally, the win was the first playoff victory for Detroit in 32 years.
A Tougher Schedule Than Usual?
What comes with winning is tougher competition. Since the Lions won the division, it means they will have a first-place schedule. According to Yahoo Sports, the Lions will face the 11th-toughest schedule in the NFL based on 2023 records.
Including their division-rival Packers, the Lions will be facing seven playoff teams this upcoming season, including five division winners.
After a very successful 2023 campaign, Lions head coach Dan Campbell is very aware of the challenges ahead for his team, acknowledging their difficult schedule this upcoming season and the NFC North becoming even more competitive.
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“I don’t care how much better we get or what we add or what we draft. It’s irrelevant. It’s gonna be tough,” Campbell said. “Everybody in our division’s gonna be loaded back up. And, you know, you’re not hiding from anybody anymore. Everybody’s gonna want a piece of you. Which is fine, you know. Which is fine.”
“I told those guys, this may have been our only shot,” Campbell said. “Do I think that? No. Do I believe that? No. However, I know how hard it is to get here. I’m well aware. And it’s gonna be twice as hard to get back to this point next year than it was this year.”
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