Dan Campbell and the Detroit Lions are supposed to have an easier NFL schedule than the last couple years during 2026. Based on opponents win percentage from last season, they will.
But that doesn’t mean the league did them any other favors. In fact, to one NFL analyst, it seems as though the league might have done their best to make the Lions slate this fall harder in other ways.
Sports Illustrated’s Conor Orr argued that point while including the Lions on a list of “eight teams that got screwed by the 2026 NFL schedule.”
“I suppose I cannot complain too much about this one, given that the NFL has done almost precisely what I asked it to do: punish teams that have a very easy strength of schedule in other ways,” wrote Orr. “However, my rub with the Detroit schedule is incredibly specific.
“Just like I despise that both Rams-Seahawks games are within a three-week stretch to end the season, I really dislike all of Detroit’s road divisional games coming between Weeks 15 and 18.
“The Lions travel to Minnesota, Green Bay and Chicago all within the stretch of a month, creating a frantic period just before the playoffs in which the entire NFC North could change in complexion.”
This season, the Lions will play three of their final four games on the road. That’s tough regardless of who the opponents are.
But all three of those road opponents will be Detroit’s NFC North rivals.
On December 20, the Lions will visit the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday Night Football. Two weeks later, Campbell’s club takes a trip to face the Chicago Bears on January 3.
The Lions will cap off the season at the Green Bay Packers in Week 18.
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