Thursday saw a concoction of creativity on 2026 NFL schedule release day. The Carolina Panthers brought out the explosives while Trevor Lawrence cut his hair to help unveil the Jacksonville Jaguars' slate. The Detroit Lions chose a more straight forward approach, though.
Head coach Dan Campbell is the feature star in a spot titled “strictly business.”
Strictly business. pic.twitter.com/LEDmouoaj9
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) May 14, 2026
But perhaps this all-business video speaks to this tone involving the Lions: Detroit emerged as a big winner on schedule release day outside of teams going with graphic art or pyrotechnics.
How did Detroit emerge victorious? By receiving one of the easiest schedules this season.
The Lions open with a New Orleans Saints team that went 6-11 overall. They then travel to the perennial AFC East power Buffalo Bills on a short week.
But then Jared Goff and company face the New York Jets, Carolina Panthers and Arizona Cardinals…all of whom finished under .500. Detroit can start 4-1 out the gate. From there only the rival Chicago Bears and AFC champion New England Patriots are the only double-digit winning teams featured on the Lions' schedule, fueling renewed Super Bowl optimism in the Motor City.
Now here are three other teams that claimed wins after learning their schedule.
Cincinnati Bengals
It's back to playoffs-or-bust for Cincy. The Bengals' 2026 gauntlet sets up perfectly to make a postseason return.
Outside of the division rival Pittsburgh Steelers, only the Houston Texans and Jacksonville Jaguars represent teams that won 12 or more contests a year ago.
And Cincinnati gets both before Oct. 11, meaning they come ahead of the November playoff push. Joe Burrow and company can get their toughest foes out the way early.
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Indianapolis Colts
Indianapolis rolled out a Simpsons theme for the '26 release. Like the Bengals, Indy faces a crucial season including keeping Shane Steichen as head coach.
The first six weeks set up wonderfully for the Colts with four home games. Only one (Houston) was a 2025 playoff contender.
Jacksonville and the Philadelphia Eagles then become the only double-digit winning teams left on the Colts' schedule. Indianapolis received a strong chance to end its four-season playoff dry spell.
Atlanta Falcons
The Kevin Stefanski era could get off to a fast start with the way this gauntlet sets up.
Atlanta gets a Pittsburgh Steelers team that ushers in their own new head coach in Mike McCarthy to start the year. But the next four teams are either against sub. 500 foes or teams that missed the postseason. The NFC North champion Chicago Bears become the first winning challenge, but that's not until Oct. 18 and its at home.
The Oct. 25 home tilt against the San Francisco 49ers then becomes the last time Atlanta faces a '25 playoff team at home. This schedule could set up a winner-take-all showdown in Charlotte for Week 18 against the Carolina Panthers.
Thursday saw a concoction of creativity on 2026 NFL schedule release day. The Carolina Panthers brought out the explosives while Trevor Lawrence cut his hair to help unveil the Jacksonville Jaguars' slate. The Detroit Lions chose a more straight forward approach, though. Head coach Dan Campbell is the feature star in a spot titled “strictly business.