Now that the NFL has officially released its 2026 schedule, it’s time for my Detroit Lions 2026 game-by-game bold predictions. Though I am not a fan of the Lions’ schedule, I do think Detroit will prove that last year’s playoff miss was a fluke. The 2026 season needs to be a bounce-back year for the Lions. The Lions are in an open window for Super Bowl contention. Neither Dan Campbell nor Brad Holmes can afford another season watching the postseason from their couches. All the excitement and goodwill they have built over the last five years can start to slip if the team doesn’t take a step forward in 2026. Fortunately, the Lions will do that and more.
While there are still four months before the 2026 season kicks off, making Detroit Lions 2026 game-by-game bold predictions is a good way to set reasonable expectations for the team. It will be fun to see how many of my predictions actually come true.
Detroit Lions 2026 Game-By-Game Bold Predictions
Detroit Lions Schedule Release: Game-by-game and final record predictions for the Lions after their full schedule has droppedhttps://t.co/nN8pzyVRLG
— Mike Payton (@AtoZ_Payton) May 15, 2026
The Lions start the season at home against a Saints team that should be much improved over 2025. The Saints added RB Travis Etienne in free agency and drafted WR Jordyn Tyson 8th overall in last month’s draft. That said, the Lions will be extra motivated at home and prove to be too much for the Saints.
Lions 34, Saints 17 (1-0)
Week 2: Lions at Buffalo Bills (Thursday Night)
This game is one of the most anticipated matchups of the NFL season. The Lions and Bills, both with legit Super Bowl aspirations, should both light up the scoreboard in a barnburner. The Lions will be seeking revenge after falling to Buffalo, 48-42, the last time these two teams squared off.
Buffalo will steal the spotlight here, as this will be the first game played at its New Highmark Stadium. Bills Mafia will be out in full force, and Josh Allen will show the Lions why he is a perennial MVP-favorite.
Bills 38, Lions 31 (1-1)
The Lions welcome former DC Aaron Glenn back to town for the first time since taking over as the Jets’ HC. It will not end well for Glenn or the Jets, who will probably be one of the worst teams in the league as Glenn continues to build his team from scratch. Glenn may eventually find success with the Jets, but not this week.
Lions 45, Jets 13 (2-1)
Week 4: Lions at Carolina Panthers (Sunday Night Football)
The Lions head back on the road for another primetime game. The Carolina Panthers, fresh off their NFC South-winning season, find themselves on Sunday Night Football for the first time since 2016. Too bad the Lions will ruin the festivities. Detroit gets a little payback for Christmas Eve, 2022.
Lions 27, Carolina 20 (3-1)
The Lions stay on the road, heading west this time to play the new-look Arizona Cardinals. Now led by new HC Mike LaFleur, the Cardinals have started another rebuild. Gone is Kyler Murray, who will face the Lions twice a year now with Minnesota. Will third-round pick Carson Beck have taken over for QB Jacoby Brissett by Week 5? Probably not. The Lions will, however, get their first taste of RB Jeremiyah Love, who was drafted 3rd overall by Arizona. Meanwhile, new Lions OC Drew Petzing will face his old team for the first time. Expect plenty of points in a Lions victory.
Lions 37, Cardinals 31 (4-1)
Week 6: BYE
Of course, the Lions’ hot start is interrupted by yet another early-season bye week.
From one LaFleur brother to the other. The Lions will certainly have this matchup highlighted on their calendar. Green Bay defeated Detroit in both matchups last season, including a Week 1 disaster that had the Lions reeling. Luckily for Detroit, the Lions tend to do pretty well in revenge games. Ask the Dallas Cowboys and Washington Commanders. Lions win a big one.
Lions 30, Packers 20 (5-1)
Just like the Packers, the Vikings also defeated the Lions in both games last year. And just like the Lions, the Vikings are also looking to rebound from a disappointing 2025 campaign and get back to the playoffs. While I think the Lions are the better team, I see a possible letdown after an enormous win against the Packers. Brian Flores will show his chops as possibly the league’s best DC.
Vikings 27, Lions 19 (5-2)
After a letdown loss against a divisional rival, the Lions get back on the right track. The Dolphins are in a complete rebuild, having jettisoned QB Tua Tagovailoa and replaced him with Malik Willis. Also gone are star WRs Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle. While the Lions hope to compete for the Super Bowl, the Dolphins will be competing for the first overall pick in 2027.
Lions 40, Dolphins 10 (6-2)
In what could have been one of the most anticipated MNF clashes of the season, the Lions instead must “host” the AFC Champion Patriots in Germany. Oh yeah, this game also kicks off the Lions’ brutal stretch of three games in 12 days. Good thing Detroit has started the season strong, as the schedule gets a lot tougher in the second half. Lions lose a tough one.
Patriots 28, Lions 23 (6-3)
In a normal world, this would be the Lions’ bye week. Instead, the Lions find themselves squaring off against another quality opponent. The Tampa Bay Bucs and first-round pick Rueben Bain Jr. come to Ford Field. In a game sandwiched between Munich and an all-important Thanksgiving clash against the Bears, the Lions dig deep and show the grit that has been the staple of Dan Campbell’s tenure. Much like last season against Tampa, Lions RB Jahmyr Gibbs runs wild and finds the end zone multiple times.
Lions 31, Buccaneers 21 (7-3)
Week 12: Lions vs Chicago Bears (Thanksgiving)
Bears HC Ben Johnson is in for another rude homecoming. The Lions find a way to improve to 3-0 against their former OC. While the Lions take a big step forward in 2026, look for the Bears to regress as they find out that playing a first-place schedule is much different than playing a last-place schedule. Caleb Williams throws a pick-six to seal the game late for the Lions.
Lions 29, Bears 17 (8-3)
The Falcons have had recent expectations that haven’t been met. RB Bijan Robinson is one of the NFL’s best and exciting players, but Atlanta hasn’t gotten the QB play needed for success. Whether it was Kirk Cousins or Michael Penix Jr, the strong investment the Falcons made in both did not pay off. I don’t expect much better from Tua. Lions seem to be hitting their groove.
Lions 34, Falcons 17 (9-3)
The Lions return home for their final game against an AFC opponent. The Titans, under first-year HC Robert Saleh, should be better than they were last year. Unfortunately for Tennessee, they are nowhere near the Lions’ level. It won’t be as bad as 2024, when Detroit trounced the Titans 52-14, but it will be a stress-free victory. Hopefully, the Lions will be able to use this game as a tune-up before a brutal final stretch.
Lions 42, Titans 20 (10-3)
Week 15: Lions at Minnesota Vikings (Sunday Night Football)
The Lions kick off the final month of the regular season with their first road-divisional game. The Vikings should still be hanging around and have a lot on the line in this one. Luckily, the Lions have built a little cushion in the division. Lions start slow, and their comeback falls just short.
Vikings 27, Lions 23 (10-4)
Week 16: Lions vs New York Giants (Monday Night Football)
The Lions finally get a home game in primetime. Only took 16 weeks. The New York Giants come to town for Monday Night Football. The Giants are a chic pick to reach the playoffs this year under new HC John Harbaugh. With a healthy Malik Nabers and a sophomore leap for QB Jaxon Dart, they just might. The Lions, after almost losing to a terrible Giants team last year, won’t be looking past this one. Lions win another shootout.
Lions 38, Giants 31 (11-4)
Week 17: Lions at Chicago Bears
Traveling to Chicago this late in the season is not a great situation for the Lions. The Bears will be fighting for their playoff lives in this one, while the Lions hopefully are only worried about home-field advantage. Sadly, the Lions’ hope of getting the top seed in the NFC takes a big hit. Ben Johnson finally gets his first win over Detroit.
Bears 24, Lions 16 (11-5)
Week 18: Lions at Green Bay Packers
Playing at Lambeau Field in Week 18 for the division feels inevitable. I know Dan Campbell and Co wouldn’t have it any other way. Playing in Chicago last week should prepare the Lions for the weather in Green Bay. Look for this game to get flexed to Sunday night. The Lions take care of business and regain their NFC North throne in a thriller.
Lions 23, Packers 21 (12-5)
There you have it. What do you think of my Detroit Lions 2026 game-by-game bold predictions? Please make your own Detroit Lions 2026 game-by-game bold predictions in the comments below. If my Detroit Lions 2026 game-by-game bold predictions come true, the Lions will finish the 2026 season at 12-5 and reclaim the NFC North crown. I think the Lions come up just short of the top seed in the NFC, which will go to the Los Angeles Rams. The Lions will go to LA and defeat the Rams to reach their first Super Bowl.
Main Photo: [David Banks] – Imagn Images