Lions schedule 2024: Dates & times for all 17 games, strength of schedule, final record prediction

The NFL put its faith in the Lions entering the 2023 season. It gave them five prime-time games after not giving them any in 2022, including the NFL's season opener against the Chiefs.

Many were puzzled by the NFL's choice during the schedule release, but Detroit rewarded that faith by beating Kansas City 21-20 in a tightly-contested game. That kickstarted a great, 12-5 season for the Lions that saw the team nearly reach the Super Bowl for the first time in franchise history.

The Lions couldn't quite get there. They had a 17-point halftime lead in the NFC championship game, but some aggressive fourth-down decisions by Dan Campbell, a dropped interception that resulted in a big Brandon Aiyuk gain and a costly fumble by Jahmyr Gibbs helped the 49ers earn a comeback victory.

That finish left a bad taste in the mouth of Lions fans old and new, but the team still proved it can be among the NFL's heavyweights. And after a quality offseason during which it retained offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn, and many of its other key pieces, Detroit seems poised again to be one of the NFC's most competitive teams.

Here is a complete breakdown of the Lions' 2024 schedule, including dates, start times, and analysis for their slate of games.

Detroit Lions schedule 2024

Below is the Lions' full schedule for the 2024 NFL season:

The Lions are playing a first-place schedule after winning the NFC North for the first time in franchise history. Detroit will also play its normal slate of six divisional games and is facing every team from the AFC South and NFC West as a part of their yearly rotation.

The Lions play eight games against teams that made the playoffs last season. That includes two contests against the Packers, who figure to be their top challenger in the NFC North.

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Lions strength of schedule

The Lions rank 21st in strength schedule for the 2024 season, per Sharp Football Analysis. That means they project to have the 12th-hardest schedule in the NFL. This analysis is based on the projected win totals for each of Detroit's opponents for the upcoming season rather than their records in 2023.

Detroit had the 13th-easiest strength of schedule for the 2023 NFL season, so things will be a bit tougher for the Lions this year compared to last year. That's largely thanks to their playing a first-place schedule and no longer having all four NFC South teams on the schedule as they did in 2023.

Lions prediction 2024

Lions Super Bowl odds courtesy BetMGM (+1200)

Toughest tests: The Lions go on the road to face the 49ers and Cowboys in what should be marquee matchups. The three teams tied for the best record in the NFC last season, but the Lions came up short in their games against San Francisco and Dallas, losing 20-19 to the Cowboys in Week 17 while falling to the 49ers 34-31 in the NFC championship game after having a 24-7 halftime lead.

Detroit also faces difficult tests within the division in 2024, as the Packers appear to be improving with Jordan Love at quarterback and split the season series with the Lions. The Bears figure to get better with Caleb Williams at the helm as well, so Detroit will certainly face more competition for the NFC North crown in 2024.

Biggest breaks: It's hard to find a lot to like about Detroit's schedule, but it gets to face a rebuilding Titans team at home, which should make for one of the team's easier wins. The Lions should also be favored to beat the Cardinals on the road in the desert as Monti Ossenfort and Jonathan Gannon continue to reshape Arizona around Kyler Murray.

And while no divisional game is easy, the Lions handled the Vikings twice last season with Kirk Cousins out of action. J.J. McCarthy and Sam Darnold should be an upgrade over the Joshua Dobbs, Nick Mullens and Jaren Hall triumvirate that took over for Cousins after his torn Achilles, but the Lions should still hold the advantage, especially if they face the Vikings early in the season.

Bottom line: The Lions will face a tougher schedule than they did in 2023, but it's hard to imagine them regressing much. They remain one of the NFC's best teams and were a half of solid play away from making it to the Super Bowl for the first time in franchise history.

Detroit addressed its biggest weakness — cornerback — by trading for Carlton Davis and selecting Terrion Arnold and Ennis Rakestraw with its first two picks in the 2024 NFL Draft. That could go a long way toward helping the team's steadily-improving defense, which also added D.J. Reader and Marcus Davenport in free agency.

With a ready-now offense and a great-looking defense, the Lions are Super Bowl contenders again. Now, it's just a matter of seeing whether Dan Campbell can exorcise his NFC championship game demons and get Detroit over the hump during the 2025 NFL postseason.

Regardless of the outcome, expect the Lions to be there and among the favorites to win the NFC.

Record prediction: 12-5