As you'll quickly find out when we break down the six easiest games on the Detroit Lions' 2024 schedule, the slate really doesn't have many push overs, at least on paper. What could be construed as a difficult game for some teams will end up making the list of the easiest contests for the Lions.
According to Warren Sharp of Sharp Football Analysis, the Lions have the 12th-most difficult schedule in the NFL based on 2024 win projections from Vegas oddsmakers. If done by Super Bowl odds (h/t Deniz Selman), things get a bit better, with Detroit owning the 16th-toughest slate.
But it almost feels like those underrate the true difficulty of the schedule, especially when you consider their six-toughest games. Whatever the case may be, here's a look at the easiest games on the Lions' 2024 schedule.
Lions' easiest games on 2024 schedule
Week 3 at Arizona Cardinals
While no doubt one of the easier games on Detroit's slate, the Cardinals are not going to be all that bad. Their defense might stink, sure, but they'll have a healthy Kyler Murray for a full season and have added Marvin Harrison Jr.
I think frisky is the best way to describe them.
Week 7 at Minnesota Vikings
Barring a C.J. Stroud-like campaign from J.J. McCarthy, or Sam Darnold finding himself, the Vikings are likely to bring up the rear in the NFC North. Detroit's two contests against their division rivals are the two easiest on the 2024 slate.
Week 8 vs. Tennessee Titans
The Titans are in the first year of a rebuild, but they're moving quickly. They've made major additions to the secondary, wide receiver corps. and offensive line, three issues that plagued them in 2023. We still don't know what Will Levis is, though, so the jury is still very much out on Tennessee.
Week 12 at Indianapolis Colts
The most scary thing about the Colts is the potential for Anthony Richardson to run amok with his elite athleticism. However, there's no telling if he'll even be healthy by this point in the season. Even if he is, nobody is shivering in fear against Indianapolis.
Week 15 vs. Buffalo Bills
The Bills have typically been a very good team in recent years and they still have Josh Allen at the helm. However, they've lost a who's who of players this year on both sides of the ball, with the most notable being wide receiver Stefon Diggs. Buffalo might need a year or two to get back on track.
Week 18 vs. Minnesota Vikings
All of what we wrote about the Vikings applies here, but add in the fact that this game takes place at Ford Field and Minnesota will likely be playing out the string and it has all the makings of an easy "W" for Detroit.
