The Detroit Lions are set to play a first-place schedule after a 12-5 campaign and a trip to the NFC Championship Game in 2023. But where does their strength of schedule for 2024 rank among the rest of the NFL?
Warren Sharp of Sharp Football Analysis recently crunched the numbers using projected win totals from Las Vegas oddsmakers and the Lions rank 21st in the NFL, giving them the 12th-hardest schedule.
However, that isn't even the toughest slate in the division. Among NFC North teams, the Minnesota Vikings actually own the toughest strength of schedule, and it's the fifth-hardest in the entire league. The Chicago Bears own the third-easiest and the Green Bay Packers have the 14th-toughest.
Among NFC squads, the Lions' strength of schedule ranks as the third-toughest, with only the Vikings and Dallas Cowboys having tougher slates.
While we do know the teams the Lions will face, their exact schedule has yet to be released. The NFL recently teased that the schedule release date will be revealed soon. A report suggests that schedules will be released on Thursday, May 9.
Here's a reminder of who the Lions will face in 2024:
Home opponents: Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, Chicago Bears, Los Angeles Rams, Seattle Seahawks, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans, Buffalo Bills, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Away opponents: Packers, Vikings, Bears, Arizona Cardinals, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, San Francisco 49ers, Dallas Cowboys
We'll have full coverage once the schedules are revealed.