The Detroit Lions had a near-perfect season a year ago as they lost just one early-season game to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and one late-season game to the Buffalo Bills. The Lions rolled to a 15-2 record and were the top seed in the NFC at the conclusion of the regular season.

Head coach Dan Campbell and quarterback Jared Goff would certainly like to match that record in 2025, but the team’s NFL schedule is going to present a major challenge. That schedule was released Wednesday night.

The Lions open the season with a road game against the division rival Green Bay Packers. Detroit won all of its division games last year and that included a victory over the Packers at Lambeau Field. There is no way the Packers are going to come with anything but their best effort in their home opener against the Lions, and this game is clearly one that both teams will want badly.

Another division game follows as they host the Bears in Week 2. While the Bears figure to be improved over the 5-12 record they had last year, Campbell will try to go at the Bears and former offensive coordinator Ben Johnson with a relentless attitude.

A major challenge follows in Week 3 when the Lions go to Baltimore for a Monday Night game. That will be the first of five prime time games that are on the Lions schedule.

The Lions have another prime time appearance in Week 6 when they go to Arrowhead Stadium against the defending AFC champion Kansas City Chiefs. The Lions won their last appearance in Kansas City in the 2023 season opener, and it’s clear that Chiefs head coach Andy Reid and QB Patrick Mahomes will remember that game.

Division game vs. Vikings will be key measuring stick for Lions

The Lions have their bye in Week 8 and they return for a home game against the Minnesota Vikings. Kevin O’Connell’s Vikings were the Lions’ primary division challengers last year, and this game could go a long way to determining division superiority in 2025.

Back-to-back challenges follow in Weeks 10 and 11 with road games against the Washington Commanders and the Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles. Once the Lions get past those two games, the Lions will have to focus once again on the division. They will host the Packers in the annual Thanksgiving Day game in Week 13. Another Thursday game follows in Week 14 when they host the Dallas Cowboys.

The final four weeks of the regular season will see the Lions go on the road for three of those games. They will have to go to SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles to play the Rams in Week 14.

Their final home game of the regular season will see the Pittsburgh Steelers come to Detroit for a late-afternoon game on CBS. The Steelers are one of the most high-profile teams in the NFL, and that should assure that the Lions don’t look past them.

The final two games of the regular season will see the Lions go to Minnesota and Chicago as they attempt to prepare for the postseason.

The Lions are hopeful that they are ready for a successful run in the postseason. The Lions have never even played in a Super Bowl, but they are hoping that the 2025-26 season will be the year that changes. Super Bowl LX will be held February 8 at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California.

Key scheduling notes for NFC North rivals

The Bears suffered through a brutal last-place season a year ago, and if Johnson and quarterback Caleb Williams are going to turn things around, a good start is needed. The Bears host the Vikings in Week One on Monday Night football. Games against the Lions, Cowboys and Raiders follow for a challenging start to the season.

The Packers first two games against the Lions and Commanders will be a challenge, but they will be in a position to get on a roll after that with games against the Browns, Cowboys, Bengals, Cardinals, Steelers and Panthers.

The Vikings rode a brilliant 5-0 start to their 14-3 season in 2024. The schedule maker may help the Vikings repeat that success with games against the Bears, Falcons, Bengals, Steelers and Browns in the first five weeks of the season. The games against Pittsburgh and Cleveland will be international games in Dublin and London, respectively. They Vikings are undefeated when playing overseas.