Detroit Lions’ 2024 NFL Schedule: Release date, opponents, biggest games, and predictions

The Detroit Lions' offseason is in full swing now that the NFL Draft and free agency are out of the way. From this point on, it's all about making the 90-man roster as good as it can be via OTAs, workouts, and training camp.

One key offseason aspect is hurling itself towards us over the coming weeks, as well, and that's the NFL's schedule release. We already know the Lions' 2024 opponents, but when and where they play the opposition is far more valuable then simply knowing who they play.

So, let's not waste any more time and go over everything we currently know about the Lions' 2024 schedule, and more.

Lions' Schedule Release Date

The NFL teased during the draft that schedules will be released in May, although it didn't give us an exact date. Based off the last couple of years, however, it should come out around the middle of May, as it was released on May 12 in 2022 and May 11 in 2023.

Once that comes out, we will update this with the Lions' exact schedule.

Home and Away Opponents

Games played at Ford Field: Minnesota Vikings, Green Bay Packers, Chicago Bears, Buffalo Bills, Jacksonville Jaguars, Los Angeles Rams, Seattle Seahawks, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Tennessee Titans.

Away games: Minnesota Vikings, Green Bay Packers, Chicago Bears, Houston Texans, Arizona Cardinals, Dallas Cowboys, Indianapolis Colts and San Francisco 49ers. 

Biggest Games on the Lions' 2024 Schedule

The NFC North games: This divsion is going to be a fun one this year. For the first time since 1994, the Lions are defending a championship. Now these games that already meant so much, mean even more now. 

Lions vs Rams: I mean there is just no way that this isn't a primetime game right? This thing has Monday night football written all over it. Especially after the wildcard game was watched by so many and the game was easily the best of that round. Don't forget the storylines either. This thing is full of them.

Lions vs 49ers: A rematch of the NFC Championship game and a potential preview of next years NFC Championship game. This is another one that could be in prime time. The Lions are likely to be looking for revenge in this one. 

Predicting Primetime Matchups and Week 1/Week 18 Opponents

Prime time games

We already talked about the Lions vs 49ers and Lions vs Rams games being in prime time, but that's likely not it for the Lions. They should be all over prime time this year. 

Lions vs Bills would be an entertaining night game. A rematch of a very good Thanksgiving game from 2022. Lions vs Packers is always an obvious one. With both teams being playoff teams last year, a night game would be fun. Lions vs Texans would be a blast. Two of the leagues youngest up and coming teams going head to head. 

Who are the Week 1 and Week 18 opponents?

Lions vs Rams seems like a good way to start not the just the Lions season, but the whole damn season. That's right. I'm talking about the 2024 NFL season starting on a Thursday night in the city that just hosted 775 thousand people for the 2024 NFL Draft.

As for Week 18, the NFL is always predictable on that one. Look for the Lions to probably play the Packers at Lambeau field in the final game of the year. 

Revenge Games on the Lions' 2024 schedule

Matthew Stafford vs Detroit part two: This cat is going to be coming back again and he's going to want to embarrass the Lions after things didn't work out last year. He's bringing another former Lion in with him in Jonah Jackson.

Baker Mayfield: The last pass that Mayfield threw last year was to Derrick Barnes. He probably wants to come out and make sure he plays his best against the Lions after both games in 2022 didn't work out. 

Lions vs Cowboys: The Lions are going to be seeking some revenge as well. They didn't lose to the Cowboys in 2023. They had a game stolen from them. While the Cowboys can't control officiating, this always seems to happen against them. Now it's time to just go out and beat them straight up.

Carlton Davis vs Bucs: The Bucs decided that trading Davis was better than playing him what he's owe. Now he has a chance to show the Bucs what they're missing out on.

4 Must-watch Matchups

Justin Jefferson vs Carlton Davis: The Lions have a real number one cornerback now and he says that he's going to stop evert teams WR1. Well, here's your shot to really make a splash.

Nick Bosa vs Penei Sewell: Last year Sewell kept Bosa quiet in the NFC Championship game. Can he do it again? 

Lions secondary vs everyone: The Lions have a brand new unit in their secondary and the one thing that everyone is going to be looking for is how well this is going to go. Every week is going to be a must-watch.

Amon-Ra St. Brown vs L'Jarius Snead: The Colts got their new CB1. Let's see how the Sun God plays against him in this matchup in Indy.