Analyst hits sobering note about Detroit Lions 2025 schedule leaks

The 2024 schedule smiled on the Detroit Lions. They had just three outdoor games, with their trip to Lambeau Field coming in early November and one of the others a trip to Northern California in December. Playing the entire AFC South was also helpful, on the way to a 15-2 record and earning the top seed in the NFC playoffs.

This year's schedule was going to bring a correction. The reveal of the Lions' 2025 opponents showed seven outdoor road games, with 11 games against playoff teams from 2024. Trading the AFC South and the NFC West for the NFC East and the AFC North in terms of entire divisions to play will also be a natural uptick in competition.

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Based on the leaks and reports we've seen ahead of the full official schedule release, here's what the Lions 2025 slate looks like.

Week 1: at Green Bay Packers
Week 2: vs. Chicago Bears
Week 3:
Week 4:
Week 5: at Cincinnati Bengals
Week 6: at Kansas City Chiefs (SNF)
Week 7: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (MNF)
Week 8:
Week 9: vs. Minnesota Vikings
Week 10: at Washington Commanders
Week 11: at Philadelphia Eagles
Week 12: vs. New York Giants
Week 13: vs. Green Bay Packers (Thanksgiving)
Week 14: vs. Dallas Cowboys (TNF)
Week 15: at Los Angeles Rams
Week 16: Pittsburgh Steelers
Week 17: at Minnesota Vikings (Christmas Day)
Week 18: at Chicago Bears

Analyst hits sobering note about Lions' 2025 schedule

Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk wrote about how the Lions' 2025 schedule could be structured to benefit them, and the overall difficulty that will be inherent.

"They’ll play at the Bears, Packers, Commanders, Eagles, Bengals, Ravens, and Chiefs. The Lions will surely be at the mercy of Mother Nature for three or four of those games. Even if the conditions are pristine, none will translate to easy wins — especially since the Lions continue to wear a fairly large target."

"The two biggest cupcakes on the 2025 schedule (Browns and Giants), based on their 3-14 records in 2024, play in Detroit. The only other non-division foe with a losing record in 2024 is the Cowboys, who were 7-10 and also come to Detroit."

"Every team the Lions play on the road, with the exception of the Bears, finished on the right side of .500 last year. Seven of them made the playoffs."

Florio then hit the punch line, as the Lions try to maintain their recent momentum with a reloaded coaching staff.

"An early-season gauntlet can sow doubt. An early-season cakewalk can build confidence."

The only Lions games that have not been leaked as of this writing are the Cleveland Browns (home) and Baltimore Ravens (road), with the remaining week the bye week. But based on what we know, Florio's idea about an early season cakewalk to build confidence is not exactly going to happen.

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