ALLEN PARK -- Now that we know the order, dates and prime-time schedule, let's dive into our way-too-early game-by-game predictions for the Detroit Lions.
MLive's Detroit Lions beat writers, Ben Raven and Kory Woods, will offer their predictions for each game in this post. It's a jam-packed road schedule, with five prime-time games and dates on Thanksgiving and Christmas for the first time in the century.
See below for our predictions and scroll to the bottom for our projected final records:
Week 1 -- at Green Bay Packers | 4:25 p.m. (CBS)
Ben: There is no way I'm picking against Dan Campbell and these Lions in the opener after how last year ended. Put anyone here, and I'm picking the Lions. They know what people are saying about their pass rush and all the new faces on their coaching staff, and I fully expect them to come out of the gates red hot and pissed off. They extend their winning streak at Lambeau Field to four games. WIN
Kory: It's been 20 years since Detroit and Green Bay opened a season against each other, and 24 years since it happened at Lambeau Field. The last time, 59,523 fans watched the Packers roll to a 28-6 win. Don't expect history to repeat itself. A Week 1 meeting on the Packers' turf is a refreshing change of pace. Even with some key players missing, the Lions still have the more talented roster -- and Dan Campbell seems to have Matt LaFleur's number. This will be a dogfight with major implications for the division crown later down the road. Look for the Lions to make a statement that the road to the NFC North title still runs through Detroit. WIN
Week 2 -- vs. Chicago Bears | 1 p.m. (Fox)
Ben: If anyone is going to bring the Chicago Bears back to competitiveness, it's going to be Ben Johnson. The weapons are there, they have invested heavily in an offensive line, and the pairing with Caleb Williams is a home-run pairing. But these Bears aren't anywhere near Detroit's level, and a home opener from Ford Field is a different type of beast. Expect a rowdy welcome back for Johnson. WIN
Kory: Of all the games on the Lions' schedule, their first showdown with the Bears might be the most anticipated. Ben Johnson's departure to take a head coaching job was expected, but his move within the division -- and taking assistants with him -- added fuel to the fire. The spotlight here is Johnson coaching against his former boss for the first time. Dan Campbell always has his team ready for big games, and that won't change now. With questions swirling about how the offense will look post-Johnson, expect Campbell to send a clear message. WIN
Week 3 -- at Baltimore Ravens | 8:15 p.m. (ESPN/ABC for Monday Night Football)
Ben: After starting the season 2-0 inside the division, the Lions run into the buzzsaw that is Lamar Jackson, Derrick Henry and the Baltimore Ravens. It's on the road and under the lights against a team that matches up better than most against Detroit. The Lions are a much better team than the one that got mopped off the field in Baltimore a couple of years ago. But the Ravens are a tough matchup at every level, and they command a ton of earned respect. LOSS
Kory: Think back to how the Lions looked in Week 15 against the Bills or in last year's playoff loss to the Commanders -- this could be worse. Lamar Jackson torched the Lions for 357 yards and three touchdowns in their last meeting (2023), and he's an even better dual-threat now. There are serious questions about how this front seven will handle him, especially with Aidan Hutchinson coming off injury and no proven pass rusher opposite him. LOSS
Week 4 -- vs. Cleveland Browns | 1 p.m. (Fox)
Ben: This is one of those games where it wouldn't be surprising to see the Lions favored by more than two touchdowns. WIN
Kory: Detroit hasn't lost back-to-back games since Week 8 of the 2022 season, and that streak continues here. The Lions will edge the Browns in a gritty one. The addition of rookie Tate Ratledge solidifies the offensive line, and he's likely to start from Day 1. But they'll have their hands full with Myles Garrett and rookie standout Mason Graham. The real edge comes from Cleveland's uncertain quarterback situation -- the Lions' secondary should feast. WIN
Week 5 -- at Cincinnati Bengals | 4:25 p.m. (Fox)
Ben: Don't overlook the Bengals just because their front office can't take two steps forward without stubbing their toes. If Joe Burrow plays anywhere near the levels he was last year, they will be a tough out. It's an early test for the secondary. Burrow, Tee Higgins and Ja'Marr Chasae are no joke. Still, I'm buying the Lions. WIN
Kory: The Lions haven't beaten the Bengals since Nov. 22, 1992, when Barry Sanders ran wild for 151 yards and a touchdown. While no one's comparing eras, Detroit enters this game with its strongest ground game since Sanders' heyday. Still, this feels like a potential dud. Joe Burrow, Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins are even more dangerous now, and it could be a long afternoon for Detroit's secondary. LOSS
Week 6 -- at Kansas City Chiefs | 8:20 p.m. (NBC for Sunday Night Football)
Ben: Talk about a tough stretch, and it might not even be the toughest one. The Lions went into Kansas City a couple of years ago and showed everyone they were for real. They haven't looked back since. Patrick Mahomes and Co. had things to fix, specifically on the O-line, and it seems like it was a fruitful offseason in KC. Mahomes and the Chiefs haven't forgotten about losing on ring night two years ago, and seeing how their fans/stadium respond after being invaded the last time around is something to watch. LOSS
Kory: A potential Super Bowl preview? Maybe. After spoiling the Chiefs' banner ceremony in 2023 and edging them in the preseason (2024), the Lions have shown they aren't intimidated by Arrowhead Stadium or Patrick Mahomes. They've proven they belong under the bright lights. WIN
Week 7 -- vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 7 p.m. (ESPN/ABC for Monday Night Football)
Ben: These two are no strangers to each other, with three meetings, including one in the playoffs in two years. The Lions lost to the Bucs at home last season, and I don't think anyone has forgotten for a second. It's sure to be a back-and-forth game as these two always seem to play a physical, close contest. WIN
Kory: Back home after a tough road stretch, the Lions return to primetime -- this time on Monday Night Football -- against a team responsible for one of their two regular-season losses last year. Expect a little revenge here, especially with new defensive line coach Kacy Rodgers getting a shot at his former team. WIN
Ben: Aidan Hutchinson gets to welcome J.J. McCarthy back to Michigan in one of the season's most anticipated Sunday, 1 p.m. games. These two NFC North powerhouses suffered heartbreaking failures in the playoffs last year. The Vikings are too well-coached to fall too far. But there are some growing pains to be expected with a first-year starting quarterback. WIN
Kory: Coming out of the bye at 5-2, Detroit should be locked in. With two losses already, there's no room for a slip-up. The goal now is to create distance in the division, and that starts with staying perfect in NFC North play. Campbell, like with LaFleur, seems to have Kevin O'Connell's number. Rookie J.J. McCarthy is expected to be under center -- and he's in for a classic "Welcome to the NFL" moment. WIN
Week 10 -- at Washington Commanders | 4:25 p.m. (Fox)
Ben: Speaking of last year's playoff failures. The Lions get a chance to get one back on the Commanders after the shootout divisional-round loss from Ford Field. Kelvin Sheppard has had a long time to think and prepare for how he might approach Jayden Daniels after getting torched that night. This would be a major win in the NFC playoff picture while also representing a chance to erase some demons. Campbell is the perfect coach to have for these games, with his magic touch for balancing the emotions. WIN
Kory: While Week 2 against the Bears may be the most anticipated game outside the locker room, this one against the Commanders might be the one the Lions are circling inside it. Washington embarrassed Detroit 45-31 in the divisional round at Ford Field last season to advance to the NFC Championship. Several Commanders players celebrated loudly in the visitors locker room, even posing for photos in Cartier Buffalo Horn glasses -- a Detroit fashion staple known as "Buffs." The Lions haven't forgotten. Another revenge game. WIN
Week 11 -- at Philadelphia Eagles | 8:20 p.m. (NBC for Sunday Night Football)
Ben: Remember when I spoke about an even tougher stretch? Well, this is the third leg of that gauntlet, with a daunting trip to Philadelphia under the lights in one of the NFL's most anticipated games of the campaign. We didn't get to see this in the NFC title game last year. Much like the Ravens, the Eagles are one of those teams that are loaded across the board and present a ton of matchup problems. This could be a key learning experience ahead of the postseason. LOSS
Kory: Detroit's hot streak comes to a halt against an Eagles team poised for another Super Bowl run -- if they stay healthy. Philadelphia might be the league's most complete roster, featuring electric running back Saquon Barkley and a quarterback in Jalen Hurts who continues to rise among the league's elite. The environment in Philly will be hostile, and the Lions' four-game win streak ends here. LOSS
Kory: Do we really need to go deep here? The Giants were a tougher team in 2022 when the Lions beat them late in the season -- and Detroit was still finding itself. Fast forward to now, and the Giants are deep in rebuild mode, while the Lions have their sights set on February. WIN
Week 13 (Thanksgiving) -- vs. Green Bay Packers | 1 p.m. (Fox)
Ben: Not even hating on the Packers, this is just a situation where I love how the Lions stack up against them. Perhaps Jordan Love takes that monumental step forward that every ESPN employee thought he would last year. But maybe he still doesn't have enough around him, which feels very possible. Campbell continues to own the Packers, bringing smiles across the state for Thanksgiving. WIN
Kory: Facing the Packers on a short week is never ideal, but this is the stretch of the season when things start to intensify. The Lions will lean on home-field advantage and send the Ford Field crowd home happy on Thanksgiving. WIN
Week 14 -- vs. Dallas Cowboys | 8:15 p.m. (Amazon Prime for Thursday Night Football)
Ben: Not even the back-to-back Thursday situation can make me entertain the idea that the Lions won't handle the Cowboys. These two teams looked like they were playing different sports last year, and that's a hard image to forget. WIN
Kory: It's about time the Cowboys made their way back to Ford Field. For a while, it seemed the NFL forgot they were allowed to. Dallas gave Dak Prescott another weapon in George Pickens, and their offense should be clicking by now -- but so should the Lions' defense under new coordinator Kelvin Sheppard. Detroit hasn't forgotten the heartbreak of 2023. Expect the wide receivers to rise to the occasion once again. And let's face it -- primetime and the Lions go hand in hand these days. WIN
Week 15 -- at Los Angeles Rams | 4:25 p.m. (Fox)
Ben: Ah, yes, another Stafford-Goff bowl. This time, back from Los Angeles, where the Lions will be coming off a 10-day break after back-to-back Thursday games. The Rams reminded everyone last year never to count them out, so buckle up for another entertaining thriller between these two forever-connected franchises. WIN
Kory: Don't expect to hear chants for Jared Goff or any viral sideline drama this time around at SoFi Stadium. The Rams have retooled and should be in the NFC West hunt. Matthew Stafford hasn't fared well against the Lions at Ford Field, but now Detroit heads west. Stafford will likely be looking for payback -- and he could challenge the Lions' secondary until it cracks. LOSS
Week 16 -- vs. Pittsburgh Steelers | 4:25 p.m. (CBS)
Ben: Will Aaron Rodgers play for the Steelers? Honestly, it doesn't matter, and they're better off owning next year's draft. WIN
Kory: Like the Giants, the Steelers are in full rebuild mode. Even if they add a 41-year-old free agent quarterback, they don't have much on offense to trouble Detroit. Pittsburgh's defense always plays tough, but they'll be on the field a lot in this one. Expect Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery -- aka Sonic and Knuckles -- to wear them down. WIN
Week 17 (Christmas/Thursday) -- at Minnesota Vikings | 4:30 p.m. (Netflix)
Ben: Personally, I went back and forth between a loss on either Christmas or Week 18 in Chicago. It was one of those things where the first time I saw the schedule, a gut feeling arose, and sometimes you have to trust your gut. The Lions have to travel to one of the NFL's most electric environments for Christmas, and the Vikings could (should) be hitting their stride by Week 17. LOSS
Kory: The Lions make their Netflix debut on Christmas Day at U.S. Bank Stadium. By this point, it could turn into a hat-and-T-shirt game -- once again against the Vikings. While they may not be wrapping up the No. 1 seed, expect Dan Campbell to out coach Kevin O'Connell once more and deliver a third straight division crown. WIN
Week 18 -- at Chicago Bears | TBD
Ben: Dan Campbell sweeps Ben Johnson in their first year of meetings on opposite sidelines, and the Lions clinch the NFC North or betting playoff positioning in the process. The weather is always a factor in Chicago this late in the season, and it's the first time the Lions have closed the season from Soldier Field since 2015. WIN
Kory: With the NFC North locked up and playoff seeding likely set, the Lions may give their starters a series or a quarter before turning things over to the backups. That could open the door for Ben Johnson to get his first win against his former team -- but it won't be the one that truly matters. LOSS
You know what? Thirteen wins with this road schedule and inside a tough division while breaking in a ton of new assistants and two new coordinators is pretty dang good. At this time last year, I predicted the Lions would run the table in the NFC North on their way to back-to-back division titles, which turned out to be true.
It's a great division. It's going to be competitive all the way.
The schedule is daunting, with a couple of difficult stretches (specifically looking at Weeks 3-7, and Weeks 9-11). But Campbell and these Lions wouldn't have it any other way. This franchise has built a staff, roster and culture that are hard to bet against, no matter the opponent and location.
The offense should remain one of the most electric in the league, and it's hard to imagine that talented group taking a step back. Aidan Hutchinson's return is an instant shot in the arm for the defense, with DJ Reed boosting the ceiling of the secondary. There are two new coordinators, but they aren't new to the operation, and that matters. There is already an understanding and familiarity that should accelerate anything resembling an acclimation period.
This 13-win record, a three-peat inside of the NFC North, and more home playoff games are more than simply realistic; it's become the expectation and the standard. It's also a focused team with an elite head coach who is starving to break through to that next level.