Context:

The Detroit Lions are preparing for the 2025 NFL season after finishing the previous year as the No.1 seed in the NFC with a 15-2 record, only to suffer a surprising playoff defeat to the Washington Commanders. With high expectations for the upcoming season, the Lions face a formidable challenge as they have the third hardest schedule in the NFL, as calculated by Warren Sharp using projected 2025 win totals from Vegas oddsmakers. Only the Cleveland Browns and New York Giants have tougher schedules, while the San Francisco 49ers and New England Patriots have the easiest. The full 2025 NFL schedule, detailing the 17-game slate for all teams, is set for release on May 14, and although the exact dates for the Lions' games are not yet known, their list of opponents has been confirmed. The Lions will play home games against teams like the Chicago Bears and Dallas Cowboys, and road games that include the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs, promising a challenging season ahead.

Dive Deeper:

• The Detroit Lions ended the 2024 NFL season as the top seed in the NFC with an impressive 15-2 record, yet their successful run was cut short by a surprising playoff loss to the Washington Commanders in the divisional round.

• In 2025, the Lions are expected to remain a strong contender in the NFC, but they will face a significant challenge, having the third hardest schedule in the league based on Warren Sharp's analysis of projected win totals from Vegas oddsmakers.

• The only teams with tougher schedules than the Lions are the Cleveland Browns and New York Giants, while the San Francisco 49ers and New England Patriots have the easiest paths to navigate.

• The complete 2025 NFL schedule will be released on May 14, providing a clear picture of each team's 17-game slate, although some games have already been announced ahead of this date.

• The Lions' confirmed opponents for the 2025 season include home games against the Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers, and Dallas Cowboys, and challenging road games against teams such as the Philadelphia Eagles, Kansas City Chiefs, and Baltimore Ravens.

• Detroit's offensive coordinator, John Morton, has expressed high expectations for wide receiver Jameson Williams, indicating optimism about the team's offensive capabilities heading into the new season.

• Despite the challenging schedule, the Lions are expected to be a formidable team in the 2025 NFL season, with strategic planning and execution being critical to their continued success.

• The Detroit Lions will be looking to have even more success in 2025. Dan Campbell's squad finished as the No.1 seed in the NFC in 2024 with a 15-2 record, but suffered a shocking playoff defeat to the Washington Commanders in the divisional round, ending a magical year on a sour note.

• Heading into 2025, the Lions should return as one of the top teams in the NFC, but it won't be easy. According to Warren Sharp of Sharp Football Analysis, Detroit has the third hardest schedule in football in 2025. Sharp calculates strength of schedule by taking the projected 2025 win totals from Vegas oddsmakers.

• The Cleveland Browns and New York Giants are the only teams with tougher schedules than the Lions. On the other hand, the San Francisco 49ers and New England Patriots have the easiest schedules.

• The full 2025 NFL schedule is set to release on May 14. The league has been announcing select games early, but we will know the entire 17-game slate by Wednesday at 8 p.m. ET.

• Though we don't know when the Lions will play their 2025 opponents, we already have the complete list of teams they will play this year. Here is the list if you missed it.

• Home games: Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

• Road games: Bears, Packers, Vikings, Washington Commanders, Philadelphia Eagles, Cincinnati Bengals, Baltimore Ravens, Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Rams

• MORE DETROIT LIONS NEWS

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• Lions schedule 2025: Release dates and times, list of opponents, strength of schedule