Lions Could Kick Off 2020 With Four Games Against AFC South

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In the event the NFL has to alter the 2020 season, it appears the league is pushing the more important matchups to the back of the schedule. 

The first four weeks of the season will be dedicated to games between the NFC and AFC, Jon Clayton said Wednesday, according to Pittsburgh's 93.7 The Fan. The full schedule is set to be released Thursday night. 

.@JohnClaytonNFL tells @937theFan that the NFL schedule will be NFC vs AFC for the 1st 4 weeks of the season. Steelers play the NFC East. So 1st 4 games would be Cowboys, Eagles, Redskins, and Giants.

— Andrew Fillipponi (@ThePoniExpress) May 6, 2020

The NFC North is paired with the AFC South this year, meaning the Lions are set to face the Texans, Titans, Colts and Jaguars. They're scheduled to host Indianapolis and Houston, while visiting Tennessee and Jacksonville. 

It would be an intriguing first four games for Detroit.

The Texans, the reigning division champs, just underwent an offseason makeover. The Titans are fresh off a surprising trip to the AFC Championship. The Colts are trying to squeeze one more season out of Philip Rivers. And the Jags are hoping for more Minshew Mania.

The COVID-19 pandemic is threatening to delay the start of the season. If the NFL has to sacrifice some games, those between the NFC and AFC would make the most sense. The potential playoff implications are much bigger between conference and division opponents. 

In addition to their NFC North foes, the Lions will also face all four teams from the NFC South, plus the Redskins and Cardinals in 2020.