The Lions will open the 2023 season in primetime against the Chiefs. And they will end it -- the regular season, anyway -- at home against the Vikings. After thorough review of their pigskin platter, which was released Thursday night, here are the Lions' five juiciest games in 2023.
Week 1 @ Chiefs
Think the hype is real? A year ago at this time, the Lions were coming off their fourth straight last-place finish and didn't have a single primetime game on their schedule. Now they're favored to win the NFC North and kicking off the NFL season on Thursday Night Football against the Super Bowl champs and their MVP quarterback. Dan Campbell's Lions made a statement in the regular season finale last year, with the whole country watching. They can make an even bigger one in the season-opener this year.
Bonus: It's the Lions' first trip to Arrowhead Stadium in 20 years. Hopefully this one turns out better than a 45-17 loss.
Week 2 vs. Seahawks
The home-opener ... in front of a crowd that will be frothing at the mouth ... against the team that embarrassed the Lions last October and then stole their playoff spot in January. How's that to get things going at Ford Field? The Lions may have hit rock bottom last season when they failed to force a punt against Geno Smith and the Seahawks in a 48-45 loss in Week 4, which served as the tiebreaker Seattle needed in Week 18. For the Lions, here's a chance to redeem themselves and make an early statement against a fellow challenger in the NFC.
Week 4 @ Packers
Last time the Lions visited Lambeau, they sent Aaron Rodgers packing -- get it? -- and knocked Green Bay out of the playoffs in one of the most-watched Sunday Night Football games of last season. They'll return in the spotlight of Thursday Night Football, with the Packers seeking revenge and Jordan Love playing his first primetime game as Rodgers' successor. Yeah, the first month of the season is a doozy for Detroit. We all might be drunk by October.
Related
Week 5 vs. Panthers
Keep the beers coming. This felt like a throwaway game when the Lions' opponents were announced back in January. Then the Panthers hired a new head coach in Frank Reich, loaded up on offense with the likes of Miles Sanders, Adam Thielen and ex-Lion DJ Chark, and swung a trade for the No. 1 pick in the draft to select quarterback Bryce Young. Let's see what they've got. The Lions also have a score to settle with Carolina, who upended their playoff push last season with a beatdown on Christmas Eve.
Week 13 @ Saints
Homecomings for Dan Campbell and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn, who were groomed in New Orleans under Sean Payton before making the move to Detroit. They'll want to return with a bang -- and their players will know it. The Superdome will be rocking, as always, and the Lions will get their first look at Derek Carr as quarterback of the Saints.
Side Platters
Since everyone's tastes are different, we'd be remiss not to mention a Week 7 road clash with Lamar Jackson and the Ravens, which stands to be Jameson Williams' season debut after he serves his six-game suspension for gambling; a Monday Night Football tilt with the Raiders at Ford Field in Week 8; and a Saturday night trip to Jerry World in Week 17 that could have major playoff implications for both the Lions and Cowboys ...
.. and hell, pretty much every other game on the schedule in a season that can't come soon enough.
Related
