Who’s Next for the Pride? Weighing the Detroit Lions’ Options
The roar of the Ford Field faithful has barely faded, the echoes of the Detroit Lions’ remarkable season still reverberating through the city. Yet, the relentless march of the NFL calendar continues, and with the offseason in full swing, the question on every Honolulu blue-bleeding fan’s mind is: who will the Lions face next? While the full schedule release is still months away, the landscape of potential opponents is beginning to take shape, offering a tantalizing glimpse into the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for Dan Campbell’s squad.
The 2025 NFL season promises a compelling slate of games for the Lions, a team no longer considered an underdog but a legitimate contender in the NFC. Their schedule will be a blend of divisional battles, intraconference clashes, and interconference contests, each carrying its own unique narrative and implications.
Within the NFC North, the Lions will, as always, face their familiar foes twice: the Chicago Bears, the Green Bay Packers, and the Minnesota Vikings. These divisional matchups are always hard-fought, steeped in history and often carrying significant weight in the playoff race. The Bears, with their young quarterback Caleb Williams entering his sophomore season, will be looking to build on their progress and challenge the Lions’ divisional supremacy. The Packers, led by their own ascending young quarterback in Jordan Love, have proven to be a resilient and dangerous opponent, capable of upsetting any team on any given Sunday. The Vikings, despite some offseason questions, remain a talented team with offensive firepower that can test even the most stout defenses. These six games alone will form a crucial foundation for the Lions’ season.
Beyond the division, the NFL’s scheduling formula dictates that the Lions will play each team from one other NFC division and one AFC division. For the 2025 season, the Lions are slated to face the entirety of the NFC East and the AFC West.
The NFC East presents a fascinating array of opponents. The Dallas Cowboys, perennial contenders with a star-studded roster, will provide a high-stakes matchup that could have significant playoff implications. The Philadelphia Eagles, boasting a Super Bowl appearance in recent memory, will offer another stern test against a battle-hardened team. The Washington Commanders, with the dynamic rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels leading their offense after a surprising playoff run, will be a compelling contest. Even the New York Giants, despite their recent struggles, possess the potential to be a tricky opponent, especially on their home turf. These matchups against the NFC East will gauge the Lions’ ability to compete against some of the conference’s elite.
The AFC West brings its own set of intriguing challenges. A showdown against the Kansas City Chiefs, led by the seemingly unstoppable Patrick Mahomes, would be a marquee game, a potential Super Bowl preview that would draw national attention. A clash with the Denver Broncos, now quarterbacked by veteran Russell Wilson, adds another layer of intrigue. The Las Vegas Raiders, under a new coaching regime, will be looking to establish their identity and could prove to be a tough out. Finally, a matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers, with their talented young quarterback Justin Herbert, promises an exciting offensive battle. These interconference games against the AFC West will provide a measuring stick against some of the AFC’s top teams.
Adding further spice to the schedule are the two remaining games, which are determined by the Lions’ finish in their division in the previous season. These games will be against teams that finished in the same position in the other two NFC divisions that the Lions are not already scheduled to play. This adds an element of unpredictability to the schedule, potentially pitting the Lions against other playoff contenders from around the conference.
As fans eagerly await the official schedule release, the speculation and anticipation surrounding these potential matchups will only continue to grow. Each opponent presents a unique set of challenges and opportunities for the Detroit Lions as they aim to build on their recent success and solidify their status as a true force in the NFL. The journey ahead is filled with compelling storylines and the promise of thrilling football, and the question of who the Lions will play next is just the first chapter in what promises to be another captivating season.
