The 2026 NFL schedule is officially out, and Detroit Lions fans finally know exactly when their team will take the field. While we already knew the opponents, the timing of each game adds a whole new layer of excitement. Here are three things to love about the Lions' upcoming slate.

1. A Return to Sunday Afternoon Football

There's something special about a 1 p.m. ET kickoff. You get to watch the Lions, then settle in for the 4 p.m. games, grab dinner, and still have "Sunday Night Football" to cap off the weekend. This season, Detroit has eight games starting at 1 p.m.—up from just five last year. It's the silver lining of a weaker schedule: fewer primetime slots, but more of those classic, low-key Sunday afternoons that fans love.

2. Only One Monday Night Game—and It's at Home

Monday Night Football has its appeal: extra coverage, a bigger audience, and a special broadcast. But for Lions fans, the extra wait and the short rest for the next game can be a drag. This year, Detroit's sole "Monday Night Football" appearance comes in Week 16 against the New York Giants—and thankfully, it's at Ford Field, not in New Jersey. That's a win for the home crowd and the team's travel schedule.

3. A Front-Loaded Soft Start

The Lions are projected to have one of the easiest schedules in the NFL, but we all know anything can happen on game day. What stands out is the first half of the season (Weeks 1-9). The combined 2025 record of those opponents is just 57-78-1. The toughest test is a Week 2 road trip to face the Buffalo Bills on "Thursday Night Football." Otherwise, Detroit opens against the New Orleans Saints and later faces former defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn and the New York Jets. If the Lions can build momentum early, they'll have some breathing room if the second half gets tougher.