The NFL schedule release is still officially under wraps, but another piece of the Detroit Lions' 2026 puzzle may have just surfaced—and it points to a potentially explosive season finale.

According to a report from the Minnesota Star Tribune's Ben Goessling, the Minnesota Vikings are expected to host the Chicago Bears in their Week 18 regular-season finale. Since the NFL now schedules all final-week games as divisional matchups, that leaves only one NFC North pairing unaccounted for: the Detroit Lions versus the Green Bay Packers.

While it's not yet confirmed whether the game will take place at Ford Field or Lambeau Field, the stakes alone are enough to get fans buzzing. The Lions and Packers have developed one of the NFL's most intense modern rivalries under head coach Dan Campbell, marked by physical battles, emotional finishes, and high postseason drama. With both teams consistently battling near the top of the division, it's entirely possible this clash carries playoff or even NFC North title implications.

This isn't the first schedule leak involving the Lions. Earlier reports suggested Detroit will host the Bears on Thanksgiving Day—a game that would see former Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson return to Ford Field as Chicago's head coach. As rumors continue to trickle out across social media, anticipation for the official NFL schedule release is growing stronger by the day.

If the Lions truly are set to close out the regular season against Green Bay, the NFL may once again be setting the stage for a dramatic NFC North finish—and fans won't want to miss a second of it.