The NFL is already giving us a sneak peek at the 2026 schedule, and the Detroit Lions are making headlines early. Amazon Prime just announced that the Buffalo Bills will host the Lions in Week 2 of Thursday Night Football—a game that also marks the grand opening of Buffalo’s brand-new stadium. That’s a primetime slot right out of the gate.

On top of that, Detroit is set for a game in Munich, Germany, and their annual Thanksgiving Day tradition. That brings the Lions to three nationally televised games already, even before the full schedule drops. But when it comes to primetime specifically, the Lions have been a staple over the last three years. Excluding Thanksgiving, here’s a quick look at their primetime game counts from recent seasons.

So, what can we expect for 2026? I’m predicting the Lions will land at just four primetime games, and here’s why.

First, there’s a bit of Lions fatigue creeping in. Detroit has been in the national spotlight for three straight years, and after a disappointing season, the league might shift focus to fresher stories. Teams like the Bears, Patriots, and Broncos could steal some of that primetime real estate, and those slots have to come from somewhere.

Second, Detroit’s 2026 schedule isn’t exactly loaded with marquee matchups. Sure, games against the Packers or Bears are always primetime-worthy, but the out-of-division slate is less exciting. Beyond the Bills game—already locked into primetime—you’re looking at the Patriots, Saints, Giants, Jets, Buccaneers, Titans, Cardinals, Falcons, Panthers, and Dolphins. You could make a case for the Patriots, Giants, and Buccaneers, but that’s about it.

If the league still believes Detroit can pull in the ratings they’ve enjoyed over the past few seasons, I wouldn’t be shocked to see them at six primetime games again. But after last year’s letdown, I think some of that momentum has deflated. Four primetime games feels like the sweet spot for 2026.