Detroit Lions 2011 Preseason Schedule Announced

Although the NFL is in lockout mode right now, the league announced the complete 2011 preseason schedule on Tuesday. Now, I'm never one to get overly excited for the preseason, but the Lions' schedule has me pumped for football. Allow me to explain.

Detroit's preseason schedule includes usual opponents like the Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns and Buffalo Bills. Nothing is new there. This year, however, it also includes a game at home against the New England Patriots. That game will be on CBS. No, CBS Detroit isn't going to randomly broadcast one game. The Patriots matchup will be nationally televised!

Last year's Thanksgiving game did very well in the ratings and was between the Lions and Patriots, so I guess CBS figured a rematch in the preseason would be worth showing to a national audience. It has been a long time since the Lions have been given enough love to have any non-Thanksgiving game shown nationally, so this is a very encouraging sign for the 2011 regular season and the Lions potentially getting a game on Monday Night Football.

Here is a look at the full 2011 Lions preseason schedule:

Now we just need to hope the lockout doesn't continue too far into the summer, as teams reportedly will need at least three weeks of training camp to open the preseason on time.