The NFL announced its 2012 preseason schedule this afternoon. While the preseason doesn't count for anything, it is the first football fans will get to see since the end of last season. For the Detroit Lions, it will be the first time fans get to see them take on another team since they were eliminated from the playoffs by the New Orleans Saints.
The 2012 preseason schedule for the Lions includes two familiar foes with the Cleveland Browns and Buffalo Bills set to come to Ford Field. It also includes the Baltimore Ravens and Oakland Raiders, which will host the Lions in the preseason. Here's a look at the full schedule, which will be updated with specific dates and times later in the offseason:
| Wk. | Date | Opponent | Time (ET) | TV |
| 1 | Aug. 9-13 | vs. Cleveland Browns |
TBA |
WXYZ (ABC) |
| 2 | Friday, Aug. 17 | at Baltimore Ravens |
8 p.m. |
FOX (National) |
| 3 | Aug. 23-27 | at Oakland Raiders |
TBA |
WXYZ (ABC) |
| 4 | Aug. 30-31 | vs. Buffalo Bills |
TBA |
WXYZ (ABC) |
It's worth noting that the Lions' game at Baltimore will be televised nationally on FOX. This is the second year in a row the Lions will have a preseason game on national television, as their game against the New England Patriots was televised nationally last preseason.
UPDATE: The dates and times for the preseason games have been finalized.
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