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The NFL schedule rumors keep flying in before the official release set for Thursday at 8 p.m. ET.
REMINDER: Treat these as rumors. Nothing has been confirmed yet.
The latest rumor involves the Detroit Lions’ marquee game: The Thanksgiving Day classic. According to Yinka Ayinde, the Lions will be hosting the Minnesota Vikings for the second straight year:
#Vikings schedule so far...
— Yinka Ayinde (@Saxyprince) April 20, 2017
Week 1: vs. Saints Home Monday Night
Week 8: vs Browns London
Week 9: Bye
Week 12: @Lions Thanksgiving
Last year, the Lions and Vikings faced off in one of the most entertaining Thanksgiving Day games in recent memory. After the Lions tied the game up with just 1:45 remaining, Darius Slay quickly picked off Sam Bradford. Matt Prater kicked the game-winning field goal as time expired to hand Minnesota their fifth loss in six games.
This marks the first time the Lions have played the same opponent on back-to-back Thanksgivings since 1980, when the Lions faced the Chicago Bears for the second-straight year.
In addition to this game, we already have seen rumors showing the Lions will head to the Meadowlands to face the New York Giants on “Monday Night Football” for Week 2 of the season.
It has also been leaked that the Vikings and Bears will play in Week 17, making it very likely that the Lions and Packers will close the season for the second straight year. According to one source, the Lions will be hosting the game again this year:
So Wk 1 vs. SEA. Wk 4 vs CHI. Wk 7 vs NO. Wk 9 vs DET. Wk 16 vs. MINN. Wk 17 @ DET.
— Kyle Cousineau (@KCousineau09) April 20, 2017
Additionally, that Week 9 game in Lambeau? Reportedly another “Monday Night Football” game.
#Packers home schedule:
— Kyle Cousineau (@KCousineau09) April 20, 2017
Wk 1 SEA
Wk 3 CIN
Wk 4 (TNF) CHI
Wk 7 NO
Wk 9 (MNF) DET
Wk 11 BAL
Wk 13 TB
wk 16 (Sat) MINN
Stick with us as we track all of the rumors leading up to the reveal at 8 p.m. ET.
Update: The dates of the game against the Chicago Bears have now been leaked. The Lions will travel to Chicago during Week 11 and will host the Bears Week 15.
.@BradBiggs #Bears Schedule (2/2):
— Aaron Leming (@AaronLemingNFL) April 20, 2017
10. vs GB
11. vs DET
12. @ PHI
13. vs SF
14. @ CIN
15. @ DET
16. vs CLE
17. @ MIN.
The interesting thing about that Week 15 game is that it is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 16.
#Bears December schedule:
— Brad Biggs (@BradBiggs) April 20, 2017
Dec. 3 49ers
Dec. 10 at Bengals
Dec. 16 at Lions
Dec. 24 Browns
Dec. 31 at Vikings
There it is. The full slate.
No word yet on whether that Saturday game will be a “Thursday Night Football: Saturday Edition” game.
Update #2: Kyle Meinke of MLive confirms the two games against the Packers:
The Lions will face the Packers at Lambeau on Monday Night Football in Week 9, then host the Packers in the season finale in a 1 p.m. game
— Kyle Meinke (@kmeinke) April 20, 2017
Update #3: Dave Birkett confirms the Lions will play the Vikings on Thanksgiving:
This may be out there already but Lions are hosting the Vikings on Thanksgiving for the 2nd straight year.
— Dave Birkett (@davebirkett) April 20, 2017