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NFL 2017 schedule: Only 3 teams have more nationally televised games than Lions

The NFL wants the Lions on national television.

Los Angeles Rams v Detroit Lions Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images

The Detroit Lions are going to be on a lot of television screens this year. Their 2017 NFL schedule includes five nationally televised games, including two “Monday Night Football” games, a “Sunday Night Football” game, their Thanksgiving Day Classic and a rare Saturday evening game.

But how does that stack up with the rest of the league? The league is constant adding special games that get nationally televised, like London games, “Thursday Night Football: Saturday edition” games and Mexico City games. So, many teams have a lot of nationally televised games. In fact, over half of the teams in the NFL have at least four games that are currently scheduled to be nationally televised.

It’s worth noting, however, that the television schedule of these games can change, specifically with Sunday night games. Between Week 5 and Week 15, all Sunday night games may be flexed out of the night position. That includes Detroit’s Week 8 game against the Steelers.

It turns out only three teams have more nationally televised games than the Lions: the Cowboys (6), the Chiefs (6) and the Steelers. Here’s how all of the teams rack up:

Cowboys 6
Chiefs 6
Steelers 6
Patriots 5
Vikings 5
Broncos 5
Packers 5
Falcons 5
Ravens 5
Raiders 5
Redskins 5
Dolphins 5
Eagles 5
Lions 5
Giants 4
Texans 4
Colts 4
Seahawks 4
Saints 3
Chargers 3
Cardinals 3
Bears 3
Bengals 2
Rams 2
Buccaneers 2
Panthers 2
Titans 2
49ers 1
Jaguars 1
Browns 1
Bills 1
Jets 1

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