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The 2020 NFL schedule comes out officially at 8 p.m. ET Thursday night, but between now and then we’re going to hear a lot of rumors, leaks and speculation about the Detroit Lions’ schedule.
Here’s what we already know: We already know all 16 of the Lions’ 2020 opponents. We know which teams the Lions will face at home and which will be on the road. And, for now, the schedule is expected to have the season begin on time, with the first game of the season on Thursday, September 10.
Everything else is still speculation at this point, but we’ll try to separate fact from fiction here, trying only to acknowledge reports and rumors from legitimate sources. That’s not always easy to tell, as storied reporter John Clayton reported on Wednesday that the NFL schedule will feature AFC vs. NFC games for each of the first four games of the season. That is already being refuted by many, including an ESPN reporter.
Lions schedule rumor tracker
- Per Danny Perkins of Chicago radio 670 The Score, the Lions will host the Chicago Bears in Week 1
- Also per Perkins, the Bears will be playing the Packers in Week 17. That means the Lions will play the Vikings to finish the season, though it’s unclear if it’s home or away.
- Per Milwaukee Journal Sentinel’s Tom Silverstein, the Lions will travel to Green Bay in Week 2.
- Per NBC Houston’s Vanessa Richardson, the Lions will host the Texans on Thanksgiving.
Schedule thus far
Week 1 - vs. Bears (home)
Week 2 - at Packers (source)
Week 3 -
Week 4 - vs. Saints (source)
Week 5
Week 6
Week 7
Week 8
Week 9
Week 10
Week 11
Week 12 - vs. Texans (Thanksgiving) - (Source)
Week 13 - at Bears (Source)
Week 14
Week 15
Week 16
Week 17 - vs. Vikings (not sure if home or away)
Lions 2020 opponents
Home: Packers, Bears, Vikings, Saints, Buccaneers, Texans, Colts, Washington
Away: Packers, Bears, Vikings, Titans, Jaguars, Panthers, Falcons, Cardinals