With all the questions about the coronavirus and the “new normal” the NFL is set to go in September. This could change, but it’s reassuring to at least see that the NFL is in planning mode.
The League released the 2020 schedule on Thursday night with the Detroit Lions opening at home on Sept. 13 against the NFC North rival Chicago Bears.
Four of the Lions first six games are on the road — at Green Bay, at Arizona, at Jacksonville and at Atlanta. Conversely four of the final six games will be played at Ford Field.
Detroit, which finished with a 3-12-1 record in 2019, will welcome the Houston Texans on Thanksgiving at Ford Field.
No prime time games for the Lions which is not a surprise given their 2019 finish. Although the late December games give the NFL a chance to tinker with the schedule and times so perhaps the Lions will end up with a night-time kickoff.
The regular season wraps up with what could be a big factor for the postseason — at home against the Minnesota Vikings on Jan. 3.
REGULAR SEASON
Sept. 13 — vs. Bears
Sept. 20 — at Green Bay
Sept. 27 — at Arizona, 4:25 p.m.
Oct. 4 — vs. New Orleans
Oct. 11 — Bye
Oct. 18 — at Jacksonville
Oct. 25 — at Atlanta
Nov. 1 — vs Indianapolis
Nov. 8 — at Minnesota
Nov . 15 — vs Washington
Nov. 22 — at Carolina
Nov. 26 — vs. Houston, 12:30 p.m.
Dec. 6 — at Chicago
Dec. 13 — vs Green Bay
Dec. 19/20 — at Tennessee, TBD
Dec. 26/27 — vs Tampa Bay TBD
Jan. 3 — vs Minnesota
(All games at 1 p.m. unless otherwise noted)
PRESEASON
Aug. 13-17 — at New England
Aug. 20 — vs. New York Jets
Aug. 27-30 — at Miami
Sept. 3-4 — vs Buffalo
(No times set for preseason games)
Lions Lowdown 