NFL playoffs – Lions Lowdown

Detroit Lions 2026 schedule released; includes 4 prime-time games

Showcase games are for the NFL contenders so count the Detroit Lions in once again. In the 2026 schedule, which was released Thursday night, the Lions will play in at least four prime-time games — one at home and three on the road. That number could climb to five, but the day and time for the Week 18 game at Green Bay has not been set.

The Lions open at home against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, Sept. 13. Connections can be found on both sides. Lions coach Dan Campbell spent five seasons as assistant head coach/tight ends coach with the Saints. New Orleans head coach Kellen Moore was with the Lions as Mathew Stafford’s backup from 2012 to 2014.

Detroit won’t have much time to prepare for Week 2 which is a Thursday night game at the Buffalo Bills. The other prime-time games are: Oct. 4 at the Arizona Cardinals, Dec. 20 at the Minnesota Vikings and Monday, Dec. 28 hosting the N.Y. Giants.

As previously announced, the Lions will play the New England Patriots in Munich, Germany, on Nov. 15 at 9:30 a.m.

The bye week in Week 6 isn’t ideal coming in the first third of an 18-game season. Neither is scheduling Week 2 on a Thursday night. Also, teams that play in Europe often get the next week as a bye but that won’t happen for the Lions. They’ll be home to the Tampa Bay Bucs on Nov. 22.

Here is the complete schedule:

WEEK	DATE	OPPONENT	TIME	TV
1	Sunday, September 13	vs. New Orleans Saints	1:00 p.m.	FOX
2	Thursday, September 17	at Buffalo Bills	8:15 p.m.	PRIME
3	Sunday, September 27	vs. New York Jets	1:00 p.m.	FOX
4	Sunday, October 4	at Carolina Panthers	8:20 p.m.	NBC
5	Sunday, October 11	at Arizona Cardinals	4:25 p.m.	FOX
6		BYE WEEK
7	Sunday, October 25	vs. Green Bay Packers	4:25 p.m.	FOX
8	Sunday, November 1	vs. Minnesota Vikings	1:00 p.m.	FOX
9	Sunday, November 8	at Miami Dolphins	1:00 p.m.	FOX
10	Sunday, November 15	vs. New England Patriots (Munich)	9:30 a.m.	FOX
11	Sunday, November 22	vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers	1:00 p.m.	CBS
12	Thursday, November 26	vs. Chicago Bears	1:00 p.m.	CBS
13	Sunday, December 6	at Atlanta Falcons	1:00 p.m.	CBS
14	Sunday, December 13	vs. Tennessee Titans	1:00 p.m.	FOX
15	Sunday, December 20	at Minnesota Vikings	8:20 p.m.	NBC
16	Monday, December 28	vs. New York Giants	8:15 p.m.	ESPN
17	Sunday, January 3	at Chicago Bears	4:25 p.m.	FOX
18	TBD	at Green Bay Packers	TBD	TBD

Fifth round: Lions draft CB Keith Abney II and WR Kendrick Law

ALLEN PARK — The Lions added depth at wide receiver and defensive back with a pair of fifth-round picks on Sautrday.

The Lions made their third straight defensive draft pick, selecting CB Keith Abney II in the fifth round (157th overall) on Saturday.

In 2025, Abney started 12 games at Arizona State and led the Sun Devils with 12 PBUs. He also notched 2 interceptions, 2 forced fumbles, 44 tackles and a sack. In 2024 He started all 14 games and led the teams with 9 PBUs and 3 interceptions.

He was projected by some to be a third-round pick but slid to fifth.

“The wait doesn’t even matter. I’m just glad to be a Lion. It means everything — a great program, great culture, cheat coaches, great people around. I’m blessed to be here,’’ Abney said on a Zoom call. “Feeling all the emotions, dropped a couple tears. It’s a dream come true and the Lions happen to be one of my favorite teams.’’

He said the Lions have been one of his favorites since 2021 or so mentioning Megatron, Calvin Johnson.

Abney lists his football IQ as one of his strengths. “I pride myself on being a smart player, watch a lot of film and understand concepts and understand formations, pick up on tendencies. My feet and my toughness. That’s why I love this team – it’s a tough team I’m joining and I’ll fit right in,’’ Abney said.

Abney, 21, was a four-time national champion speed skater growing up. He gave it up in ninth grade but credits the roller sport for his endurance.

NFL analyst Lance Zierlein’s wrote about Abney: “Feisty boundary corner with the makeup to slide inside and become a problem for offenses as a pro nickelback.”

Then the Lions sent fifth-and sixth-round picks to the Buffalo Bills to trade up 13 spots to 168 in the fifth round to draft to select WR Kendrick Law.

The 5-11 wide receiver played his first three seasons at Alabama before transferring to Kentucky for the 2025 season. He led the Wildcats with 53 receptions, 540 receiving yards (10.2 per), 3 receiving TDs. He played in 12 games with 8 starts (8-53-6.6 rushing; 9-174-19.3 KR; 3-8-2.7 PR).

Zierlein’s report: “Alabama transfer with a compact build whose primary function at Kentucky was to add yards after the catch on quick throws near the line of scrimmage. Law ran a limited route tree, with most of his 2025 targets thrown behind the line. Tight hips dull downfield route breaks and he rarely runs routes at his true speed. He has strong hands to make contested grabs and breaks tackles on a regular basis with the ball in his hands. Law’s special-teams background at Alabama helps but might not be enough for him to stick on a roster.”

In the first four rounds the Lions drafted OT Blake Miller (17th overall), EDGE Derrick Moore (44th) and LB Jimmy Rolder (118th).

After disappointing season, GM Brad Holmes says ‘Lions aren’t that far off’

Despite a disappointing 9-8 season, Lions GM Brad Holmes still believes the Lions are close to being an NFL contender.

“I don’t think that we’re that far off. I personally don’t,’’ Holmes said at a season-ending press conference on Thursday. “We have a lot of good players, we have a lot of good young ascending players, we have a really good quarterback, we have the right coach. I do think we’re very close.’’

Holmes has already started an introspection top to bottom of why the Lions came up short and failed to make the playoffs.

“We’ll be looking at everything, but I do not think that this is a deep surgery overhaul,’’ Holmes said. “I don’t think that but obviously there needs to be some adjustments.’’

Holmes answered questions for about 40 minutes. He was short on specifics which is his tendency but seems determined to right the ship which finished 2024 with a 15-2 record.

“Bottom line, for our standards, this was a disappointment,’’ Holmes said. “When we set out for this journey for this season it wasn’t to match last year’s record or exceed last year’s record — it doesn’t really matter what the record is — bottom line is if we’re not in the dance and we’re not competing for a championship then it’s a failure.’’

Plain and simple.

Offensive coordinator John Morton has been fired, but no other coaching changes have been announced at this point. The offense came up short of its goals but this disappointing season obviously wasn’t all on Morton. Injuries, again, played a big role in getting them to play consistently good football.

“It’s a lot of things. We’re going to have to take a long, hard look,’’ Holmes said. “Before I look at anything I’ll look at myself.’’