DETROIT -- The Detroit Lions' 2024 schedule was released along with the rest of the NFL slate on Wednesday.
The Lions will be back in the spotlight as they're on the hunt to try and claim their Super Bowl championship.
After winning their first division title since 1993, Detroit is no longer catching the league by surprise. However, the Lions are back after a busy offseason where they reshaped the defense and reached multiyear contract extensions with foundational offensive pieces WR Amon-Ra St. Brown, OT Penei Sewell and QB Jared Goff.
The Lions will be tested right away in Week 1 against the Los Angeles Rams, a rematch of their 2023 wild-card playoff victory on Sunday Night Football.
Detroit will head to Dallas in Week 6, travel to Lambeau Field for Week 9 against division rival Green Bay on Nov. 3 and go up against the 49ers in a rematch of the NFC Championship Game in Week 17.
Here's what's in store for the Lions:
Lions 2024 regular-season schedule
Week 1: Sept. 8 vs. Los Angeles Rams (SNF)
Week 2: Sept. 15 vs. Tampa Bay
Week 3: Sept. 22 at Arizona
Week 4: Sept. 30 vs. Seattle (MNF)
Week 5: Bye
Week 6: Oct. 13 at Dallas
Week 7: Oct. 20:at Minnesota
Week 8: Oct. 27 vs. Tennessee
Week 9: Nov. 3 at Green Bay
Week 10: Nov. 10 at Houston (SNF)
Week 11: Nov. 17 vs. Jacksonville
Week 12: Nov. 24 at Indianapolis
Week 13: Nov. 28 vs. Chicago
Week 14: Dec. 5 vs. Green Bay (TNF)
Week 15: Dec. 15 vs. Buffalo
Week 16: Dec. 22 at Chicago
Week 17: Dec. 30: at San Francisco (MNF)
Week 18: TBD vs. Minnesota*
*Date for Week 18 is to be determined
Strength of schedule: .509 (11th-toughest)
Over/under: 10.5
Biggest takeaway
When the NFL schedule was announced in 2023, the Lions were originally scheduled for four prime-time games, which was a huge deal. Now, following up on that record-setting season, Detroit is set for five in 2024, in addition to their annual Thanksgiving Day game versus the Bears on Nov. 28.
Including the playoffs, the Lions were 5-1 in prime-time games this past season (4-1 regular season). In three seasons under coach Dan Campbell, Detroit is 6-2 in prime-time games (5-2 regular season).
Revenge game
Sure, the Lions won 12 games in 2023 -- which tied for the most wins in a single regular season in franchise history, originally set in 1991. But the pain of falling one game shy of reaching their first Super Bowl, after blowing a 17-point halftime lead in the NFC Championship Game to the 49ers, still stings.
Sewell says he has watched the game at least 10 times and is using it as fuel for the upcoming season.
"Honestly, I watch that game a lot," Sewell said during a news conference for his contract extension on April 29. "I let it burn, just because of how close we were, but I watch it a lot, not only from that standpoint, but just trying to get better and seeing what went wrong and what we could work on. So, yeah, I say this all the time, it's on. It's simple as that."
The Lions will have a shot at redemption versus San Francisco during a Monday Night Football showdown on the road on ESPN/ABC before the end of the regular season, where they hope to be gearing up for another playoff run.
Bold prediction
Detroit will win the NFC for the first time in franchise history. After experiencing a heartbreaking loss to the 49ers on that same stage last season, the Lions return with the right mentality and have added the right pieces to punch their first Super Bowl ticket.