The 6-1 Detroit Lions are one of the toughest teams to prepare for in the NFL. But the difficulties of facing Detroit don't stop when the clock strikes zero Sunday -- they continue into the next week as well.
Through two months of the NFL season, teams are now 0-6 in their next game after playing the Lions.
The curse has even affected the Minnesota Vikings, who entered their game against Detroit with a 5-0 record. The Tennessee Titans, who fell to the Lions 52-14 last week, will look to break the curse Sunday. Here's a rundown of the unfortunate next-game fates of Detroit's opponents.
Victim No. 1: Los Angeles Rams
Result vs. the Lions: 26-20 loss
Next game: 41-10 loss to the Arizona Cardinals
The curse started out strong with a stark dichotomy in the Rams' performances between Weeks 1 and 2. In Week 1, Los Angeles took the Lions to the wire in a thrilling season opener before a one-yard David Montgomery score gave Detroit an overtime victory.
The next week, however, the Rams looked hapless. The Cardinals raced to a 21-0 lead, which later ballooned to 34-3. Arizona amassed just under 500 yards of total offense in the team's first 40-plus-point scoring performance since October 2022.
Victim No. 2: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Result vs. the Lions: 20-16 win
Next game: 26-7 loss to the Denver Broncos
The Buccaneers seemed to be a prime candidate to disprove the curse. They're the only team so far this season to beat the Lions, and boast a solid 4-4 record. Instead, they're further proof of concept.
Baker Mayfield's late touchdown run carried Tampa Bay to victory at Ford Field, but the Buccaneers offense struggled for answers one week later at home against the Broncos, posting only seven points in a 26-7 defeat.
Victim No. 3: Arizona Cardinals
Result vs. the Lions: 20-13 loss
Next game: 42-14 loss to the Washington Commanders
The Rams aren't the only team to suffer a blowout defeat after facing Detroit. The Cardinals dealt with the same fate.
Jayden Daniels thrived for the Commanders in the Cardinals' next game after their Lions matchup. The rookie signal-caller completed 26 of 30 passes for 233 yards and a touchdown, adding 47 yards and a score on the ground to boot.
Victim No. 4: Seattle Seahawks
Result vs. the Lions: 42-29 loss
Next game: 29-20 loss to the New York Giants
The Seahawks entered their test on the road against the Lions with an impressive 3-0 mark. They left Detroit with their first loss in what would be the start of a three-game losing streak.
With their next game coming against the then-one win Giants, the Seahawks seemed to have a prime opportunity to both dispel the notion of a curse and regain some momentum. Instead, the Giants came away with a 29-20 victory in Seattle, and the San Francisco 49ers picked off a divisional win the week after that.
Victim No. 5: Dallas Cowboys
Result vs. the Lions: 47-9 loss
Next game: 30-24 loss to the San Francisco 49ers
A bye week seemed to offer the Cowboys improved odds of avoiding the knock-on effect of facing the Lions. But Dallas found no such luck in the extra week of rest.
Fourteen days after the Cowboys were held without a touchdown against Detroit, the Dallas offense found a spark against the 49ers thanks to a huge performance from star receiver CeeDee Lamb. But Lamb's 13 catches, 146 yards and 2 touchdowns weren't enough as San Francisco staved off a fourth-quarter rally by the Cowboys to secure a win.
Victim No. 6: Minnesota Vikings
Result vs. the Lions: 31-29 loss
Next game: 30-20 loss to the Los Angeles Rams
Much like the Seahawks, the Vikings entered their first matchup of two with their division rivals with an unbeaten record. Also like the Seahawks, the Vikings lost -- and then fell next week as well.
A 44-yard winning field goal by Jake Bates broke the Vikings' hearts in Week 7. In Week 8, Matthew Stafford threw four touchdown passes as the Rams secured a 30-20 victory over Minnesota on "Thursday Night Football."