The 2024 NFL season was a historic campaign for the Detroit Lions.
That team set a franchise record for regular season wins (15) and points scored (564). For the first time in 70 years, the Lions led the league in scoring and won consecutive division titles.
That incredible season came to an early end in the playoffs as Detroit fell in the NFC Divisional Round 45-31 to the Washington Commanders. That’s preceded an offseason of major change, most notably at the coordinator positions. Offensive coordinator Ben Johnson left to take the head coach job with NFC North foe Chicago, and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn is now the head coach of the New York Jets.
Detroit hired former senior offensive assistant John Morton from the Denver Broncos‘ staff to replace Johnson and promoted linebackers coach Kelvin Sheppard to replace Glenn. The team still retained much of its top talent and used free agency and the draft to fill in gaps and build up depth.
That depth and young talent will be on display starting in the preseason. Since 2021, teams across the league have played three preseason games with two exceptions every year.
This time, Detroit is one of those exceptions and will play a fourth preseason game. Here’s why.
Why do the Lions have an extra preseason game?
The Lions have an extra preseason game thanks to the 2025 Pro Football Hall of Fame class. Detroit was selected to play against the Los Angeles Chargers in the Hall of Fame Game in Canton, Ohio.
This is the first time Detroit is playing in the Hall of Fame Game since 1991.
This also marks the first time since 2017 that a team in the Hall of Fame Game does not have a former player being inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Detroit was chosen on its status as a contender for the Super Bowl this season.
“This game features two teams that can be considered legitimate contenders to reach Super Bowl LX next February,” Jim Porter, president & CEO of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, said in a statement in April. “For them to face each other right out of the gate in Canton, Ohio, should create a dynamic opening to another spectacular NFL season.”
Lions preseason schedule
Detroit will play four preseason games this year compared to three for most NFL teams. Here’s the schedule:
- Thursday, July 31: vs. Los Angeles Chargers (Hall of Fame Game), 8 p.m. ET
- Friday, Aug. 8: at Atlanta Falcons, 7 p.m. ET
- Saturday, Aug. 16: vs. Miami Dolphins, 1 p.m. ET
- Saturday, Aug. 23: vs. Houston Texans, 1 p.m. ET
Lions regular season schedule
Following a 15-2 NFC North-winning campaign in 2024, Detroit will face another challenging schedule in 2025. They’ll face division opponents twice, AFC North and NFC East teams once, and division winners from the AFC West (Kansas City), NFC South (Tampa Bay) and NFC West (Los Angeles Rams).
- Week 1, Sept. 7: at Green Bay Packers, 4:25 p.m., CBS
- Week 2, Sept. 14: vs Chicago Bears, 1 p.m., Fox
- Week 3, Sept. 22: at Baltimore Ravens, 8:15 p.m., ABC/ESPN (“Monday Night Football”)
- Week 4, Sept. 28: vs Cleveland Browns, 1 p.m., Fox
- Week 5, Oct. 5: at Cincinnati Bengals, 4:25 p.m., Fox
- Week 6, Oct. 12: at Kansas City Chiefs, 8:20 p.m., NBC
- Week 7, Oct. 20: vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 7 p.m., ESPN/ABC (“Monday Night Football”)
- Week 8: BYE
- Week 9, Nov. 2: vs Minnesota Vikings, 1 p.m., Fox
- Week 10, Nov. 9: at Washington Commanders, 4:25 p.m., Fox
- Week 11, Nov. 16: at Philadelphia Eagles, 8:20 p.m., NBC (“Sunday Night Football”)
- Week 12, Nov. 23: vs New York Giants, 1 p.m., Fox
- Week 13, Nov. 27: vs Green Bay Packers, 1 p.m., Fox (Thanksgiving)
- Week 14, Dec. 4: vs Dallas Cowboys, 8:15 p.m., Prime Video (“Thursday Night Football”)
- Week 15, Dec. 14: at Los Angeles Rams, 4:25 p.m., Fox
- Week 16, Dec. 21: vs Pittsburgh Steelers, 4:25 p.m., CBS
- Week 17, Dec. 25: at Minnesota Vikings, 4:30 p.m., Netflix (Christmas Day)
- Week 18, Jan 3-4: at Chicago Bears, TBD
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NFL Hall of Fame Game: Why Lions have unique preseason schedule
