By Michael Stets
The Detroit Lions 2018 schedule was released on Thursday evening, featuring two primetime games, including the season opener at Ford Field against the New York Jets on Monday Night Football.
After a Week 2 road matchup against the San Francisco 49ers, the Lions will return home to play the New England Patriots in their second primetime game in the first three weeks, this time on Sunday Night Football, marking new head coach Matt Patricia’s first game against his former team.
The first divisional showdown takes place in Week 5 when the Green Bay Packers come to Detroit, which is a change from the last two seasons where the Lions hosted Green Bay in Week 17 both years. The BYE comes in Week 6 (October 14), and when the Lions return to action in Week 7 they will take on the Dolphins in Miami.
In the annual Thanksgiving Day matchup taking place in Week 12, the Lions will face the Chicago Bears, which will be the second of a three-game homestand. The last time the Lions faced Chicago on Thanksgiving was back in 2014 with Detroit winning 34-17.
The Lions close out the 2018 calendar at home against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 16, and for the first time since a 30-20 loss to close out the 2014 regular season, the Lions will head to Lambeau Field to take on the Packers in Week 17.
The entire schedule can be viewed below:
Week 1: Monday, September 10 New York Jets (ESPN) 7:10 p.m
Week 2: Sunday, September 16 at San Francisco 49ers (FOX) 4:05 p.m
Week 3: Sunday, September 23 New England Patriots (NBC) 8:20 p.m
Week 4: Sunday, September 30 at Dallas Cowboys (FOX) 1:00 p.m
Week 5: Sunday, October 7 Green Bay Packers (FOX) 1:00 p.m
Week 6: Sunday, October 14 BYE WEEK
Week 7: Sunday, October 21 at Miami Dolphins (FOX) 1:00 p.m
Week 8: Sunday, October 28 Seattle Seahawks (FOX) 1:00 p.m
Week 9: Sunday, November 4 at Minnesota Vikings (FOX) 1:00 p.m
Week 10: Sunday, November 11 at Chicago Bears (FOX) 1:00 p.m
Week 11: Sunday, November 18 Carolina Panthers FOX 1:00 p.m
Week 12: Thursday, November 22 Chicago Bears (CBS) 12:30 p.m
Week 13: Sunday, December 2 Los Angeles (FOX) 1:00 p.m
Week 14: Sunday, December 9 at Arizona Cardinals (FOX) 4:25 p.m
Week 15: Sunday, December 16 at Buffalo Bills (FOX) 1:00 p.m
Week 16: Sunday, December 23 Minnesota Vikings (FOX) 1:00 p.m
Week 17: Sunday, December 30 at Green Bay Packers (FOX) 1:00 p.m
