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Lions' 2026 Schedule: Thursday Opener, Munich Game, Monday Night Giants

5/15/2026

37 5 Full Breakdown

Summary

Lions Schedule

The Lions open Thursday Night Football at Buffalo on September 17, 2026, 8:15 p.m.
They play the New England Patriots in Munich on November 15, 2026, at 9:30 a.m., host the New York Giants on Monday Night Football on December 28, 2026, and face Carolina in Sunday Night Football on Oct 4, 2026.
A rumored Week 15 game in Minnesota and a possible Thanksgiving opponent among several teams follow the Packers’ first Thanksgiving Eve appearance.

Summary

Lions Triumph

The Detroit Lions beat the New Orleans Saints 33-28 at the Superdome in the 2023 game.
Quarterback Jared Goff threw for 213 yards and two touchdowns.
Safety Brian Branch intercepted Derek Carr, moving the all-time series to a 14-13-1 edge for New Orleans.
Detroit finished 2025 at 9-8 and missed the playoffs while New Orleans ended 6-11 in Kellen Moore’s first year.

History

Historical Context

Before the NFL’s regular-season debut at Wembley, a USFL contest in 1984 and eight NFL exhibition games (1986-1993) introduced American football to London. On 28 October 2007 the Giants beat the Dolphins before 81,176 fans, prompting Commissioner Roger Goodell in 2009 to envision multiple London games and a possible franchise. The league now schedules further overseas contests, including a 2026 game in Munich.

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Lions Schedule

The Lions open Thursday Night Football at Buffalo on September 17, 2026, 8:15 p.m.
They play the New England Patriots in Munich on November 15, 2026, at 9:30 a.m., host the New York Giants on Monday Night Football on December 28, 2026, and face Carolina in Sunday Night Football on Oct 4, 2026.
A rumored Week 15 game in Minnesota and a possible Thanksgiving opponent among several teams follow the Packers’ first Thanksgiving Eve appearance.

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