Lions’ Late-Season Slide Could Set Up a Softer 2026 Schedule - If There’s a Silver Lining, This Is It
It’s been a rough stretch for the Detroit Lions. A team that once looked poised to build on last year’s momentum has now hit a wall - hard. They’ve been officially eliminated from playoff contention, they’re riding a three-game losing streak, and frankly, they’re playing some of the most uninspired football we’ve seen in the Dan Campbell era.
This isn’t just a slump. It’s a full-on regression, and it’s left fans wondering how a team that once looked like a rising power in the NFC North has ended up back at the bottom of the division.
But if you’re looking for a silver lining in all this - and let’s be honest, Lions fans have had plenty of practice finding those over the years - there’s one worth noting: the benefits of a last-place finish.
Yes, the Lions are currently in the NFC North basement. That’s a far cry from the expectations heading into the season, but it also means they’re on track to face a “fourth-place schedule” in 2026. And in the NFL, that can make a real difference.
Here’s how it works: Each team’s schedule includes three games against teams from other divisions that finished in the same spot in their division standings. So if you finish first, you get three other first-place teams.
Finish fourth, and you play three other fourth-place teams. It’s one of the league’s built-in mechanisms for parity - and in Detroit’s case, it could be a blessing in disguise.
Let’s break it down by the numbers.
The Lions are set to face teams from the NFC East, AFC South, and NFC West as part of those “place-based” matchups. And right now, the difference between third and fourth in each of those divisions is pretty stark.
NFC West: The top of this division is a gauntlet. The Seahawks, 49ers, and Rams are all legitimate contenders, sitting at 12-3, 11-4, and 11-4 respectively.
But the fourth-place Cardinals? They’re 3-12 and still in the running for the No. 1 overall pick.
If you’re Detroit, you’d much rather see Arizona on the schedule than another heavyweight from the West.
AFC South: The Colts and Titans are the third- and fourth-place teams here, but the gap is wide. Indianapolis is 8-7 and showed real flashes this season before injuries derailed them.
The Titans, meanwhile, are 3-12 and in full rebuild mode. That’s a matchup that tilts in Detroit’s favor if it ends up on the docket.
NFC East: This one’s a little closer, with the Commanders (4-12) and Giants (2-13) bringing up the rear. But the Giants are heading into an offseason of major upheaval, with Brian Daboll already out and a full reset on the way. That’s the kind of opponent you’d rather face early in a new regime’s tenure - before they have time to find their footing.
So what does this all mean for Detroit?
If the Lions lose to the Bears in Week 18 - and based on recent form, that’s not a stretch - they’ll lock in that last-place finish. That would likely set them up for matchups against the Cardinals, Titans, and Giants next season. And while nothing is guaranteed in the NFL, those games look a lot more winnable than, say, dates with the Rams, Colts, and Commanders.
And that’s not the only scheduling break coming their way.
Detroit will also face the entire AFC East and NFC South in 2026. That means games against the Patriots, Bills, Jets, and Dolphins from the AFC, and the Buccaneers, Panthers, Saints, and Falcons from the NFC. Some tough teams in there, no doubt - but also some question marks and rebuilding squads.
Bottom line: this year didn’t go the way anyone in Detroit hoped. The Lions took a step back, and there’s no sugarcoating that.
But if there’s a silver lining in the standings, it’s the chance to regroup with a more favorable schedule next season. And sometimes, that’s all a team needs to get back on track.
The work starts now - but the road ahead might just get a little smoother.