The Detroit Lions’ full 2026 schedule won’t be revealed until Thursday evening, but one prime time game is already drawing attention. Details have been leaked about a long-awaited rematch with the Buffalo Bills, and now the excitement is building.
Lions Schedule Preview Offers Opportunity To Avenge 2024 Loss To Buffalo Bills
While the full 2026 NFL schedule won’t be released until Thursday, May 14, 2026, on Monday evening, details about some of the season’s highlights were leaked. One game in particular brings exciting news for Detroit Lions fans, who can look forward to a rematch with the Buffalo Bills. One of the most thrilling, high-scoring games of the 2024 season ended in a heartbreaking loss for Detroit. Now, the Lions have a chance to avenge that loss.
After Offseason Changes, How Lions v. Bill Rematch Looks
Kicking off Thursday Night Football on Week 2, the Bills host the Detroit Lions in the inaugural game at Highmark Stadium on September 17th. This will be the team’s first rematch since the Lions memorably hosted Buffalo on December 15, 2024, when Josh Allen (2025 NFL MVP) and Jared Goff, two of the league’s elite quarterbacks, went head-to-head in a brilliant 48-42 shootout. Allen completed 23 of 34 passes for 362 yards with two touchdowns, while rushing for two more scores. Goff answered with a blistering 494-yard, mistake-free, five-touchdown performance of his own. Unfortunately, a late-game breakdown by the Lions’ injury-depleted defense cost Detroit the victory. While it was only the second loss of the season for Detroit, it was a painful one.
Lions v. Bills Round 2
Now, the Lions have an opportunity to avenge that loss when they visit the Bills in their brand new $1.7 billion luxury stadium. Goff and Allen are back, along with most of the team’s foundational players and core talents. However, following several offseason changes, the two teams will look substantially different than two years ago.
Bills Front Office Making Major Offseason Changes
One of the biggest changes for Buffalo involved the termination of long-term head coach Sean McDermott. Offensive coordinator Joe Brady replaces McDermott as the Bills’ new head coach. Brady and Allen have developed a strong working relationship, and he’s credited with establishing a more diverse passing game that involves multiple receivers. Under Brady’s guidance, Allen has become one of the NFL’s most elusive mobile quarterbacks, topping the league in 2025 with 579 yards on the ground.
Meanwhile, the front office hired former Denver Broncos coach Jim Leonhard as the team’s new defensive coordinator. During his two years in Denver, Leonhard wore several different hats, including assistant head coach, passing game coordinator, and defensive backs coordinator.
Free agent acquisitions, including LB/EDGE Bradley Chubb and safety CJ Gardner-Johnson, strengthen the Buffalo defense. Offseason losses include cornerbacks Taron Johnson and Dane Jackson, along with safety Taylor Rapp. Veteran wide receivers D.J. Moore and Curtis Samuel were brought on to enhance Allen’s passing attack. Former Detroit Lions QB in 2025, Kyle Allen, is now with Buffalo.
Lions Offseason Changes
In addition to hiring Drew Petzing as the new offensive coordinator, the Lions hired former New York Giants’ OC Mike Kafka as the passing game coordinator. Shortly after he announced his retirement, former Lions veteran OL Dan Skipper was hired as an offensive assistant.
But the biggest offseason changes occurred when the Lions lost several foundational veteran players on both sides of the ball. Offensive linemen Taylor Decker and Graham Glasgow were released. Beloved running back David Montgomery was traded to the Houston Texans in exchange for OL Juice Scruggs and a couple of draft picks. Veteran LB Alex Anzalone and EDGE Al-Quadin Muhammad were quickly snapped up through free agency by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Making upgrading the offensive line his top priority, Brad Holmes went on a free agency spree, signing Carolina Panthers center Cade Mays to a three-year $25 million contract ($8.3 million per year). Further stabilizing the offensive line, Holmes signed Larry Borom and Ben Bartch.
Then he made a big move in the draft, selecting Clemson tackle Blake Miller with the Lions first round pick. Miller’s selection is seen as a perfect fit for Detroit and is predicted to be a Week 1 starter. Other big Draft selections included EDGE Derrick Moore, CB Keith Abney II, and special teams utility player Kendrick Law.
What to Expect From the Game
In the heat of a game, Goff and Allen are fierce competitors. But off the football field, the two are friends who play golf together in the offseason. The 2024 game demonstrated that, as competitors, they bring out the best in each other and have nothing but respect and professional admiration for each other’s game. Count on these two to put up another high-scoring battle.
The ground game for both teams will play a big role. James Cook is an elite running back, and look for fireworks from the new one-two punch of Jahmyr Gibbs and Isiah Pacheco. The timing of this game, so early in the season, offers the advantage of mostly healthy, well-rested players. However, it’s unlikely that players still recovering from last season’s injuries, including Brian Branch, will return in time for this game. This victory could come down to whichever defense is the most effective at limiting one of these two elite offenses.
Other Detroit Lions Schedule Hints
In addition to the leak about the Bills game, information about two other upcoming games was revealed. The Lions will play their first international game since 2015, in Munich, Germany, on November 15, 2026. Calling it “a dream come true,” Lions All-Pro wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown is ecstatic to be playing in his mother’s homeland, where he holds dual citizenship. Detroit’s opponent will be the New England Patriots. The action gets underway at 9:30 am EDT and will be televised on FOX.
In addition, the Lions’ annual Thanksgiving game has been scheduled for Thursday, November 26, at 1:00 pm and the game will be televised on CBS.
