The Detroit Lions played the final regular season game of the 2022 NFL season. They will now play the first game of the 2023 season.
The NFL announced the Lions will take on the defending Super Bowl Champs, the Kansas City Chiefs, in the Thursday Night Football NFL season kickoff.
The game will take place Sept. 7 from Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo. It will air on NBC at 8:20 p.m. ET.
After earning just one primetime game last season, the Lions have four primetime games scheduled in the 2023-24 season, with more possible flex options later in the year. That could be a boon for Michigan online sportsbooks, as more marquee games typically equals more bets being placed.
Detroit Lions 2023-24 NFL schedule
Here’s a look at the Detroit Lions official schedule for the 2023-24 season.
| Week | Date | Opponent | Location | Time | Odds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | Sept. 7 (TNF) | Kansas City Chiefs | Kansas City, Mo. | 8:20 p.m. | +6.5 |
| Week 2 | Sept. 17 | Seattle Seahawks | Detroit | 1 p.m. | -2 |
| Week 3 | Sept. 24 | Atlanta Falcons | Detroit | 1 p.m. | -5 |
| Week 4 | Sept. 28 (TNF) | Green Bay Packers | Green Bay, Wis. | 8:15 p.m. | -1.5 |
| Week 5 | Oct. 8 | Carolina Panthers | Detroit | 1 p.m. | -5 |
| Week 6 | Oct. 15 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Tampa, Fla. | 1 p.m. | -3.5 |
| Week 7 | Oct. 22 | Baltimore Ravens | Baltimore, Md. | 1 p.m. | +2 |
| Week 8 | Oct. 30 (MNF) | Las Vegas Raiders | Detroit | 8:15 p.m. | -3.5 |
| Week 9 | Nov. 5 | BYE WEEK | |||
| Week 10 | Nov. 12 | Los Angeles Chargers | Los Angeles, Calif. | 4:05 p.m. | +2.5 |
| Week 11 | Nov. 19 | Chicago Bears | Detroit | 1 p.m. | -5 |
| Week 12 | Nov. 23 | Green Bay Packers | Detroit | 12:30 p.m. | -4 |
| Week 13 | Dec. 3 | New Orleans Saints | New Orleans, La. | 1 p.m. | -1.5 |
| Week 14 | Dec. 10 | Chicago Bears | Chicago, Ill. | 1 p.m. | -1.5 |
| Week 15 | TBD | Denver Broncos | Detroit | TBD | -2 |
| Week 16 | Dec. 24 | Minnesota Vikings | Minneapolis, Minn. | 1 p.m. | +1 |
| Week 17 | Dec. 30 (SNF) | Dallas Cowboys | Arlington, Tx. | 8:15 p.m. | +2.5 |
| Week 18 | TBD | Minnesota Vikings | Detroit | TBD | -2.5 |
Detroit Lions in NFL season opener vs. Chiefs
The NFL season opener is typically reserved for two of the league’s top teams. Most years it also includes the defending Super Bowl champs.
Last year, the Los Angeles Rams played host to the Buffalo Bills.
It’s quite an honor for the Lions, says John Makkaron of All Lions.
“What a difference a year makes. After not being scheduled to play a primetime game in 2022, the Lions find themselves opening the NFL schedule and against the Kansas City Chiefs,” said Maakaron. “Regardless of the outcome, Detroit’s efforts to revamp their image and culture has been rewarded, as the team will be featured in front of a nationwide audience. Detroit will have the eyes of the NFL world on their rebuild and their team to begin the new season.”
Lions to play Thursday games with Packers
Reports indicate the Detroit Lions will take on the Green Bay Packers in a pair of Thursday games.
The first would be a primetime game in Week 4 as part of Amazon’s Thursday Night Football. That game will take place from Lambeau Field.
Detroit will then get to host the Packers as part of their annual Thanksgiving Day game from Ford Field. That will be in Week 12 on Nov. 23.
Lions have four primetime games in 2023-24 NFL Season
Detroit will be featured on national television quite a bit in the season. This year’s schedule features four primetime games.
- Week 1: at Kansas City, Sept. 7
- Week 4: at Green Bay, Sept. 28
- Week 8: vs. Las Vegas, Oct. 30
- Week 17: at Dallas, Dec. 30
This will be the first time the Lions are hosting a Monday Night Football game (Week 8) since the 2018 season. It also marks the first time they have had at least four primetime games since the 2017 NFL season.
Lions favored in 12 of 17 games for 2023-24 season
The Detroit Lions have a lot of buzz for the season, and oddsmakers seem to agree.
Detroit is opening as a favorite in 12 of their 17 games this season.
Despite being a big underdog at Kansas City (+6.5) in the opener, the Lions are only underdogs in these other games:
- Week 7 at Baltimore: +2
- Week 10 at L.A. Chargers: +2.5
- Week 16 at Minnesota: +1
- Week 17 at Dallas: +2.5
Detroit’s over/under for regular season wins is listed at 9.5.
