Detroit Lions' 2024 schedule features 5 primetime matchups, including opener vs. Rams

Allen Park — Two years ago, television networks wanted nothing to do with the Detroit Lions. Now, they can't get enough of them. For the second consecutive year, the team is scheduled to play in primetime five times, including a season-opening matchup against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday Night Football on Sept. 8.

The game against the Rams will be a rematch of last year's Wild-Card matchup, which the Lions hung on to win, 24-23. It marked the franchise's first playoff victory in more than three decades.

The build-up for that contest put a spotlight on the quarterbacks, Matthew Stafford and Jared Goff, who were traded for each other ahead of the 2021 season. It was Stafford's first game back in Detroit since the deal and the hometown fans empathetically threw their support behind the current signal-caller, loudly chanting Goff's name before the game even started. That sparked a craze at sporting events across the state throughout the team's January playoff run to the NFC championship game.

Detroit will actually play three of its first four games at Ford Field, including a second primetime matchup, when they host the Seattle Seahawks on Monday, Sept. 30, which leads directly into the team's early-season, Week 5 bye week.

The Lions also have primetime matchups on the road against the Houston Texans (Sun. Nov. 10), at home against the Green Bay Packers (Thurs., Dec. 5) and an NFC Championship rematch against the 49ers in San Francisco (Mon., Dec. 30).

The last two are part of a difficult closing stretch, which also includes a home game against the Buffalo Bills and a late-December road trip to Chicago before closing out the campaign against the Vikings at home.

In addition to the primetime appearances, the Lions have several games outside the traditional 1 p.m. time slot on Sunday. That includes a nationally featured Week 6 matchup in Dallas that will air on Fox, on Oct. 13, at 4:25 p.m. That game will undoubtedly carry added interest, following the controversial finish between the two teams late last season, when Detroit's go-ahead two-point conversion in the closing minutes was negated by a penalty after the head official announced the wrong offensive lineman as an eligible receiver.

The Lions' Week 9 and Week 15 games against the Packers and Bills will also play for national audiences in the 4:25 p.m. timeslot.

As for the annual Thanksgiving Day game, Detroit will host division-rival Chicago. It will be the 21st time the two teams have met on the holiday, and the first since 2021. Assuming good health, it will be the first look the Lions will get at new Bears quarterback Caleb Williams, the No. 1 pick in this year's draft.

The NFL also announced Detroit's three preseason opponents, with the time and dates for those contests to be announced in the future. The Lions will go on the road to visit the Giants and Chiefs before finishing out the exhibition slate at home against the Steelers.

Lions coach Dan Campbell previously announced the team had plans to conduct joint practices with the Giants.

Detroit Lions 2024 regular-season schedule

▶ Week 1: Sunday, Sept. 8 vs. Los Angeles Rams, 8:20 p.m. (NBC)

▶ Week 2: Sunday, Sept. 15 vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 1 p.m. (Fox)

▶ Week 3: Sunday, Sept. 22 at Arizona Cardinals, 4:25 p.m. (Fox)

▶ Week 4: Monday, Sept. 30 vs. Seattle Seahawks, 8:15 p.m. (ABC)

▶ Week 5: Bye week

▶ Week 6: Sunday, Oct. 13 at Dallas Cowboys, 4:25 p.m. (Fox)

▶ Week 7: Sunday, Oct. 20 at Minnesota Vikings, 1 p.m. (Fox)

▶ Week 8: Sunday, Oct. 27 vs. Tennessee Titans, 1 p.m. (Fox)

▶ Week 9: Sunday, Nov. 3 at Green Bay Packers, 4:25 p.m. (Fox)

▶ Week 10: Sunday, Nov. 10 at Houston Texans, 8:25 p.m. (NBC)

▶ Week 11: Sunday, Nov. 17 vs. Jacksonville Jaguars, 1 p.m. (CBS)

▶ Week 12: Sunday, Nov. 24 at Indianapolis Colts, 1 p.m. (Fox)

▶ Week 13: Thursday, Nov. 28 vs. Chicago Bears, 12:30 p.m. (CBS)

▶ Week 14: Thursday, Dec. 5 vs. Green Bay Packers, 8:15 p.m. (Prime)

▶ Week 15: Sunday, Dec. 15 vs. Buffalo Bills, 4:25 p.m. (CBS)

▶ Week 16: Sunday, Dec. 22 at Chicago Bears, 1 p.m. (Fox)

▶ Week 17: Monday, Dec. 30 at San Francisco 49ers, 8:15 p.m. (ABC)

▶ Week 18: TBD vs. Minnesota Vikings (TBD)

jdrogers@detroitnews.com

@Justin_Rogers