2023 NFL schedule leaks, rumors: Tracking Detroit Lions games, dates

The Detroit Lions 2023 schedule will be released by 8 p.m. ET on Thursday, but throughout the day, there are expected to be several leaks. The NFL has already been revealing some of the 2023 games, and more are expected throughout the day prior to the official announcement at the end of the night.

We already know the 17 opponents the Lions will be facing this year. That is decided at the end of the last regular season, as determined by how each team finishes. This year, the Lions will have their normal six divisional games, they’ll play every team in the NFC South, and every team in the AFC West. Additionally, they have a bonus away game against an AFC opponent (Ravens) thanks to the recent move to a 17-game schedule.

As a reminder, here are the home and away opponents for the 2022 season.

Home opponents: Bears, Packers, Vikings, Falcons, Panthers, Broncos, Raiders, Seahawks
Away opponents: Bears, Packers, Vikings, Chiefs, Chargers, Saints, Buccaneers, Cowboys, Ravens

Below, we’ll be tracking every credible rumor that comes in, and we’ll build the schedule at the bottom of this page as the information is revealed.

NOTE: There will be a lot of false rumors out there, so this list of rumors/reports will only contain trusted sources or news we can independently confirm. We will not be including each and every random rumor that hits Twitter.

Lions schedule rumor trackers

• The Lions will not play in Germany this year, as the NFL announced the Chiefs will host the Dolphins.
• The Lions will kick off the 2023 NFL regular season vs. the Chiefs on Thursday night. (first reported by LionsRoyalty, confirmed by Jordan Schultz)
• Packers beat writer Matt Schneidman revealed the Packers’ entire schedule, which tells us three things: Thursday night in Lambeau Week 4, Thanksgiving vs. Green Bay, Vikings almost certainly the Week 18 opponent (home or away not set yet).
• Per Vikings beat writer Alex Lewis, it “sounds like” Lions vs. Vikings on Christmas Eve, which means the finale must be in Detroit against Minnesota.
• The Lions and NFL dropped the entire schedule at 8 p.m. ET. It is finalized below (nationally-televised games are bolded)

2023 Detroit Lions schedule

Week 1 — at Chiefs — Thursday, September 7 — 8:20 p.m. ET — NBC
Week 2 — vs. Seahawks — Sunday, September 17 — 1 p.m. ET — FOX
Week 3 — vs. Falcons — Sunday, September 24 — 1 p.m. ET — FOX
Week 4 — at Packers — Thursday, September 28 — 8:15 p.m. ET — Prime Video
Week 5 — vs. Panthers — Sunday, October 8 — 1 p.m. ET — FOX
Week 6 — at Buccaneers — Sunday, October 15 — 1 p.m. ET — FOX
Week 7 — at Ravens — Sunday, October 22 — 1 p.m. ET — FOX
Week 8 — vs. Raiders — Monday, October 30 — 8:15 p.m. ET — ESPN
Week 9 — BYE
Week 10 — at Chargers — Sunday, November 12 — 4:05 p.m. ET — CBS
Week 11 — vs. Bears — Sunday, November 19 — 1 p.m. ET — FOX
Week 12 — vs. Packers — Thursday, November 23 — 12:30 p.m. ET — FOX
Week 13 — at Saints — Sunday, December 3 — 1 p.m. ET — FOX
Week 14 — at Bears — Sunday, December 10 — 1 p.m. ET — FOX
Week 15 — vs. Broncos — TBD
Week 16 — at Vikings — Sunday, December 24 — 1 p.m. ET — FOX
Week 17 — at Cowboys — Saturday, December 30 — 8:15 p.m. ET — ESPN/ABC
Week 18 — Vikings — TBD