The Detroit Lions missed the playoffs in 2025 for the first time since 2022 after finishing 9-8. A disappointing result for a team that won back-to-back NFC North titles. The defense allowed 413 points, with only 10 teams in the league allowing more. The good news for fantasy managers: all the skill players are back, the offense never stopped producing, and Jared Goff has cleared 4,500 passing yards in each of the past three seasons — the rest of the NFL has done so just six times combined during that span. Two Detroit Lions will come off the board in the first round of every draft. Here is why.
Dan Campbell’s Bounce-Back Year Starts at Ford Field
Detroit opens the season hosting the New Orleans Saints at Ford Field in Week 1 — Dan Campbell versus his former team is the storyline. Week 2 is Thursday Night Football at the new Highmark Stadium in Buffalo — the first regular-season game at the Bills’ brand-new venue. And in Week 10, the Lions travel to Munich, Germany to play the New England Patriots at FC Bayern Munich Stadium — Detroit’s first game in Germany, and their first time serving as the designated home team internationally.
The Lions play home games at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan.
Jahmyr Gibbs: The 1.01 Debate
Gibbs has finished as fantasy’s RB8, RB2, and RB3 in PPR points per game since 2023. The electric 24-year-old has averaged an absurd 24.4 PPR points per game in 14 career games with David Montgomery playing under a third of the offense’s snaps — and Montgomery has now left for Houston. Multiple top fantasy analysts have Gibbs as the consensus 1.01 pick over Bijan Robinson, citing the Lions’ scoring upside as the tiebreaker.
Fantasy verdict: 1.01 candidate. Take him first overall or pay the price trying to get him in Round 2.
Amon-Ra St. Brown: The Most Consistent WR in Fantasy
St. Brown already has a resume that includes four 1,100-yard seasons and three straight years with double-digit touchdown receptions. He is a one-time First-Team All-Pro and has arguably been the most consistent wide receiver in fantasy over the past four seasons. Goff targets him at an extraordinary rate — in 11 healthy games last season, St. Brown earned at least 28% of Goff’s targets, with one game where he commanded nearly half of all targets running routes in the slot and out wide. Death, taxes, and Amon-Ra going over 100 yards.
Fantasy verdict: WR1 who goes off the board in the first round of every format. If he somehow falls to you in Round 2, take him immediately.
Jared Goff: The QB Nobody Talks About Enough
Jared Goff has cleared 4,500 passing yards in each of the past three seasons. A feat of sustained volume so rare that the rest of the NFL has done it just six times combined over that same span. He has shown incredible durability since sitting out three games with oblique and knee issues back in 2021. At 31 years old, Goff remains squarely in his prime. New offensive coordinator Drew Petzing replaces John Morton following Detroit’s 2025 playoff miss, but he inherits the exact same elite skill personnel. Goff remains a highly reliable, safe late-round QB1 who has outperformed his draft-day price tag every single year he has been in Detroit.
Jameson Williams and Sam LaPorta
Jameson Williams saw a massive surge in production when Dan Campbell took over play-calling duties in Week 10 of last season. Williams capitalized heavily on the change, finishing his 2025 breakout campaign with 65 receptions, 1,117 yards, and 7 touchdowns. While he remains a genuine deep threat capable of massive boom weeks, he has cemented himself as a high-upside, everyday WR3/WR2 option in standard 12-team leagues. Meanwhile, elite tight end Sam LaPorta missed the final eight games of last season due to a severe herniated disc. However, he is fully healthy and a “full go” for 2026 training camp. LaPorta remains a premium, top-tier TE1 candidate who warrants an early-to-mid-round selection in all fantasy formats rather than a late-round flyer.
2026 Detroit Lions Schedule
| Week | Opponent | Location | Day/Time | Network |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Orleans Saints | Home | Sun 1:00 PM | FOX |
| 2 | Buffalo Bills | Away | Thu 8:15 PM | Prime |
| 3 | New York Jets | Home | Sun 1:00 PM | FOX |
| 4 | Carolina Panthers | Away | Sun 8:20 PM | NBC |
| 5 | Arizona Cardinals | Away | Sun 4:25 PM | FOX |
| 6 | BYE WEEK | — | — | — |
| 7 | Green Bay Packers | Home | Sun 4:25 PM | FOX |
| 8 | Minnesota Vikings | Home | Sun 1:00 PM | FOX |
| 9 | Miami Dolphins | Away | Sun 1:00 PM | FOX |
| 10 | New England Patriots | Munich, Germany | 9:30 AM ET | FOX |
| 11 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Home | Sun 1:00 PM | CBS |
| 12 | Chicago Bears | Home | Thu 🦃 Thanksgiving | CBS |
| 13 | Atlanta Falcons | Away | Sun 1:00 PM | CBS |
| 14 | Tennessee Titans | Home | Sun 1:00 PM | — |
| 15 | Minnesota Vikings | Away | Sun 8:20 PM | NBC |
| 16 | New York Giants | Home | Mon 8:15 PM | ESPN |
| 17 | Chicago Bears | Away | Sun 4:25 PM | FOX |
| 18 | Green Bay Packers | Away | Sun TBD | — |
2026 Detroit Lions Schedule
Detroit has four primetime games and Thanksgiving in a schedule that also includes a Germany trip and a brutal four-game road gauntlet to close the season. The bye falls in Week 6 — early enough to be a mild inconvenience, but the international game is all the way in Week 10 with no additional bye after it. Detroit closes with all three divisional road games in the final four weeks — at Vikings (Week 15), at Bears (Week 17), and at Packers (Week 18) These road matchups are broken up only by a Week 16 home game against the Giants.
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FAQ
Is Jahmyr Gibbs the first overall pick in fantasy football in 2026?
Multiple top fantasy analysts have Gibbs as their 1.01 pick, citing his PPR scoring average and the Lions’ offensive upside. The debate is between Gibbs, Bijan Robinson, and Ja’Marr Chase — all legitimate answers depending on your league format.
Is Amon-Ra St. Brown a first-round fantasy pick?
Yes. St. Brown has four 1,100-yard seasons, three straight years of double-digit touchdowns, and the most consistent target share of any wide receiver in fantasy football over the past four seasons.
Does Detroit have a Thanksgiving game in 2026?
Yes — the Lions host the Chicago Bears on Thanksgiving Day at Ford Field, continuing their annual tradition.
Does Detroit play internationally in 2026?
Yes — Week 10 in Munich, Germany against the New England Patriots at FC Bayern Munich Stadium on November 15 at 9:30 AM ET.
What is the Detroit Lions’ bye week in 2026?
Week 6 — an early window that leaves 12 straight games to close the season.
What stadium do the Lions play in?
Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan.
How long has Commish Kit been making fantasy football draft boards?
Since 2002 — Commish Kit started in Daly City, California, and moved to Austin, Texas in 2012, making 2026 its 24th season in business.
