The preseason has concluded and the next order of business for GM Brad Holmes and head coach Dan Campbell is trimming the roster down to an initial 53 players by 4 p.m. Tuesday and then beginning to create their 16-man practice squad on Wednesday.
After that, they'll get to work on the Green Bay Packers and the rest of the early slate of opponents on the regular season schedule.
Following is a look at the Lions' first four games of the 2025 NFL season:
Week 1 at Green Bay Packers, Sept. 7, 4:25 p.m.
A Week 1 NFC North showdown featuring two division rivals and two playoff teams from last year.
Players to watch:
Edge Aidan Hutchinson, Detroit: Hutchinson looked terrific in training camp, and he said last week he thinks he's an even better player now than before he got hurt Week 6 in Dallas when he was on a defensive MVP pace. Detroit's defense is completely different when No. 97 is on the edge getting after the quarterback.
Quarterback Jordan Love, Green Bay: The Packers didn't see nearly as much of Love as they probably wanted this summer after he injured his thumb in the first preseason game and wound up having surgery on his non-throwing hand. He's expected to be back in the lineup Week 1 against the Lions, but will there be any rust?
Key stat: Green Bay ranked No. 2 in the NFL last season with just 22 sacks allowed. Only Buffalo allowed fewer with 14.
Week 2 vs. Chicago Bears, Sept. 14, 1:00 p.m.
It's back-to-back division opponents to start the season for the Lions. This week's matchup will be the first time the Lions face their former offensive coordinator and current Bears head coach Ben Johnson.
Players to watch:
Wide receiver Jameson Williams, Detroit: The fourth-year wide receiver had a great camp and is a top candidate for a breakout season for the Lions in offensive coordinator John Morton's offense. The best game Williams had last season was against the Bears when he caught five passes for 143 yards and a touchdown Week 16 in Chicago.
Defensive tackle Gervon Dexter Sr., Chicago: The interior of Detroit's offensive line gets a good test Week 1 against Kenny Clark and the Packers but it doesn't get any easier this week against Dexter, who recorded 51 tackles, 5.0 sacks, 23 pressures, and 19 quarterback hits from the interior of Chicago's defensive line last season.
Key stat: The Bears allowed the fourth most completions of 20-plus yards last season with 57.
Week 3 at Baltimore Ravens, Sept. 22, 8:15 p.m.
Detroit gets their first taste of primetime football with a Monday Night Football matchup against one of the AFC's top teams.
Players to watch:
Running back Jahmyr Gibbs, Detroit: Gibbs has ascended to elite status among NFL running backs and is expected to play a big role in the run and passing games for the Lions. Gibbs will look to top the 20 touchdowns he had for the Lions in 2024.
Quarterback Lamar Jackson, Baltimore: The last time the Lions played the Ravens in Baltimore, Jackson completed 21-of-27 passes for 357 yards and three touchdowns with a 155.8 passer rating. He also added a rushing touchdown. What will new Lions defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard have cooked up to try and limit the three-time NFL MVP?
Key stat: Baltimore's defense ranked No. 1 in the NFL against the run last season. The Ravens' defense allowed on average just 80.1 rushing yards per contest. The Lions had the sixth most rushing yards (2,488) and second most rushing touchdowns (29) in the league last season.
Week 4 vs. Cleveland Browns, Sept. 28, 1:00 p.m.
The Lions face an AFC North opponent for the second straight week as they try to finish the first quarter of the season on a high note.
Players to watch:
Safety Brian Branch, Detroit: Branch is widely considered one of the most talented and versatile defensive players in the NFL. He was a big-time playmaker for the Lions last season with 109 tackles (79 solo), 16 passes defended, eight tackles for loss, six quarterback hits, four interceptions, a sack and a forced fumble. He's expected to have a monster third season in Detroit.
Edge Myles Garrett, Cleveland: The All-Pro pass rusher for the Browns has recorded double-digit sacks in seven straight seasons after totaling 14.0 sacks and 83 total pressures last year. Lions tackles Penei Sewell and Taylor Decker will have to be on their A-game to make sure Garrett isn't a game-wrecker for the Browns.
Key stat: Cleveland quarterbacks combined for a league-worst 71.4 passer rating last season throwing just 19 total touchdowns with 23 interceptions. Cleveland has named 18-year veteran Joe Flacco their starting quarterback to begin the season. Flacco has a career 84.4 passer rating.
