So, you’re looking for the score of the lions game today, right? I’ll give it to you straight: there isn't one. If you’re a die-hard Detroit fan, you already know the sting. The Lions aren’t playing today, January 17, 2026, because their season officially hit the brakes a couple of weeks ago.
While teams like the Buffalo Bills, Denver Broncos, and San Francisco 49ers are duking it out in the Divisional Round this weekend, Ford Field is quiet. It sucks. Honestly, after the highs of the last few years, finishing the 2025 season with a 9-8 record and missing the postseason feels like a bit of a gut punch. They didn't just miss it; they got swept by the Vikings, which basically cemented their fourth-place spot in the NFC North.
The Reality of the Score of the Lions Game Today
When people search for the score of the lions game today, they’re usually hoping for a playoff miracle or maybe they’re just checking in out of habit. But the reality is that the 2026 playoff bracket is moving on without Detroit.
Today’s NFL schedule features two massive matchups:
- Buffalo Bills vs. Denver Broncos (at Mile High)
- San Francisco 49ers vs. Seattle Seahawks (an NFC West bloodbath)
The Lions? They're in "evaluation mode." General Manager Brad Holmes and Head Committee are likely deep into film, looking at why a team with this much talent couldn't close the deal in December. Missing the playoffs after being the "it" team of the NFL is a tough pill to swallow for the city.
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What Happened to the 2025 Detroit Lions?
It’s kinda wild when you think about it. Jahmyr Gibbs was absolutely lighting it up this year. Remember that Monday Night game against Tampa Bay back in October? He put up 218 yards of offense. The defense, despite being banged up, was holding its own for a while.
But then the injuries started piling up. Losing guys in the secondary—like Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph for stretches—really exposed the depth. You can't win in this league if you're playing "the legion of whom" in the backfield against elite quarterbacks.
Looking Ahead: The 2026 Schedule and Opponents
Since there's no score of the lions game today, the focus has already shifted to the 2026 calendar. Because the Lions finished fourth in the North, their schedule for next year is actually locked in.
It's not all doom and gloom. Finishing last in the division actually gives them a "last-place schedule," which might be the break they need to bounce back. Here is who they are slated to face next season:
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At Home (Ford Field):
- Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings
- New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- New England Patriots, New York Jets
- Tennessee Titans, New York Giants
On the Road:
- Chicago, Green Bay, Minnesota (the usual suspects)
- Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers
- Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins
- Arizona Cardinals
The AFC East and NFC South matchups mean some travel, but those home games against the Jets and Titans look like prime opportunities to get back to winning ways.
The Draft is the New Playoffs
For Detroit fans, late April is basically our Super Bowl right now. With the season over, the front office is looking at the 2026 NFL Draft. Amon-Ra St. Brown has already gone on record saying he’s using the sting of missing the playoffs as motivation. You love to hear that from your leaders.
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Penei Sewell also mentioned that the offensive line needs to "regain their swagger." When the big guys upfront feel like they lost their edge, that's usually priority number one in the offseason.
Other "Lions" in Action Today
If you absolutely need to see a team called the Lions play today, you’ve actually got a few options in the college and minor league ranks.
- North Alabama Lions (NCAA Basketball): They just had a rough outing today, losing 90-68 to Jacksonville. Kevin de Kovachich put up 17, but it wasn't enough to stop a 10-0 run that basically buried them.
- Lindenwood Lions (Hockey): If you're into ice hockey, the Lindenwood men's team is playing Stonehill College tonight at 7:10 p.m. They dominated them 6-2 yesterday, so that's a bright spot.
- Trois-Rivières Lions (ECHL): The ECHL Lions faced off against the Adirondack Thunder earlier today at 3 p.m.
But for the NFL's Detroit Lions? The scoreboard is blank.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans
Since there's no score of the lions game today, here is how you can stay plugged in during the offseason:
- Track the Draft Order: Keep an eye on the remaining playoff games. As teams get eliminated, the final draft order for the mid-to-late first round begins to solidify.
- Watch the Senior Bowl: This is where Brad Holmes usually finds those "grit" players he loves. It’s coming up soon in Mobile, Alabama.
- Update Your Calendar: The full 2026 NFL schedule with specific dates and times won't drop until May, but we already know the opponents. Start planning those road trips to Miami or Atlanta now.
The 2025 season might be in the books, but in Detroit, the work for 2026 started the second that Week 18 clock hit zero.