You're sitting there, jersey on, maybe a beverage in hand, wondering exactly what time does the lions game come on tonight. It's a fair question. Detroit fans are some of the most dedicated in the league, and missing a kickoff feels like a personal betrayal of the Honolulu Blue.
But here is the hard truth for tonight, Sunday, January 18, 2026: There is no Detroit Lions game tonight.
If you're seeing people talking about "the game" today, they’re likely watching the NFL Divisional Round matchups. Specifically, the Houston Texans are taking on the New England Patriots at 3:00 PM ET, and the Los Angeles Rams are visiting the Chicago Bears at 6:30 PM ET.
It hurts to hear, I know. Especially after the hype of the last few years. But if you’re looking for Dan Campbell on your TV screen tonight, you’re going to be staring at a broadcast of other teams fighting for a spot in the NFC Championship.
Why the Lions aren't playing tonight
The 2025-2026 NFL season didn't exactly go the way Detroit hoped. After the high-flying success of previous campaigns, the Lions finished the regular season in fourth place in the NFC North.
In the NFL, if you don't make the dance, you don't get the primetime slot in January. While the Chicago Bears—our divisional rivals—are hosting the Rams at Soldier Field tonight, the Lions' season officially wrapped up back on January 4, 2026, after their Week 18 game against those very same Bears.
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What happened to the playoff run?
Honestly, it was a "death by a thousand cuts" situation. Injuries to the secondary and a few games where the offense just couldn't find its rhythm meant Detroit ended up on the outside looking in.
- Final Standings: Detroit finished 4th in the North.
- Division Rivals: Both the Chicago Bears and the Green Bay Packers managed to clinch playoff berths this year.
- The Schedule Impact: Because of that fourth-place finish, the Lions' opponents for next year are already locked in (more on that in a second).
What time does the lions game come on tonight? (And other misconceptions)
Sometimes the internet is a confusing place. If you searched for what time does the lions game come on tonight and saw a result, it might be due to a few things.
First, there's always the chance you're seeing "evergreen" content from last year. Exactly one year ago—January 18, 2025—the Lions were playing a massive Divisional Round game against the Washington Commanders. That game was a thriller, and sometimes old Google snippets or social media memories pop up and make it look like it's happening right now.
Second, preseason schedules or replays on the NFL Network can sometimes trigger those "Live Now" notifications on your phone. But as far as meaningful, live football goes? The Lions are currently in "offseason mode."
Looking ahead: When can we watch them again?
Since there is no game tonight, the real question becomes: when is the next one?
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We won't see the Lions back on the field for a real game until the 2026 Preseason, which usually kicks off in early August. The official NFL schedule for the 2026-2027 season typically gets released in mid-May. That’s the day every fan circles on their calendar to see if we’re getting those coveted Thanksgiving or Monday Night Football slots.
The 2026 Opponents are already set
Even though we don't know the times yet, we do know who they are playing. Because the Lions finished fourth, their 2026 schedule is actually looking a bit "easier" on paper—if there is such a thing in the NFL.
Home Games at 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
Away Games:
- Chicago Bears
- Green Bay Packers
- Minnesota Vikings
- Atlanta Falcons
- Buffalo Bills
- Carolina Panthers
- Miami Dolphins
- Arizona Cardinals
How to stay occupied tonight instead
If you're still craving football despite the Lions' absence, tonight’s Divisional Round game between the Rams and Bears is the one to watch. It kicks off at 6:30 PM ET on NBC.
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Why should a Lions fan care? Well, Ben Johnson, the man who has been so pivotal to Detroit's offensive explosion, is a name that keeps coming up in coaching circles. Watching how these other NFC North teams perform in the playoffs gives you a direct look at the competition Detroit has to leapfrog next year.
Plus, you can always go back and watch Jahmyr Gibbs' highlight reels from this past season. He was one of the few bright spots in a tough year, and seeing him break ankles never gets old.
Actionable next steps for Lions fans
Since you aren't spending your night watching a game, here is how you can actually prep for the 2026 season right now.
- Check the Draft Order: With a fourth-place finish, the Lions are going to have a significantly better draft pick than they had last year. Start looking at mock drafts for top-tier cornerbacks or edge rushers.
- Monitor the Coaching Carousel: Keep a close eye on whether the Lions can retain their key coordinators. This is the time of year when other teams try to "poach" the talent that built Detroit's recent culture.
- Update Your Calendar: Set an alert for the NFL Draft, which starts on April 23, 2026. That is the next "big event" for the franchise where the roster actually changes.
- Review the Cap Space: Detroit is heading into the 2026 offseason with some interesting financial decisions to make. Websites like OverTheCap can show you exactly how much room they have to sign big-name free agents this March.
The road back to the playoffs starts tonight—even if the Lions are watching from their couches just like we are.