If you’re waking up on this chilly Saturday, January 17, 2026, and wondering what time the detroit lions play today, I’ve got some news that might sting a little. You can put the Honolulu Blue jersey back in the closet for now.
The Detroit Lions are not playing today.
While the NFL Divisional Round is officially kicking off this afternoon, the Lions aren’t on the bracket. It’s a tough pill to swallow, especially given the high expectations that have followed Dan Campbell’s squad lately. Today’s schedule features the Buffalo Bills taking on the Denver Broncos at 4:30 p.m. ET, followed by a late-night NFC West battle between the San Francisco 49ers and the Seattle Seahawks at 8:00 p.m. ET.
Honesty is the best policy here: Detroit’s 2025-2026 campaign hit a wall. Despite a gritty 19-16 win over the Chicago Bears to close out the regular season on January 4, the Lions finished with a 9-8 record. In a hyper-competitive NFC North, that just wasn't enough to punch a ticket to the postseason.
What Time the Detroit Lions Play Today and Why the Season Ended Early
The search for what time the detroit lions play today usually spikes this time of year because fans are used to seeing Detroit in the mix. But this season, the math didn't favor the Pride. The Lions ended up at the bottom of the NFC North standings, tied with the Minnesota Vikings at 9-8, while the Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers managed to slide into the playoff picture.
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It’s weird to think about, right? A winning record usually gets you a seat at the table. Not this year. The NFC was top-heavy, and those mid-season losses to teams like the Steelers and the Vikings (twice) really came back to haunt them.
A Quick Look at the Lions' Final Stretch
- Dec 14: A heartbreaking 41-34 loss to the Rams.
- Dec 21: A narrow 29-24 defeat against Pittsburgh.
- Dec 25: A Christmas Day letdown in Minnesota (23-10).
- Jan 4: The season-ending 19-16 victory at Soldier Field.
That final win over Chicago felt great in the moment—there’s nothing quite like beating a division rival—but by then, the playoff scenarios had already evaporated. If you're looking for football today, you'll have to settle for the Broncos-Bills or the 49ers-Seahawks. Both games promise plenty of drama, but neither will feature Amon-Ra St. Brown or Penei Sewell.
Who is Playing Instead of the Lions?
Since you've realized the Lions are off, you might still want to catch some playoff action. The NFL has scheduled two massive games for today, January 17.
Buffalo Bills at Denver Broncos
This one starts at 4:30 p.m. ET on CBS. Denver, the AFC’s top seed with a 14-3 record, is coming off a bye and looks like a juggernaut. Buffalo had to scrap through a Wild Card win against Jacksonville just to get here. It’s a classic "rest vs. rust" scenario.
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San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks
This is the nightcap at 8:00 p.m. ET on FOX. It’s an all-NFC West showdown. Seattle took the top seed in the NFC, which is why they’re hosting this at Lumen Field. The 49ers are coming off a tough win against the Eagles and are looking to play spoiler in one of the loudest stadiums in the world.
Looking Ahead: The 2026 Detroit Lions Schedule
Just because there isn't a game today doesn't mean the work has stopped in Allen Park. The 2026 opponents are already set. Because Detroit finished fourth in the NFC North, they’ll actually have a "fourth-place schedule" next year, which could be a massive advantage for a bounce-back season.
Basically, the Lions will face the last-place teams from the AFC South (Tennessee Titans), the NFC East (New York Giants), and the NFC West (Arizona Cardinals).
2026 Home Opponents
You can expect to see these teams at Ford Field next fall:
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- Chicago Bears
- Green Bay Packers
- Minnesota Vikings
- New Orleans Saints
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- New England Patriots
- New York Jets
- Tennessee Titans
- New York Giants
2026 Road Opponents
Pack your bags, because the Lions are headed to:
- Chicago, Green Bay, and Minnesota (as always)
- Atlanta Falcons
- Buffalo Bills
- Carolina Panthers
- Miami Dolphins
- Arizona Cardinals
Why the Lions' Offseason Starts Now
Instead of worrying about what time the detroit lions play today, the front office is likely buried in scouting reports for the 2026 NFL Draft. The 9-8 finish puts them somewhere in the middle of the pack for draft positioning—usually around pick 15 to 18 depending on tiebreakers.
The defense was the glaring issue this year. While the offense remained explosive, they struggled to get off the field in the fourth quarter against high-powered offenses like the Rams. Expect Brad Holmes to be aggressive in free agency and the draft to bolster the secondary and find more interior pass-rush help.
Honestly, the Lions are in a weird spot. They aren't "bad" by any stretch of the imagination. They’re just in a division that turned into a buzzsaw. Most experts agree that the foundation is still there, but the margin for error in the NFL is just razor-thin.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans
- Watch the Divisional Games: Use today to scout potential future opponents. The 49ers and Seahawks are the standard-bearers in the NFC right now; seeing how they handle the pressure can give you a better idea of what Detroit needs to do to close the gap.
- Track the Draft Order: Keep an eye on the remaining playoff games. As teams are eliminated, the 2026 NFL Draft order becomes finalized.
- Review the 2026 Opponents: Start looking at the 2026 schedule to plan any potential road trips, especially those warm-weather games in Arizona or Miami.
- Check Team Health: Follow the post-season medical updates on guys like Alim McNeill and Alex Anzalone to see who will be ready for organized team activities (OTAs) in the spring.
The wait for Lions football is long, but the rebuild of the culture in Detroit suggests this year was a speed bump rather than a total engine failure. Enjoy the playoffs today, even if the Honolulu Blue is missing from the field.