The Detroit Lions will face the ultimate test to close off the 2026 season.
Dan Campbell’s club will face all three NFC North opponents on the road in the final four weeks of the season: the Vikings (Week 15), the Bears (Week 17), and the Packers (Week 18). Plus, it will face John Harbaugh and the N. Y. Giants on Monday Night Football in week 16.
Since the start of the 2022 season, the Lions have had a good deal of success against their divisional rivals, going 17-7.
Campbell & Co. , on the other hand, took a setback in 2025, finishing 2-4 in the division and 9-8 overall. They were swept by both Green Bay and Minnesota, but managed to win both contests against Chicago in Ben Johnson’s first season as Bears head coach.
To add insult to injury, the Lions were knocked out of playoff contention last season when they lost to Minnesota, led by undrafted rookie quarterback Max Brosmer, on Christmas Day.
Detroit put on a terrible performance, with Jared Goff and company committing six turnovers—yes, six turnovers for the first time since 2015—and averaging only 3. 61 yards per play. It was the Lions’ sixth-worst offensive efficiency in a game since 2010 (and their worst overall performance in a game since 2020).
Overall, the Lions had a terrible 2025 season, failing to qualify for the playoffs after winning back-to-back division championships in 2023 and 2024.
Fast forward to 2026, and Detroit is unlikely to have any easier time against its divisional opponents.
The Bears, who won the NFC North last year with an 11-5 record, and the Packers, who advanced to the playoffs for a third consecutive season, should be just as excellent in 2025. Meanwhile, the Vikings, who obtained quarterback Kyler Murray in the offseason, are anticipated to advance and contend for a postseason berth this season.
All three clubs may realistically sweep their season series against the Lions.
However, if Campbell & Co. want to reach the playoffs in 2026, they cannot allow that to happen. They must regain their winning ways in the division, with a 4-2 record against divisional opponents being ideal.
It undoubtedly lends intrigue and significance to the grueling four-game stretch that Detroit will face to conclude the season.
And there’s a realistic chance. It will be the most crucial four weeks of the whole ’26 season, deciding if Campbell’s team qualifies for the playoffs.
