Detroit Lions 2017 Regular Season Schedule Leaks and Rumors
By Zac Snyder

The NFL will release the 2017 schedule tonight but the rumors and supposed leaks are already flying. Here’s what they say about the Detroit Lions.
The Detroit Lions have had to play three of their first four games on the road in each of the last two seasons. That’s something team president Rod Wood has spoken to the league office about as it played a part in the Lions getting off to poor starts.
[DON’T MISS: Schedule officially released]
A report out of New York has the Lions’ road game at the New York Giants will be a week two meeting in primetime on Monday Night Football. The following was apparently given out over the air by Mike Francesa.
Francesa just announced the #Giants 2017 schedule on air. Here's what it is, if he's correct: pic.twitter.com/XJAEHUAXMj
— Tom Hanslin (@TomHanslin) April 20, 2017
Mike Bell, a radio host in Atlanta, tweeted a Falcons schedule leak, showing the Lions hosting the Atlanta Falcons in week three. That tweet has since been deleted without explanation.
With the Green Bay Packers slated to play the Lions and Dallas Cowboys on the road this season, there is speculation that the Packers’ pattern of playing a Thanksgiving game in odd years will continue. There are no leaks or rumors of that being the case just yet, but don’t be surprised if the Packers will be the Lions Thanksgiving opponent this season.
Bears beat writer Brad Biggs says the Bears and Vikings will meet in week 17.
#Bears schedule tidbits: #Vikings at Soldier Field Monday, Oct. 9. #Panthers at SF Oct. 22. Season finale 12/31 at Minnesota.
— Brad Biggs (@BradBiggs) April 20, 2017
That’s relevant to the Lions because it means a week 17 game against the Packers. If they are indeed the Thanksgiving opponent, that would mean a road game at a potentially frigid Lambeau Field. Even if Thanksgiving isn’t the Packers trip to Ford Field, would the NFL give the Lions week 17 home games against the Packers in back to back years?
According to more leaks, the answer appears to be yes.
So Wk 1 vs. SEA. Wk 4 vs CHI. Wk 7 vs NO. Wk 9 vs DET. Wk 16 vs. MINN. Wk 17 @ DET.
— Kyle Cousineau (@KCousineau09) April 20, 2017
#Packers home schedule:
— Kyle Cousineau (@KCousineau09) April 20, 2017
Wk 1 SEA
Wk 3 CIN
Wk 4 (TNF) CHI
Wk 7 NO
Wk 9 (MNF) DET
Wk 11 BAL
Wk 13 TB
wk 16 (Sat) MINN
A mid-season trip to Lambeau would not be the worst, although doing so on national television may not be the best given the Lions’ lack of success in road games against the Packers.
But it looks like closing at home against the Packers may not be the only repeat we see from the 2016 schedule. It looks like the Vikings will be making a second-straight trip to Detroit for Thanksgiving Day.
#Vikings schedule so far...
— Yinka Ayinde (@Saxyprince) April 20, 2017
Week 1: vs. Saints Home Monday Night
Week 8: vs Browns London
Week 9: Bye
Week 12: @Lions Thanksgiving
Back to Biggs, he later followed with more tweets to finish off the Bears’ schedule, including their two meetings with the Lions.
#Bears November schedule:
— Brad Biggs (@BradBiggs) April 20, 2017
Nov. 5 bye
Nov. 12 Packers
Nov. 19 Lions
Nov. 26 at Eagles
#Bears December schedule:
— Brad Biggs (@BradBiggs) April 20, 2017
Dec. 3 49ers
Dec. 10 at Bengals
Dec. 16 at Lions
Dec. 24 Browns
Dec. 31 at Vikings
There it is. The full slate.
Yes, that’s a Saturday game in week 15. The November 19 game is week 11, the week before the Lions host their annual Thanksgiving game.
Mark down week six for the Lions’ trip to New Orleans.
I'm told Week 6: #Saints to host #Lions
— John Hendrix (@JohnJHendrix) April 20, 2017
And it will be week 14 when the Lions travel to face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
I just found this in my Dogs mouth! Tally the Wonder Dog strikes again! Full Bucs schedule 2017 pic.twitter.com/Mim8jlWDS3
— JP Peterson (@FanStreamJP) April 20, 2017
Next: A Linebacker for the Lions for Every Round in the Draft
Stay tuned for more leaks and rumors as they come out ahead of tonight’s official release. This post will be updated as new information comes available.