Detroit Lions: NFL moves international games back to United States soil

Even though the Detroit Lions schedule is not available yet, one thing is certain, the Lions will not be playing any international games this year.

The Detroit Lions 2020 season schedule will be announced this coming Thursday, but fans can rest assure one thing, there will be no Lions football across the ocean in London this year. Courtesy of COVID-19, the National Football League (NFL) had to make some changes.

Initially, the Lions were slated to be a part of the NFL’s International Series but that has since been cancelled. The International Series has been moved back to the United States, and those games will now be played in home stadiums.

The Lions were looking to make a return to London, England, and play in their third game overseas since the NFL has started this International Series. They have not been to London for a game since the 2015 season.

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Back in 2014, the Lions’ first London matchup would be the Lions versus the Atlanta Falcons at Wembley Stadium.

They would let the Falcons get out to a 21-0 lead, and then score 22 unanswered points in the second half to secure the win.

The leg of Matt Prater would give the Lions the victory as time expired and the 22-point comeback was completed.

This win and the close game between the two teams would earn the Lions another London game in the 2015 season. The Lions would return to Wembley Stadium the following season.

This year they would face off against the Kansas City Chiefs, and the result was not favorable and a bad memory for Lions fans. The Chiefs would stomp the Lions 45-10 with Chiefs quarterback, Alex Smith rushing for a score and throwing for two more.

It was not the best game for Matthew Stafford who was 22-36 for 217 yards, throwing for a touchdown, but also two interceptions in the game. In 2020, Stafford is returning from a back injury that has him “healthy and ready to go” and he could redeem himself over in London.

With the outbreak of COVID-19, this chance will be postponed for the 2020 season, but hopefully, once all this clears up, the Lions will get their chance to play in London once again. The rest of the Lions 2020 season schedule will be available for fans on Thursday, without the London game.

Keep in mind that the Lions were last in the division so they will get a last-place schedule which should hopefully work to their benefit. However, they had a last-place schedule this past season which resulted in a 3-12-1 record on the season.

The 2020 season may see the International Series on the shelf, but when it does become safe and viable, expect the Lions to be in the mix for another international appearance.