For far too long, the Detroit Lions have been a running joke. They've endured brutal seasons, team legends have wasted their primes, and it took a major overhaul to finally turn this ever-struggling team into a perennial contender.
Dan Campbell knew no one would just give the Lions some respect, so he taught his pupils how to take it. But now, after a disappointing season, some are ready to sleep on the Lions again, despite all their talent.
Notably, that's not the case with Bleacher Report's Brad Gagnon. If anything, he thinks this will finally be the year the Lions get the monkey off their backs, predicting they'll make the most of their easier schedule to square off with the Buffalo Bills in the Super Bowl.
The Lions must make the most of their easier schedule
"Detroit has an easier path than any other NFC heavyweight. You'd have to think better injury luck will be on their side after they led the league by a comical margin in defensive adjusted games lost in 2025," Gagnon wrote.
The 2026 schedule is the only silver lining from last year's disappointing season. Not often does a team as stacked as the Lions get a fourth-place schedule. Now, they shouldn't find much trouble returning to the division's mountaintop.
Of course, this is a two-way street. Everyone knows the Lions' schedule gives them an obvious advantage, but it also gives them less wiggle room and margin for error; they just can't afford to lose games they're supposed to win.
There are still some questions to answer. Who will step up with Aidan Hutchinson in the pass rush? Will they make another move to bolster their cornerback room? Will the new-look offensive line answer the call? And will Isaac TeSlaa break out after a promising rookie season?
But even if they don't find the perfect answer to all of those questions, the Lions should still be in a strong position to contend. Granted, facing lesser opposition doesn't necessarily guarantee a win, but it certainly makes the ride smoother.
We just saw the New England Patriots cake-walk their way to the Super Bowl by having one of the easiest schedules in recent NFL history. And, unlike the Patriots, the Lions do have enough talent to hold their ground against top-notch contenders.
Now, back to that prediction. The Buffalo Bills, like the Lions, have been knocking on the door of the big game for a while now, and Josh Allen might be the last guy you'd ever want to see on the other side of the field with everything at stake.
That said, Coach Campbell has taught this team to play with their hearts on their sleeves, and they have one of the few offenses that could not only hold their own against the Bills' elite defense but also keep Josh Allen playing catch-up.
They must get through the regular season first, but with a much more forgiving schedule, those first four months of the season shouldn't be much more than just a tune-up for when it matters most.
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