Matt Patricia's first season as Detroit Lions coach features two prime time games, an early clash with his old team, and a cold December road schedule that could have big implications on the NFC North race.
The Lions open the 2018 season at home against the New York Jets on Monday Night Football, one of two prime time games they play in the season's first month.
It's the first time they've opened the season on a Monday night since 2014, when the Lions beat the New York Giants in Jim Caldwell's first game as head coach.
The Lions got off to a hot start that season, winning seven of their first nine games en route to a wild card appearance. If they match that start this year, against a tough early-season schedule, they could be on their way back to the playoffs.
After the Monday night opener, the Lions play four straight games against playoff contenders.
They head west for a game against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 2, return home to host the New England Patriots on Sunday Night Football in Week 3, then play back-to-back games at the Dallas Cowboys and home against the Green Bay Packers before a Week 6 bye.
The Patriots, where Patricia spent the last 14 seasons as an assistant coach, have played in the last two Super Bowls, while the Cowboys and Packers were considered two of the NFC's best teams before suspensions (Ezekiel Elliott) and injuries (Aaron Rodgers) torpedoed their seasons last year.
The 49ers went just 6-10 last year, but they won their final five games with Jimmy Garoppolo, acquired in a mid-season trade with the Patriots, at quarterback.
Patricia has only worked for two NFL teams in his professional career, the Lions and Patriots, and considers Patriots coach Bill Belichick one of his closest friends and mentors.
"I have a very close friendship with (Belichick)," Patricia said at the league meetings last month. "Very blessed to have been around him and feel very fortunate that we just continually have that closeness."
The Lions play three of their first four games after the bye on the road, including division trips to Minnesota and Chicago to start November.
They play the Bears twice in the span of 11 days when Chicago visits on Thanksgiving – the Lions and Bears last played on Thanksgiving in 2014, when the Lions won, 34-17 – then close the season with five December games, including trips to cold-weather cities Buffalo and Green Bay.
The Lions host old pal Ndamukong Suh and the Los Angeles Rams in Week 13 at Ford Field, play the Bills in a Week 15 game where snow could be a factor, and close the season against the Packers for the third straight year and fourth time in five seasons.
Lions president Rod Wood successfully lobbied the NFL for a Week 17 home game the last two seasons. In 2016, the Lions lost to the Packers with the NFC North on the line, and last year they beat a depleted Green Bay team that started Brett Hundley at quarterback.
If the division title comes down to Week 17 again, the Packers will have the advantage of playing at likely snowy Lambeau Field.
The Lions have just two prime time games this season, and they don't have a Thursday night game for the second straight year.
"The only thing I look at to be honest with you, is the bye week," offensive guard T.J. Lang said Thursday afternoon, before the schedule was released. "Hopefully it;’s in the middle of the season, hopefully you can split it up a little bit.
"I know you guys get a big kick out of it this time of year and start making predictions, but as a player we’re five months away from playing a football game. So a lot can change from here till then and right now my focus is just on the present, making sure I’m ready to go
2018 Detroit Lions schedule
Sept. 10, vs. Jets, ESPN, 7:10 p.m.
Sept. 16, at 49ers, Fox, 4:05 p.m.
Sept. 23, vs. Patriots, NBC, 8:20 p.m.
Sept. 30, at Cowboys, Fox, 1 p.m.
Oct. 7, vs. Packers, Fox, 1 p.m.
Oct. 21, at Dolphins, Fox, 1 p.m.
Oct. 28, vs. Seahawks, Fox, 1 p.m.
Nov. 4, at Vikings, Fox, 1 p.m.
Nov. 11, at Bears, Fox, 1 p.m.
Nov. 18, vs. Panthers, Fox, 1 p.m.
Nov. 22, vs. Bears, CBS, 12:30 p.m.
Dec. 2, vs. Rams, Fox, 1 p.m.
Dec. 9, at Cardinals, Fox, 4:25 p.m.
Dec. 16, at Bills, Fox, 1 p.m.
Dec. 23, vs. Vikings, Fox, 1 p.m.
Dec. 30, at Packers, Fox, 1 p.m.
