For months, Detroit Lions fans and NFL analysts alike speculated about the possibility of the Lions opening the 2025 season in primetime, a spot reserved for elite teams or defending champions. After all, Detroit has become a national storyline over the past two years, climbing from perennial mediocrity to championship contention. But when the NFL announced that the 2025 Kickoff Game would feature the Philadelphia Eagles hosting the Dallas Cowboys, it was clear: the Lions won’t be playing in the NFL’s season opener.
That’s not just a scheduling decision—it’s a statement. And like everything else in the NFL, it has ripple effects far beyond the opening whistle of Week 1. This article explores what this decision means for the Lions, what went into the NFL’s choice, and why Detroit fans shouldn’t take this as a slight—but rather, a stepping stone.
A Historic Rise in Detroit
Let’s not understate what the Lions have achieved since the 2023 season. Under head coach Dan Campbell and general manager Brad Holmes, the franchise underwent a complete transformation. In 2023, the Lions defeated the Kansas City Chiefs on the road in the NFL’s opening game—an early warning sign that Detroit was no longer the league’s doormat.
They followed that performance with a 12-5 regular season and their first playoff win since 1991. In 2024, they took things even further with a 15-2 record, winning the NFC North and making it to the NFC Championship Game. The Lions are no longer a feel-good underdog—they’re a real Super Bowl contender. That’s why so many fans and analysts expected Detroit to return to the Thursday night stage to open the 2025 season.
Why the NFL Picked the Eagles and Cowboys
The NFL is in the entertainment business, and few matchups draw eyeballs like Cowboys vs. Eagles. The rivalry is historic, often nasty, and filled with national storylines. Dallas is America’s Team, with a global fanbase. Philadelphia just won the Super Bowl. Combining those two brands guarantees a ratings monster.
By contrast, the Lions—though wildly popular in Detroit and beloved by football purists—don’t yet have the same national cachet. That may sound harsh, but it’s the reality of television-driven decisions. The NFL is banking on viewership, and the Eagles-Cowboys showdown almost markets itself.
There’s also a matter of tradition. Since 2004, the defending Super Bowl champion has hosted the season opener in all but one year (2019, when the NFL opted for Packers-Bears to celebrate its 100th season). The Eagles earned that honor by winning Super Bowl LIX. And given that Dallas remains the NFL’s ratings king, it’s not surprising they were chosen as the opponent.
Detroit’s Reaction: Disappointment, Not Discouragement
Detroit fans had good reason to hope. The Lions were one of a few marquee opponents available to face the Eagles in Week 1. The others? The Giants, Commanders, Falcons, and of course, the Cowboys. While those teams all have their own stories, none had the national buzz or on-field momentum of Detroit. That made the Lions a popular choice among fans and media outlets when predicting the opener.
When the announcement was made official, the fanbase’s disappointment was immediate—and understandable. But the truth is, not playing in the opener isn’t a snub. It’s a programming decision that doesn’t diminish what Detroit has built. It’s not a reflection of the team’s potential; it’s a reflection of the NFL’s television calculus.
The Lions still have every reason to expect a heavy primetime slate. They had seven national games in 2024 and finished with some of the best TV ratings in the league. That kind of exposure isn’t disappearing overnight.
What the Schedule Still Means for Detroit
While the full 2025 schedule won’t be released until May 15, we already know Detroit’s opponents—and the slate is challenging. Here’s what the Lions are facing:
Home Games
- Green Bay Packers
- Chicago Bears
- Minnesota Vikings
- Dallas Cowboys
- New York Giants
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Cleveland Browns
- Pittsburgh Steelers
Away Games
- Green Bay Packers
- Chicago Bears
- Minnesota Vikings
- Philadelphia Eagles
- Washington Commanders
- Baltimore Ravens
- Cincinnati Bengals
- Los Angeles Rams
- Kansas City Chiefs
This is not an easy path. The Lions will face seven teams that made the playoffs in 2024 and multiple elite quarterbacks, including Patrick Mahomes, Lamar Jackson, Jalen Hurts, and Joe Burrow.
Despite this, Detroit is built to contend. With a high-powered offense led by Jared Goff, one of the NFL’s top offensive lines, and an aggressive, attacking defense, the Lions are positioned to repeat or even improve on last season’s success.
Storylines That Will Dominate 2025
Even without the season opener, the Lions’ 2025 campaign will be full of high-stakes drama. Here are a few storylines to watch:
1. Can Jared Goff Cement His Legacy?
Goff has revitalized his career in Detroit. If he leads the Lions to another deep playoff run—or the Super Bowl—he’ll be remembered as one of the most important players in franchise history. 2025 will be a critical chapter in that legacy.
2. Dan Campbell: Coach of the Year (Again)?
Campbell finished second in Coach of the Year voting in 2023 and was a finalist again in 2024. Another strong season, especially against this schedule, could finally earn him the award.
3. National Spotlight Games
Expect Detroit to play in multiple primetime slots, including Sunday Night Football, Monday Night Football, and the new Netflix-exclusive NFL Christmas Day games. The league will want to feature Detroit against teams like Kansas City, Dallas, or Cincinnati in marquee slots.
4. NFC North Supremacy
The Bears are on the rise with rookie QB Caleb Williams. The Packers continue to improve under Jordan Love. And the Vikings, despite losing Kirk Cousins, remain competitive. The NFC North could be one of the NFL’s most dramatic divisions, and Detroit will have to fight to stay on top.
How the Lions Can Use This as Motivation
Being left out of the season opener may feel like a gut punch. But it’s also an opportunity. The Lions thrive on perceived disrespect—it’s part of the culture Dan Campbell has built. Remember when no one gave them a shot in 2023 against the Chiefs? They responded by stealing the show.
This season, the mission is clear: make every game a statement. By Week 5, Detroit may well be dominating headlines again, and by January, no one will remember who opened the season on Thursday Night.
In fact, being left out of the opener could be a blessing. It gives the Lions a chance to prepare in silence, avoid the distractions of banner ceremonies, and start their season on their own terms—perhaps at home, with Ford Field rocking from the jump.
A Team That’s Bigger Than One Night
It’s easy to get wrapped up in the hype of opening night. It’s a special event. But the Lions’ identity isn’t built on flash. It’s built on grit, resilience, and execution. That’s the message Campbell will send to his team and the tone Detroit will carry into 2025.
One game won’t define their season. What will define them is how they handle a brutal schedule, respond to national pressure, and pursue the ultimate goal: a Super Bowl.
And that, not a Thursday night in early September, is what matters most.
Final Thoughts: Spotlight Deferred, Not Denied
The Lions won’t open the 2025 NFL season under the bright lights of primetime. But that doesn’t mean the lights won’t find them soon enough.
Detroit’s rise is no longer a fluke. It’s real, sustained, and respected around the league. Their omission from the NFL opener shouldn’t be viewed as a step backward—but as a setup for something even bigger. Because when the dust settles in February 2026, it might be the Lions who have the last word on the NFL stage.