You’re sitting there, remote in hand, wings maybe already defrosting, and you’re asking: what time do the lions play sunday? It’s the question every Detroiter or Honolulu Blue devotee has burned into their brain by this time of year. We’ve spent decades waiting for meaningful January football. But if you’re looking at the TV guide for this coming Sunday, January 18, 2026, you’re going to notice something frustratingly blank where the Lions logo should be.
The Detroit Lions aren't playing this Sunday. Period.
Honestly, it’s a tough pill to swallow after the hype of the season. They wrapped up their 2025-2026 campaign on January 4 with a gritty 19-16 win over the Chicago Bears, but that victory was bittersweet. It wasn't enough to punch a ticket to the postseason. While the rest of the NFC North watches the Bears host the Rams in the Divisional Round, the Lions are already deep into "next year" mode.
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What Time Do the Lions Play Sunday? The Reality of the 2026 Offseason
If you’re checking the schedule for a kickoff time today, you won’t find one. The Lions finished the season at the bottom of the NFC North. Because they ended in fourth place, their season officially concluded in Week 18. There is no playoff game, no Wild Card miracle, and no Divisional matchup on the books for Detroit this weekend.
Basically, the "kickoff" for the Lions right now is happening in the front office, not on the field at Ford Field.
While the Lions are sidelined, the NFL schedule for Sunday, January 18, 2026, is actually packed with heavy hitters. If you just need a football fix, here is who is actually taking the field:
- Houston Texans at New England Patriots: 3:00 p.m. ET (ABC/ESPN)
- Los Angeles Rams at Chicago Bears: 6:30 p.m. ET (NBC/Peacock)
It’s a bit of a sting to see the Bears—a team the Lions just beat—hosting a Divisional game at Soldier Field while Detroit watches from the couch. But that’s the reality of the NFL standings.
Why the Lions Missed the January 18 Cut
Why aren't we talking about a Lions kickoff time? It came down to divisional consistency. Despite a late-season surge and that final win against Chicago, the Lions were haunted by a season sweep at the hands of the Minnesota Vikings. In the NFL, tiebreakers and divisional records are everything. By the time Sunday, January 4 rolled around, the Vikings had already locked the Lions out of any upward mobility in the NFC North standings.
Dan Campbell’s squad showed flashes of that 2023 magic, but the 2025 season was defined by "almosts." Almost beating the Packers on Thanksgiving. Almost holding off the Rams in Week 15. Those "almosts" are why your Sunday afternoon is suddenly wide open.
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Looking Ahead: The 2026 Opponents are Already Set
Since there’s no game to watch this Sunday, the next best thing is looking at who the Lions will face when they return in the fall of 2026. Because they finished fourth in the division, their 2026 schedule is technically "easier" on paper, as they'll face other fourth-place finishers from the previous season.
The 2026 home-and-away matchups have already been finalized. Here’s a look at what’s coming to Ford Field:
- The North: Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings.
- NFC South & AFC East: New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, New England Patriots, New York Jets.
- The Performance Matchups: Tennessee Titans, New York Giants.
On the road, they'll head to places like Miami, Buffalo, and Arizona. It’s a travel-heavy schedule, but for fans asking what time do the lions play sunday, the answer won't be clear until the official NFL schedule release in May 2026.
The Draft is the New Postseason
For Detroit, the "big game" has shifted from the field to the draft board. With the season over, the focus is entirely on the 2026 NFL Draft. Since the Lions aren't playing in the Divisional Round or the NFC Championship, their scouting department is already out in full force.
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You’ll see them linked to defensive secondary help and perhaps more depth on the interior line. The goal is to make sure that next January, when people search for the Lions' Sunday game time, they actually find a kickoff instead of an offseason update.
Actionable Steps for Lions Fans This Weekend
Just because the Lions aren't playing doesn't mean you have to ignore football. If you're looking to stay engaged with the team's future, here is how to handle your "Lions-free" Sunday:
- Scout the Competition: Watch the Rams vs. Bears game at 6:30 p.m. ET on NBC. Since the Lions play both these teams twice a year (and the Rams have become a recurring rival), it’s worth seeing how they match up.
- Check the Draft Order: Keep an eye on the mock drafts starting to circulate now that the Lions' pick is locked in. Sites like PFF and ESPN will have updated boards based on the final regular-season standings.
- Update Your Gear: Most retailers start clearing out current season Lions apparel right about now. It’s a good time to grab a jersey for the 2026 season at a discount.
- Mark the Calendar: The next major "game" for the Lions is the start of the new league year in March and the NFL Draft in April.
The Lions might be out of the hunt for now, but the cycle never truly stops. Enjoy the Divisional Round as a neutral observer, and get ready for the 2026 schedule reveal this spring.