If you’re checking your phone or refreshing your sports apps to see who did Detroit Lions play today, you’re probably met with a whole lot of nothing. It’s a bit of a weird feeling, isn't it? After months of Sunday rituals, Honolulu Blue jerseys, and screaming at the TV over officiating, the silence is deafening.
The short answer is: nobody. The Lions didn't play a game today, January 13, 2026.
🔗 Read more: How to Listen to the Chargers Radio Station 2024: Every Way to Catch the Bolts
Their 2025-2026 campaign officially wrapped up on January 4th with a gritty 19-16 win over the Chicago Bears. While that victory secured their fourth consecutive winning season—a feat that would have seemed like a fever dream a decade ago—it wasn't enough to punch a ticket to the postseason. The Lions finished 9-8, rooted to the bottom of an incredibly top-heavy NFC North. It's one of those "only in Detroit" stats where a winning record still lands you in last place.
The Reality of the 2026 Offseason
Honestly, the Lions are currently in "evaluation mode." While the Wild Card round just wrapped up and the Divisional matchups are being set, Dan Campbell and Brad Holmes are likely sitting in an office in Allen Park dissecting what went wrong.
The fan base is split. Some are stoked that the team finished strong, especially with Jake Bates nailing that 42-yard game-winner against the Bears as time expired. Others are looking at the mid-season slump where the team lost three straight to the Rams, Steelers, and Vikings. That’s where the playoff hopes really died.
Why the Lions Are Watching from Home
It basically came down to divisional tiebreakers and a few "what if" moments. Because the Minnesota Vikings swept Detroit earlier in the season, even with identical 9-8 records, the Vikings held the third-place spot.
The NFC North was a meat grinder this year:
🔗 Read more: World Cup Qualifying Groups: Why the New Format is Total Chaos (and How to Survive It)
- Chicago Bears (11-6) - Division Champs
- Green Bay Packers (9-7-1) - Wild Card
- Minnesota Vikings (9-8)
- Detroit Lions (9-8)
When you look at who did Detroit Lions play today, you have to realize that the teams still on the field are the ones that found a way to win those ugly 13-10 games in November. The Lions, for all their offensive firepower with Jahmyr Gibbs and Amon-Ra St. Brown, just couldn't find that defensive consistency when it mattered most.
Looking Ahead: The 2026 Opponents
Since the season is over, the NFL has already released the list of opponents for the 2026 season. If you're looking for someone to play, you'll have to wait until September, but we already know the "who" and "where."
The Lions are actually projected to have one of the easier schedules in the league next year. That's the one silver lining of finishing fourth in the division. You get a "fourth-place schedule."
Home Games at Ford Field:
- Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings (The usual suspects)
- New Orleans Saints
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- New England Patriots
- New York Jets
- Tennessee Titans
- New York Giants
Away Games:
- Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings
- Atlanta Falcons
- Buffalo Bills
- Carolina Panthers
- Miami Dolphins
- Arizona Cardinals
The road trip to Buffalo is already circling on many calendars. It's a tough environment, but after the way this season ended, Lions fans are hungry for a signature road win.
The David Montgomery Dilemma
The biggest story surrounding the team right now isn't a game, but a roster move. Rumors are swirling—and GM Brad Holmes has hinted at it—that the team might be looking to trade David Montgomery.
"Sonic and Knuckles" (Gibbs and Montgomery) have been the heart of this offense for two years. However, Montgomery's usage dipped significantly this season. If the Lions are going to evolve, they might be looking to lean entirely into Jahmyr Gibbs' explosive speed and use Monty's trade value to bolster a secondary that occasionally looked like Swiss cheese this year. It’s a risky move. Monty is the "tone-setter," the guy who punishes linebackers in the fourth quarter. Losing that grit could change the entire identity of the offense.
👉 See also: How to Catch Every Snap: Montana State Football Radio and the Bobcat Sports Network
What You Should Do Now
Since there’s no game to watch, the focus shifts to the draft and free agency. The win over Chicago locked the Lions into their draft position (middle of the pack), and the mock drafts are already flying.
If you want to stay productive as a fan, here is what you should keep an eye on:
- Monitor the Coaching Carousel: Keep an eye on whether any Lions assistants get poached for head coaching jobs elsewhere. Stability has been key to Detroit's rise.
- The Montgomery Watch: Follow local beats like Dave Birkett or Colton Pouncy for updates on trade talks. If a deal happens, it’ll likely be around the start of the new league year in March.
- Draft Prep: Start looking at edge rushers and cornerbacks. The Lions need a closer on defense to pair with Aidan Hutchinson.
The answer to who did Detroit Lions play today might be "no one," but the work to ensure that isn't the case this time next year is already starting. Take the Sunday off, catch up on some sleep, and get ready for a long, news-heavy offseason.