Lions' 2024 schedule features several juicy rematches, primetime games galore

Matthew Stafford will start this season in the same place he ended last one: Ford Field. The Lions host the Rams on Sunday Night Football in Week 1, a rematch of last year's wild card game in which the Lions dispatched Stafford in his return to Detroit for their first playoff win in more than 30 years.

The Lions square off this year with each of the three teams they faced in the playoffs last season. They also host the Buccaneers in Week 2 after beating Tampa Bay in the divisional round in Detroit and re-visit the 49ers on Monday Night Football in Week 17 after falling just shy of the Super Bowl in San Fran.

Other highlights of the Lions' 2024 schedule, which was released Wednesday night:

*The Lions host the Seahawks on Monday Night Football in Week 4, another run-in with the team that's beaten them each of their three seasons under Dan Campbell -- the last two times at Ford Field. Instead of Pete Carroll on the other sideline, it will be new Seahawks head coach (and former Michigan and Ravens defensive coordinator) Mike Macdonald. Black jerseys, anyone?

*Three of the Lions' first four games are at home, followed by a Week 5 bye, setting them up for a strong start in what could be a closely-contested NFC North.

*The Lions return to their house of horrors, AT&T Stadium aka Jerry World, in Week 6 to take on the Cowboys in a late-window game on FOX. Detroit was robbed of a potential win in Dallas by an officiating gaffe last season, nine years after the same story played out in the playoffs.

*The Lions head to Houston in Week 10 to take on reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year C.J. Stroud and the Texans on Sunday Night Football. One of the best young teams in the NFL, the Texans added veteran stars this offseason in receiver Stefon Diggs, running back Joe Mixon and defensive end Danielle Hunter. A big cross-conference test for both teams, who not long ago were picking near the top of the draft.

NBC's Mike Tirico, the voice of Sunday Night Football, said Wednesday on the NFL Network, "that’s the beauty of where this league is right now. You would not have said on the schedule release show last year, 'Hey, we’re going to see the Lions with multiple primetime games, and the Texans, and here they are. That’s the way this league turns so quickly if you get the right pieces in place. Those teams have, so we’re looking forward to seeing if they can all back it up next year."

*The Lions host the rebuilt Bears on Thanksgiving. Chicago gave Detroit all it could handle and then some last season with a revamped defense, then overhauled its offense this offseason by drafting quarterback Caleb Williams first overall and receiver Rome Odunze 10th, trading for receiver Keenan Allen and signing former Lions running back D'Andre Swift.

*Exactly one week later, the Lions are back in the national spotlight when they host the Packers on Thursday Night Football. Green Bay smacked the Lions on Thanksgiving last season as part of a 6-2 run to close the season and nearly knocked off the 49ers in the divisional round to set up an NFC Championship clash in Detroit. That's two potentially huge divisional games for the Lions in back to back weeks at Ford Field.

*The Lions have five primetime games, six including their annual Thanksgiving game. They close the season by hosting the Vikings, with the date and time to be determined.

Their full schedule, with kickoff times and TV networks, is below: