The preseason has concluded and the next order of business for GM Brad Holmes and head coach Dan Campbell is trimming the roster down to an initial 53 players by 4 p.m. Tuesday and then beginning to create their 16-man practice squad on Wednesday.
After that they get to work on the Los Angeles Rams and the rest of the early slate of opponents on the regular season schedule.
Following is a look at the Lions' first four games of the 2024 NFL season:
Week 1 vs. Los Angeles Rams, Sept. 8, 8:20 p.m.
A rematch of last year's Wild Card game where the Lions snapped a three-decade losing streak in the playoffs.
Players to watch:
Cornerback Terrion Arnold, Detroit: The rookie will make his NFL debut after the Lions selected him in the first round of this year's draft. Arnold has been dealing with a pectoral injury the last couple weeks but is expected to return to practice this week. Detroit loves his man-cover skills and expects him to be an early contributor.
Quarterback Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles: Stafford did an interview this offseason talking about last year's playoff loss in Detroit and how electric the environment in Ford Field was. He can expect more of the same in the season opener on Sunday Night Football. Stafford threw for 367 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions in that playoff matchup in January.
Key stat: In Detroit's 24-23 win last season, the Lions were 3-for-3 scoring touchdowns in the red zone while the Rams were 0-for-3. It was one of the glaring differences between the two clubs in that contest.
Week 2 vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Sept. 15, 1 p.m.
Another playoff rematch from last season. The Lions won 31-23 at Ford Field to punch their ticket to the NFC Championship Game.
Players to watch:
Wide receiver Jameson Williams, Detroit: The Lions defeated the Buccaneers twice last season, including a Week 6 matchup in Tampa Bay where Williams caught a 45-yard touchdown late in the third quarter that helped propel Detroit to victory. Williams is expected to play a big role in Detroit's offense as their No. 2 receiver.
Wide receiver Mike Evans, Tampa Bay: Evans and the Bucs' vertical passing attack will give us a great opportunity to see just how improved the Lions' pass defense is after remaking the cornerback room and adding to the defensive line. Evans has at least 1,000 receiving yards in 10 straight seasons.
Key stat: Last season's playoff matchup saw the Lions rush for 100-plus yards and a touchdown for the 15th time in a game last season.
Week 3 at Arizona Cardinals, Sept. 22, 4:25 p.m.
These two teams played five straight years from 2017-21 with the Lions going 4-0-1 vs. the Cardinals over that span. It's the first regular season road game for the Lions and it's a long trip out west.
Players to watch:
Defensive lineman Aidan Hutchinson, Detroit: The third-year edge rusher is poised for a monster season after earning his first Pro Bowl nod last year. Kyler Murray is one of the most elusive quarterbacks in the league and it will take a team effort by the front seven, led by Hutchinson, to contain him.
Wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr., Arizona: The first receiver selected in this year's draft and the No. 4 overall selection is expected to be the favorite target of Murray. Reports out of Arizona are that Harrison had a terrific training camp as their No. 1 receiver and is expected to garner the respect of having the opponent's No. 1 cornerback across from him starting Week 1.
Key stat: The Cardinals ranked 31st in the NFL last season allowing 25.5 points per game.
Week 4 vs. Seattle Seahawks, Sept. 30, 8:15 p.m.
A second nationally televised game for the Lions in the first month of the season. This one also at Ford Field for Monday Night Football.
Players to watch:
Wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown, Detroit: St. Brown had six catches for 102 yards in the Week 2 loss to the Seahawks last season. Devon Witherspoon, Seattle's terrific young cornerback, played 421 reps in the slot last season (348 out wide), which means he and St. Brown should see a lot of each other.
Cornerback Devon Witherspoon, Seattle: Witherspoon was one of the best rookie defenders last season earning a Pro Bowl selection after recording 79 tackles, 3.0 sacks, eight tackles for loss, one interception and 16 passes defended.
Key stat: The Lions look to break the streak of losses to the Seahawks in each of the last three seasons and their last six against Seattle dating back to 2015.
