For the first time in decades, the Detroit Lions will be the reigning divisional champions in 2024. Winning the NFC North for the first time means many things, but among them is the prospect of playing a first-place schedule next season.
The exact sequence of the schedule isn’t known yet; the NFL releases that in a few months. But we’ve known since the regular season ended which teams the Lions will play and whether those games are at home or on the road.
Based on the 2023 records of those teams, the Lions will have the 11th-hardest slate in 2024. The Lions opponents for 2024 finished 2023 with a collective win percentage of .509. Playing in the NFC North, where the last-place Bears and Vikings both finished 7-10, doesn’t help. Drawing first-place opponents in those two crossover games also inflates the records.
The full list of 2024 strength of schedule based on opposing records in 2023 can be found at Bills Wire.