Ranking Lions' 5 Toughest 2023 Games

All Lions ranks the five-toughest games for the Detroit Lions entering the 2023 season.

After much speculation and a variety of leaks, the Detroit Lions' schedule for the 2023 season has officially been set.

It features five nationally televised games, with four of the contests coming in primetime (including Detroit's Week 1 matchup with Kansas City, which kicks off the NFL's regular season schedule).

The Lions' season opener with Patrick Mahomes and the defending Super Bowl champion Chiefs marks the first time that Detroit will participate in the NFL's annual "Kickoff Game."

Let's take a look now at the five toughest games on the Lions' 2023 schedule.

5.) Week 4 – Thursday, Sept. 28, at Packers (8:15 p.m., Prime Video)

Sure, Aaron Rodgers is no longer donning a Packers uniform. Yet, I'm of the mindset that it will remain tough to beat the Packers at Lambeau Field, and especially in a primetime matchup.

Remember, this is also an early-season matchup, and the Lions will still be without the services of second-year receiver Jameson Williams, who has been suspended for the first six games of the season for violating the league's anti-gambling policy.

Additionally, at this early juncture in the campaign, teams, such as Detroit, will still be learning how to game-plan for Green Bay's new starting signal-caller, Jordan Love.

It's why this game scares me for the Lions. And, although Detroit should still prevail victorious, it wouldn't surprise me if Love & Co. come out on top.

4.) Week 18 - vs. Vikings (H); TBD

This season-ending contest between the Vikings and Lions could very well determine who wins the NFC North division. Subsequently, there's a strong likelihood this game ends up being flexed into the Sunday Night Football window (just as Detroit's 2022 regular season finale against Green Bay was).

I believe the Lions will be playing their best football at this time in the season, and it surely helps Detroit having this game at home instead of in Minnesota.

But, if the division is truly on the line coming into this contest, the Lions will be unable to slip up against Kirk Cousins & Co.

Although a large chunk of fans and pundits alike have already dismissed the Vikings' chances of repeating as division champs, I'm of the mindset that Minnesota is still good enough to win the NFC North. So, as much as it pains you to read this, Lions fans, if your team doesn't bring its "A" game in this regular season finale, it could very well cost Detroit a playoff spot.

3.) Week 7 - Sunday, Oct. 22, at Ravens (1 p.m., FOX)

Good luck to Aaron Glenn prepping his defense for Lamar Jackson, the current highest-paid player in NFL history, and the Ravens' new-look offense.

It's always been tough for a defensive coordinator to game-plan for Jackson, the 2019 NFL MVP. Yet, now when you face Baltimore, you also have to devise a strategy for stopping receivers Odell Beckham Jr. and Zay Flowers, two offseason acquisitions of Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta. And the Ravens also possess Pro Bowl tight end Mark Andrews and a highly capable No. 1 running back in J.K. Dobbins.

All in all, beating Jackson & Co. in Baltimore would be a nice statement win for Campbell's team.

2.) Week 17 - Sunday, Dec. 31, at Cowboys (8:15 p.m., ESPN/ABC)

It will never be an easy task to beat the Cowboys at "Jerry World." And, in addition to that being the case, this game could very well carry heavy playoff implications for both Dallas and Detroit. Furthermore, this late-season matchup has been designated for primetime (as a special New Year's Eve telecast), and could determine which of the two teams – and which of the two organizations doesn't– grabs a wild card spot in the NFC playoffs.

In my opinion, the Lions could prove their mettle with a win at AT&T Stadium. And, as stated above, Detroit -- with a victory in this Week 17 tilt -- could clinch a playoff berth (and the franchise's first since the 2016 season).  

1.) Week 1 - Thursday Sept. 7, at Chiefs (8:20 p.m., NBC)

In my opinion, it doesn't get any tougher than opening up the season against the reigning Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs – and in front of a national audience. On top of all that, this Week 1 contest marks the very first game of the entire 2023 NFL regular season.

Subsequently, there's a significant amount of pressure riding on Dan Campbell and the Lions to go into Arrowhead Stadium and produce a solid performance.

If the Lions were able to pull off the upset victory against Patrick Mahomes & Co., it certainly would go a long way toward proving that Campbell's squad is for real, and add fuel to the local and national media narrative that the Lions are on the rise.