Detroit Lions fans are hopeful that Dan Campbell, Jared Goff and Co. can author a bounce back 2026 campaign.
After addressing some of its key needs in the 2026 NFL Draft, the Lions enter offseason workouts with their sights set upon reentering the championship conversation.
After back-to-back NFC North crowns in 2023 and 2024, Detroit slumped to a 9-8 record and last-place finish in the division in 2025. But, that did bring one positive for 2026: The Lions are facing a fourth-place schedule.
And, after crunching some numbers, Warren Sharp says it’s even better than that. Using Vegas oddsmakers’ forecasted win totals, Sharp reports that the Lions have the easiest NFL schedule next season.
NEW: NFL strength of schedule for 2026!
5 easiest schedules:
1️⃣ Lions
2️⃣ Saints
3️⃣ Bengals
4️⃣ Browns
5️⃣ Jets5 hardest schedules:
2️⃣8️⃣ Rams
2️⃣9️⃣ Cowboys
3️⃣0️⃣ Panthers
3️⃣1️⃣ Dolphins
3️⃣2️⃣ Cardinals1-32 with insight & analysis:https://t.co/iS1PFqfcxx
— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) May 4, 2026
Sharp’s strength of schedule rankings were ranked from easiest (No. 1) to hardest (No. 32). The rest of the NFC North’s strength of schedule rankings shake out like this according to Warren Sharp:
- Minnesota Vikings: No. 16 strength of schedule
- Green Bay Packers: No. 17 strength of schedule
- Chicago Bears: No. 27 strength of schedule
Sharp notes that strength of schedule rankings are not based on teams’ records from the previous season. Sharp argues that predicted win totals incorporate current information about team strength, including offseason acquisitions, injuries, and coaching changes and therefore are a better indicator of future performance.
The Lions’ Vegas win total is set at 10.5. The Packers‘ win total is also 10.5, the Bears‘ win total is 9.5 and the Vikings‘ win total is 8.5.
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This article originally appeared on Lions Wire: Detroit Lions projected to have easiest 2026 NFL schedule