WaltNFL Matchup Hub 2026 › Detroit Lions
Detroit Lions 2026 Team Report
NFC North · Bye: Week 6
Next game
Week 7 · Sun, Oct 25 · vs. Green Bay Packers · opponent power rank #15 Group B (Week 7 rankings) · Circa line -3
Game log & recaps
Lines are the Circa line from this team's side. Opponent rank = where I had them in my power rankings in effect at kickoff. Recaps are mine, word for word.
Opponent's group in my power rankings at kickoff: Group A Group B Group C Group D Group F
LIONS 31, Saints 30 (DET -7). The Lions scored early and the Saints got off to a slow start, but the switch flipped on for Tyler Shough in the second half. The Lions were sluggish for a while, allowing the Saints to come back. Detroit went down the field in overtime, and the Saints did the same, but missed on the two-point conversion. 469-369 NO, 5.5-5.1 NO
BILLS 41, Lions 31 (BUF -5.5). The Lions repeatedly shot themselves in the foot with penalties, while the offensive line couldn't block because three linemen were sidelined. The Lions were down 27-7 and got most of their yardage in garbage time. 446-355 BUF, 6.5-5.7 BUF
LIONS 31, Jets 24 (DET -6.5). This game was close for a while, but the Jets couldn't convert some red zone tries. The Lions went up 24-10, but the Jets stormed back with some great plays by Garrett Wilson and a Jahmyr Gibbs stuff. The Lions scored quickly after that with Isaac TeSlaa and Gibbs hitting big plays, and then Wilson got hurt on the ensuing drive before Geno Smith fumbled to end the game. 381-335 DET, 6.0-5.5 NYJ
PANTHERS 32, Lions 26 (CAR +3.5). Bryce Young was on fire, and Tetairoa McMillan couldn't be stopped. The Panthers were up two touchdowns to begin the fourth quarter before a garbage-time Detroit score. 452-445 DET, 6.6-6.2 DET
Lions 45, CARDINALS 21 (ARZ +5.5). The Cardinals went up early with a touchdown drive and the Lions had two scoreless possessions. After that, Detroit couldn't stop scoring. The Cardinals couldn't keep up and got two touchdowns in garbage time. 412-327 DET, 6.3-4.6 DET
Bye week: Week 6.
Splits
| Situation | Games | Straight up | ATS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home | 2 | 2-0 | 1-1 |
| Away | 3 | 1-2 | 1-2 |
| As favorite | 4 | 3-1 | 2-2 |
| As underdog | 1 | 0-1 | 0-1 |
Average cover margin: -0.2 points per game against the Circa line.
EPA rankings
Weighted EPA per play from rbsdm.com, Weeks 2-6 (Week 1 excluded). Rank among 32 teams; #1 is best on both sides of the ball.
| Dropback | Rush | Success rate | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Offense | #2 | #5 | #4 |
| Defense | #29 | #25 | #30 |
Power rankings history
| Rankings | Published | Rank | Group |
|---|---|---|---|
| Preseason rankings | Sept. 2, 2026 | #9 | Group B |
| Week 2 rankings | Sept. 14, 2026 | #12 | Group B |
| Week 3 rankings | Sept. 22, 2026 | #11 | Group B |
| Week 4 rankings | Sept. 29, 2026 | #9 | Group B |
| Week 5 rankings | Oct. 6, 2026 | #12 | Group B |
| Week 6 rankings | Oct. 13, 2026 | #11 | Group B |
| Week 7 rankings | Oct. 19, 2026 | #13 | Group B |
Injury history
OL
- Cade Mays out 1-5
- Blake Miller out 2
- Christian Mahogany out 2
- All OL return 3
- Ben Bartch out 3-5
Int DL
- Tyliek Williams DLL 5 (in)
CBs
- D.J. Reed LLL 4 (in)
- Rock Ya Sin out 4-5
Safeties
- Brian Branch out 1-5
- Kerby Joseph out 1-IR
- Avonte Maddox out 3-IR
- Thomas Harper out 3-IR
Key: F = Full in practice · L = Limited in practice · D = Did not practice · IR = Injured Reserve · PUP = Physically unable to perform · CE = Commissioner's Exempt List. Numbers are game weeks.
Charlie Campbell
