Lions Open 2026 Season at Home Against Saints in Week 1 Showdown

Detroit hosts New Orleans at Ford Field on Sunday afternoon as both teams look to start fresh after missing the playoffs.

The Detroit Lions begin their 2026 NFL campaign on home turf, welcoming the New Orleans Saints to Ford Field for a Week 1 matchup scheduled to kick off at 1 p.m. EDT on Sunday, September 13. Both franchises are looking to turn the page after falling short of postseason berths last season, with Detroit finishing 9-8 and New Orleans at 6-11.detroitlions+2

For the Lions, the game represents an opportunity to reset after what head coach Dan Campbell described as a season that didn't meet the organization's standards. Quarterback Jared Goff emphasized the team's focus on perseverance and hard work throughout training camp, saying the squad feels well-prepared heading into the opener. The Lions enter the season with a new offensive coordinator in Drew Petzing, though questions remain about how quickly a reshuffled offensive line can find its rhythm.detroitlions+2

The Saints arrive in Detroit under second-year head coach Kellen Moore, a former Lions backup quarterback who knows the organization well. Tyler Shough enters his second season as New Orleans' starting quarterback, supported by a backfield that now includes Travis Etienne Jr., who joins Alvin Kamara after recording 1,107 rushing yards in 2025 with Jacksonville. The Saints closed last season by winning four of their final five games, though all came against teams with losing records.freep

Broadcast coverage will be handled nationally by FOX, with Kenny Albert on play-by-play, Jonathan Vilma providing color analysis, and Megan Olivi reporting from the sideline. Local radio coverage for Lions fans will air on 97.1 The Ticket (WXYT-FM), while Saints supporters can tune into WWL Radio (870 AM and 105.3 FM) in the New Orleans market. Streaming options include NFL+ for mobile and tablet devices, with additional local market streams available through platforms like Hulu + Live TV, FuboTV, and YouTube TV.detroitlions+3

Gameday festivities at Ford Field begin early, with Pride Plaza opening at 10 a.m. on Brush Street featuring food trucks, music, and interactive activities. The first 25,000 fans in attendance will receive a Detroit Lions pennant courtesy of Rocket. National anthem duties will be performed by Mike Phillips, who has previously recorded with Prince, Michael Jackson, and Stevie Wonder.detroitlions

Local sports writers offered varied predictions ahead of the matchup, with most favoring Detroit but expecting a competitive contest. Dave Birkett of the Free Press projected a 31-20 Lions victory, citing the talent gap between the rosters despite Detroit's own uncertainties in the secondary and along the offensive line. Jeff Seidel took a more cautious view, predicting a closer 24-21 Lions win while expressing concerns about the offensive line's cohesion early in the season.freep

The outcome of this opener won't define either team's season, but it will set an early tone for both franchises as they attempt to climb out of the bottom of their respective divisions and back into playoff contention.freep

KEY FACTS:
● Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. EDT on Sunday, September 13, 2026, at Ford Field in Detroit.detroitlions+1
● The game will be broadcast nationally on FOX with Kenny Albert, Jonathan Vilma, and Megan Olivi.detroitlions+1
● Both teams missed the playoffs last season: Lions finished 9-8, Saints finished 6-11.freep