Detroit Lions to host Saints in 2026 Week 1 opener; Buffalo trip set for Week 2

The Detroit Lions will host the New Orleans Saints in Week 1 of the 2026 NFL regular season in Detroit, according to reports circulating ahead of the league’s full schedule release. The matchup pairs two NFC teams for an intra-conference opener. The exact kickoff time and broadcast details for the game have not yet been disclosed.

The early reveal adds another piece to the 2026 slate that is being reported in stages before the league unveils the complete schedule at 8 p.m. ET. Detroit and New Orleans last met in 2023, when the Lions won 33-28 at the Superdome. In that game, quarterback Jared Goff threw for 213 yards with two touchdowns as Detroit held off a late Saints push.

Both clubs enter 2026 aiming to return to the postseason after disappointing 2025 campaigns. The Lions finished 9-8 last season and missed the playoffs. The Saints went 6-11 in 2025 in Kellen Moore’s first year as head coach. Those results set the stage for an early-season measuring stick between two teams positioned to reset their trajectories.

Week 2 road game at Bills on Thursday night

Following the opener against New Orleans, Detroit is slated to travel to face the Buffalo Bills in Week 2. That game will come on Thursday Night Football as Buffalo opens Highmark Stadium. It places the Lions on a quick turnaround after Week 1, while giving the Bills a nationally televised debut for their new home field.

Buffalo’s Thursday showcase had been indicated previously, with Detroit identified as the visiting side for the stadium’s first regular-season game. Specific kickoff times and networks for the Lions’ first two weeks have not been officially announced. Additional schedule details, including bye weeks and divisional stretches, will clarify the degree of difficulty for Detroit’s opening month once the full slate posts.

Recent form and series context

Recent head-to-head history offers a narrow reference point for the Week 1 matchup. Detroit’s 2023 victory in New Orleans featured efficient quarterback play and timely scoring, while the Saints kept the contest close into the fourth quarter. With roster moves and coaching adjustments since then, both sides will look different in 2026, but the familiarity between the franchises adds context to an opener with early NFC implications.

For New Orleans, Moore’s second season brings another opportunity to embed his systems and stabilize results after a first-year transition. Detroit, meanwhile, will try to turn a winning 2025 record into tangible postseason progress after falling just short of the playoff field. How each team handles the opening fortnight — from preparation for Week 1 through the short week before Buffalo — will offer early clues about their 2026 outlooks.

The NFL is expected to release the full 2026 regular-season schedule at 8 p.m. ET. Once official, teams will confirm exact times and broadcasters for early games, including the Lions’ opener against the Saints and their Week 2 trip to Buffalo.