The Detroit Lions are seen as one of the top contenders heading into the 2025 season, but there’s a downside to the upcoming year.

The Detroit Lions are widely viewed as a powerhouse entering the 2025 NFL season, which is great news, but it also brings added pressure on Dan Campbell and his team come September. This year will be a real test for Detroit, especially since it will be their first without former offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, now with the Chicago Bears, and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn, who has joined the Jets.

As the season nears, the NFL has unveiled the projected “strength of schedule” rankings for all 32 teams. Similar to prior reports hinting at the difficulty level in 2025, the Detroit Lions are once again listed among the teams with the most challenging paths. Can this team catch a break?

The Lions are built tough, and they won’t be fazed by a demanding schedule. With Jared Goff, Amon-Ra St. Brown, and a lineup full of determined players, they’ll rise to the challenge. Still, it’s far from ideal to be stuck with such a brutal schedule.

According to the NFL’s recent post in partnership with Caesars Sports, Detroit is tied for the second hardest schedule of the 2025 season. Last season went well for Detroit, but was this kind of schedule really necessary?

Things could be worse. At least the Lions aren’t the New York Giants. Despite finishing with one of the league’s worst records in 2024, the Giants have the NFL’s toughest schedule next year. Based on last year’s opponent win percentages, the Giants top the list, followed by the Bears and Lions, who share the No. 2 slot.

On the easier end of the spectrum for 2025, the San Francisco 49ers boast the lightest schedule. The New Orleans Saints and New England Patriots also rank among those with favorable schedules for the upcoming season.

Wondering how the Giants ended up with such a brutal draw despite tying for the worst record last season? It all comes down to how the NFC North performed in 2024. That’s also the reason the Lions, Bears, Packers, and Vikings are all facing tough roads. Life’s not always fair—and for the Giants, that definitely applies here.

Unsurprisingly, fans went to X to share thoughts about the NFL’s 2025 schedule reveal. Many noticed that the 49ers received the easiest road and claimed it was no surprise.

“League giving 49ers easiest SOS, what a shock,” one fan posted. “Niners Super Bowl here we come,” another user wrote.

Others commented on the Giants’ steep schedule. “Not surprised the Giants have the hardest,” one said. “What did the Giants do to deserve this?!” added another with a skull emoji. “Really gave the Giants the hardest schedule? Haven’t they suffered enough…” another chimed in.

The NFL season kicks off on Thursday, September 4, with the NFL Kickoff Game featuring the Philadelphia Eagles against the Dallas Cowboys