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The Detroit Lions' season opener just got a lot more difficult, which is not what the Motor City needs to hear.
The Detroit Lions are coming up on their season opener in just a few weeks, and they’re heading into the 2025-26 season as one of the most talked-about teams in the NFL. Everyone is waiting to see what this team looks like without Ben Johnson and Aaron Glenn on the coaching staff, and hopefully they still deliver.
Most in the NFL see the Lions as being one of the biggest contenders in the league, which is great. Last season, the team were at the top of the NFC, but they fell early and hard in a big upset against the Washington Commanders.
The Lions will open their regular season against the Green Bay Packers at Ford Field on Sunday, September 7, 2025, at 4:25 p.m. Eastern time. While the Packers are already seen as a challenge and one of the strongest teams in the NFC North, they just got even more challenging.
NFC North Rival Makes Major Trade
The Green Bay Packers have officially traded for defensive end Micah Parsons from the Dallas Cowboys in exchange for two first round picks and defensive tackle Kenny Clark. This is a massive move, and both Green Bay and the Dallas Cowboys fanbases are pretty much up in arms over it.
While some in Green Bay aren’t happy with the move, there’s no denying that Parsons is going to be a big asset to the Packers. They’re paying him in the form of a four-year, $188 million dollar extension.
So, when the Lions go up against the Packers in Week 1, they’re going to be a more difficult team today than they were a week ago. But, hopefully it’s nothing that the Lions can’t overcome.
“The Lions are now facing down the reality that, firstly, they’ll need to gameplan for Parsons ahead of Week 1 of the NFL season as they have a newly assembled offensive line in tow to protect Jared Goff,” notes Candace Pedraza of SideLion Report in a Thursday, August 28 feature . Secondly, Detroit is now grappling with the fact that Green Bay just made a very, very strong case for snagging their NFC North crown this season.”
A Tougher NFC North for the Detroit Lions
Pedraza lays out some more negatives, noting, “The Lions’ offensive line witnessed the departure of Frank Ragnow from their team due to retirement, and the insertion of a rookie into the starting lineup ahead of Week 1. Tate Ratledge will be in at right guard, while tackles Taylor Decker and Penei Sewell will be anchoring a line that’s now tasked with stopping Parsons.”
“This season’s matchups might not be a shootout like we saw in Week 14 last season, but they could be closer now with the addition of Parsons,” adds Jovan Alford of Detroit Jock City. “The Packers’ defense was already solid, but one thing they were missing was a bona fide pass rusher.”
Alford adds, “They got that now with Parsons, and it will be up to the Lions’ offensive line to do their job and protect Jared Goff when these teams meet this season. The first matchup between these two divisional foes is scheduled for Week 1 at Lambeau Field.”
Thankfully, when Detroit Lions go up against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 6, they’ll have a bit of an easier game than they could have experience. That’s because Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice has accepted a six-game suspension from the NFL for violating the league’s personal conduct policy. But, it won’t make up for these two doozie games against the Packers.
Anne Erickson is an award-winning reporter for Heavy Sports covering the NFL, NBA and college football. Anne Erickson has years of experience covering the NFL and additional sports, and her work has been published via ESPN, Fox Sports and more. She has interviewed some of the biggest names in sports, including Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff. Erickson also hosts several podcasts and is a Detroit-based radio host. More about Anne Erickson
