2016 Lions Schedule Has Grueling Start

The Detroit Lions announced their 2016 NFL Schedule yesterday, and if you disliked last year's rocky start, you may not want to look inside.

The Lions, who stumbled out of the gates 1-7 last year, only to recover with a 6-2 second half, face the same uphill battle this year, opening up with three tough road games in the first four games, before finally getting a break with three staright games in the friendly confines of Ford Field.

The Lions open up on the road against the Indianapolis Colts, who struggled last year, but have the always formidable Andrew Luck at quarterback. They then have thier home opener in week two against the Tennessee Titans, who had a rugh go last season as well, but will be bolstered by a big draft crop coming in.

Then it's on the road to Green Bay to face the wild card team from the Division last season, the Packers. And then another divisional road game with Chicago, before getting Philly, the Rams and the Redskins at home.

The traditional Thanksgiving Day game will be with defending NFC North champs Minnesota, before the Lions hit a December stretch with the return games with Chicago and Green Bay and a tough road games in New Orleans, Dallas and New York.

LIONS SCHEDULE

Week 1: Sunday, Sept. 11 at Indianapolis Colts, 4:25 p.m., Fox.

Week 2: Sunday, Sept. 18 vs. Tennessee Titans, 1 p.m., CBS.

Week 3: Sunday, Sept. 25 at Green Bay Packers, 1 p.m., Fox.

Week 4: Sunday, Oct. 2 at Chicago Bears, 1 p.m., Fox.

Week 5: Sunday, Oct. 9 vs. Philadelphia Eagles, 1 p.m., Fox.

Week 6: Sunday, Oct. 16 vs. Los Angeles Rams, 1 p.m., Fox.

Week 7: Sunday, Oct. 23 vs. Washington Redskins, 1 p.m., Fox.

Week 8: Sunday, Oct. 30 at Houston Texans, 1 p.m., Fox.

Week 9: Sunday, Nov. 6 at Minnesota Vikings, 1 p.m., Fox.

Week 10: Bye week.

Week 11: Sunday, Nov. 20 vs. Jacksonville Jaguars, 1 p.m., CBS.