Detroit Lions 2023 NFL schedule: Matthew Stafford will not make Ford Field return

The Detroit Lions‘ upset of the Green Bay Packers, 20-16, on Sunday night at Lambeau Field had a trickle-down effect on their 2023 schedule.

They will not host the Los Angeles Rams during the 2023 NFL regular season, which means no return of former franchise quarterback Matthew Stafford. At least until 2024, when the Rams are scheduled to visit the Lions at Ford Field.

A Lions loss to Green Bay in the regular season would have pushed the Lions into third in the NFC North, where they would have played the fellow third-place team in the NFC West. Instead, they finish second in the division, ahead of Green Bay and Chicago and behind division winner Minnesota.

The Lions will now play at the Dallas Cowboys (12-5, second in NFC East) and Baltimore Ravens (10-7, second in AFC North).

They play the entire NFC South and AFC West, along with the usual two games against each division opponent. They’ll have nine away games and eight at home.

The Lions lost an October visit to Stafford’s Rams last season, 28-19. Stafford, of course, led LA to a Super Bowl victory later that season.

RECORD BOOKS:Detroit Lions’ Jamaal Williams breaks franchise rush TD record, turns heads with player intro

The Lions will reap the rewards of LA’s lost season, which saw Stafford play just nine games and finish with 10 touchdowns and eight interceptions. LA gifted the Lions the sixth overall pick in April’s draft as part of the Stafford trade two years ago. The Lions will also pick 15th overall with their own selection.

The Lions (9-8) were eliminated from the playoffs about 50 minutes before kickoff Sunday, after a 19-16 overtime win by Seattle over the Rams.

Here are the Lions’ 2023 opponents, with the NFL schedule to come out this spring: