One of the most important developments to come out of this week’s NFL owner’s meetings, which are being held virtually this year, is the implementation of a 17th regular season game for the 2021 season.
The NFL made it official on Tuesday. And as long suspected, the 17th game will be assigned by divisions. The NFC North will face the AFC West and the AFC teams will host the games. Because the Lions finished in fourth place in the NFC North in 2020, they will visit the Denver Broncos, the last-place team in the AFC West.
The exact dates of the schedule are not yet finalized. The Lions presumably will get to host a ninth home game in the 2022 season.