Lions Find Out Why They Don’t Get Bye Week After Germany Game
Image Credits: Scott Winters/Imago
Image Credits: Scott Winters/Imago
The Detroit Lions have gotten their international showcase game for the 2026 season. However, the official schedule has brought along with it confusion amongst the fans.
The Lions are set to play a match in Munich against the New England Patriots during Week 10. However, despite there traditionally being a bye week for teams that participate in international games, the Lions will not be getting it, and there’s a reason behind it, too.
They have decided not to have a bye week in Week 11 in order not to mess up their Thanksgiving schedule. Team President Rod Wood had already prepared the fans for this exact scenario.
“It’s not any longer guaranteed that you’ll get the bye after the international game,” stated Wood. “We’re in a little bit of an odd situation with Thanksgiving. I think it’s unlikely that we’ll get it the week right after the game,” Wood had told reporters in April.
October 28, 2018 - Detroit, Michigan, United States - Detroit Lions team president Rod Wood speaks in honor of the induction of three former Detroit Lions players as Legends of the Pride of the Lions during the second half of an NFL American Football Herren USA football game against the Seattle Seahawks in Detroit, Michigan USA, on Sunday, October 28, 2018. Seattle Seahawks v Detroit Lions PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY - ZUMAn230 20181028_zaa_n230_1156 Copyright: xAmyxLemusx
October 28, 2018 - Detroit, Michigan, United States - Detroit Lions team president Rod Wood speaks in honor of the induction of three former Detroit Lions players as Legends of the Pride of the Lions during the second half of an NFL American Football Herren USA football game against the Seattle Seahawks in Detroit, Michigan USA, on Sunday, October 28, 2018. Seattle Seahawks v Detroit Lions PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY - ZUMAn230 20181028_zaa_n230_1156 Copyright: xAmyxLemusx
That means that the Lions will have an early bye week in Week 6. This leaves them with a stretch of 12 games consecutively. Additionally, they will also have a tough start with 3 games in 12 days.
The Lions will therefore have to face the Patriots in Munich, then the Buccaneers, and then the Bears for their Thanksgiving matchup. Fans are demanding answers from league executives.
However, according to a recent insider report, the truth behind this scheduling has been revealed.
Detroit Intentionally Declined The Post-Germany Bye Week Offer
Lions insider Justin Rogers reported a massive update on the Lions’ scheduling and as to what really occurred behind the scenes.
According to Rogers, the organization made the conscious decision not to have the bye week after their international game so as not to disrupt their preparation for Thanksgiving.
“The team had the option of whether to take the bye or not,” Rogers stated. “They chose not to with the flow of the Thanksgiving schedule,” he added during an episode on the Lions Collective.
According to The Detroit News, “Knowing they were going to Germany, home, short, week, Thursday, they were really hoping to see that 10-day break post Thanksgiving”.
Dan Campbell’s roster will have to power through an exhausting stretch in November. While fans can understand the thought process behind it, only time will tell if this will pay off.
What are your thoughts about it?
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Written by
Dhruv Vishnu Nair
Edited by
Zaid Quraishi