Detroit Lions 2012 Schedule: Power Ranking Lions' 5 Biggest Games

The NFL released its 2012 schedule Tuesday, which includes the 16-game slate the Detroit Lions will face next season. 

Scanning the Lions' schedule, five games jump out as the most important.

5. Week 7: at Chicago Bears

The Lions' first real division test comes on Monday Night Football in Chicago, where Detroit has some proving to do. Just a season ago, the Lions waltzed into Soldier Field and got beat down, 37-13, as Matthew Stafford threw four picks and the fourth quarter turned chippy.

The Lions need to send a message to the Bears, who upgraded offensively this offseason, early in the 2012 season.

4. Week 2: at San Francisco 49ers

After what should be a cakewalk at home against the St. Louis Rams to open the season, the Lions must travel to San Francisco for a rematch of the "Handshake Game." Week 2 also marks the first of five primetime games for the Lions in 2012.

And while Lions-49ers is an early season game, it may have future NFC playoff implications. Certainly not a season-ender if the Lions leave the Bay Area with a loss, but Week 2 will be a good measuring stick early on. 

3. Week 12: vs. Houston Texans

The Lions' annual Thanksgiving game pits Detroit against one the AFC's Super Bowl contenders in the Houston Texans. While I'm not sure a game outside of the conference is as appealing as a game against a traditional opponent such as the Packers, there's still plenty to like about this matchup.

The Texans have firepower on both sides of the ball with established stars in Andre Johnson, Arian Foster, J.J. Watt and Brian Cushing. Tasty matchup, no pun intended.

2. Week 17: vs. Chicago Bears

The final game in any season is important, but we've seen in the last two Super Bowl winners just how drastic the final couple of weeks can be. Momentum is a factor in the playoffs, whether you believe in it or not. 

And depending on how the rest of the season unfolds, Week 17 could represent a must-win for the Lions to get into the playoffs and/or win the division. Detroit should enjoy the fact that it'll finish the season at home, too. 

1. Week 14: at Green Bay Packers

Both Packers games are important (the Lions host Green Bay in Week 11), but I think a primetime game at Lambeau Field in Week 14 holds more weight. The Lions are certainly a contender in the NFC, but getting by the Packers in the North is likely on the to-do list this season.

There's nothing that could get Detroit to the top division faster than leaving Lambeau with a primetime win. Not an easy task, but the Lions are plenty capable.