Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford wanted to be in the spotlight games, and he got his wish.
Not bad for a team that went from 2002 through 2010 without begin invited even once to the popular Monday night event.
This year's marquee games include the Lions' home opener Sept. 27, on Sunday night, against future Hall of Famer Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos.
Eight days later, the Lions will travel to Seattle to face the Seahawks on Monday night.
Detroit's annual Thanksgiving Day opponent will be the Philadelphia Eagles.
One week after that, the Lions will be on Thursday night football, again from Ford Field, against division rival Green Bay.
The Lions will make their second Monday night appearance of the season, at New Orleans on Dec. 21.
The other nationally televised game will be from London, England, on Nov. 1 against the Kansas City Chiefs with a kickoff of 9:30 a.m. Eastern time.
"I know as players, guys get really fired up to play on prime time," Stafford said. "It's a lot of fun to play in front of the whole country.
"I think you kind of have to earn them, no question, you've got to play good for them to put you on national TV games."
The entire NFL schedule was officially released Tuesday night.
The Lions will play their first two games of the season on the road against San Diego and Minnesota before the prime-time show begins.
