A 1:00 PM ET kickoff—the classic Sunday afternoon slot—usually wraps up between 4:12 PM and 4:30 PM. That’s perfect for a late brunch or early dinner. But a 4:25 PM ET start? That baby will bleed into the evening news, ending around 7:37 PM. If you’ve got a 7:30 movie, you’re cutting it dangerously close to missing the opening credits.
For the Sunday Night Football crowd (typically 8:20 PM ET kickoff), the game ends around 11:32 PM. That’s the moment you realize you have a 6 AM alarm. And don’t forget Thursday Night Football, which starts at 8:15 PM and often ends near midnight—perfect for those who thrive on sleep deprivation and leftover wings.
Lions Game Over When Did It End
When the Lions Play, Add Drama
The Detroit Lions have a reputation for keeping it close. In recent seasons, their games have averaged 3 hours and 22 minutes—slightly longer than the league average. Why? Because they’re in nail-biters that go down to the wire, with late-game timeouts and desperate fourth-down conversions. Think of it as bonus entertainment with your popcorn.
Fun little fact: The longest Lions game in recent history was a 2026 thriller against the Buffalo Bills that lasted 3 hours and 38 minutes. That’s almost a full extra episode of The Office. So if you see “Lions vs. Bills” on the schedule, plan accordingly—or just embrace the chaos.
