ALLEN PARK -- The Detroit Lions will appear in five nationally televised games with four prime time appearances in 2012 for the first time since 1998.

Last season, Detroit had one "Monday Night Football" game against the Chicago Bears, plus played two prime time games against the New Orleans Saints last season.

Detroit's first prime time game occurs in Week 2 when the Lions travel to San Francisco to take on the 49ers, who claimed the NFC West last season, on NBC's "Sunday Night Football" (8:30 p.m. Sept. 16, NBC).

In Week 7, the Lions travel to Chicago to play the Bears on "Monday Night Football" (8:30 p.m. Oct. 22, ESPN). It is the Lions' first-ever prime time game at Soldier Field.

"Those are fun games," Lions center Dominic Raiola said. "It means for one, my family will be able to watch it for sure. They don't need a ticket. Those are fun games to be a part of. We haven't been a part of a lot of them. I haven't.

"Thanksgiving is a given. Outside of that, we should have few. Last year was fun, being on prime-time. It's exiting. The speed. Everything picks up in prime time. Those are fun games to be a part of."

Detroit's other prime time game will be against the Houston Texans on Thanksgiving Day (Nov.r 22). The contest will feature a matchup between Texans receiver Andre Johnson and Lions receiver Calvin Johnson, two of the best pass-catchers in the NFL.

"I know Detroit is a very physical team," Texans coach Gary Kubiak said. "I know coach (Jim) Scwartz's football team from Tennessee. When we played them, they were very physical. Very impressed with the job they did. They became very explosive on offense, too. Their young QB is one hell of a player. I think Scott (Linehan) is one of the top offensive minds in football. They have a great young team. It's going to be tough.

"(Then there is) two great players (Andre Johnson and Calvin Johnson. One that has been doing it for a long, long time, and one that is well on his way to doing it for a long time. The thing I think about both of those guys is not only are they great players, but great kids. They are very respected in the business."

Detroit's next prime time game is set for Week 14 when its faces the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on "Sunday Night Football" (8:30 p.m. Dec. 9, NBC). This year's meeting is the sixth prime time game between the two clubs since 1970 and first since they played on Sunday night Dec. 11, 2005. The Lions have played three previous games (Nov. 1, 1971; Nov. 2, 1997 and Dec. 11, 2005) at Green Bay on prime time television.

Detroit's fifth prime time game will be at home against the Atlanta Falcons on Saturday night in Week 16 (8:30 p.m. Dec. 22, ESPN).

Detroit will also have its Aug. 17 preseason road game against Baltimore nationally televised on FOX (8 p.m.).

"I'm always excited about the schedule, even when we didn't have any prime time games," Lions general manager Martin Mayhew said.

2012 Detroit Lions Schedule

HOME GAMES IN CAPS

PRESEASON

Aug. 10 -- CLEVELAND, 7:30 p.m.

Aug. 17 -- at Baltimore, 8 p.m. (FOX)

Aug. 25 -- at Oakland, 7 p.m.

Aug. 30 -- BUFFALO, 7 p.m.

REGULAR SEASON

Sept. 9 -- ST. LOUIS, 1 p.m. (FOX)

Sept. 16 -- at San Francisco, 8:20 p.m. (NBC)

Sept. 23 -- at Tennessee, 1 p.m. (FOX)

Sept. 30 -- MINNESOTA, 1 p.m. (FOX)

Oct. 7 -- Bye

Oct. 14 -- at Philadelphia, 1 p.m. (FOX)

Oct. 22 -- at Chicago, 8:30 p.m. (ESPN)

Oct. 28 -- SEATTLE, 1 p.m. (FOX)

Nov. 4 -- at Jacksonville, 1 p.m. (CBS)

Nov. 11 -- at Minnesota, 1 p.m. (FOX)

Nov. 18 -- GREEN BAY, 1 p.m. (FOX)

Nov. 22 -- HOUSTON, 12:30 p.m. (CBS)

Dec. 2 -- INDIANAPOLIS, 1 p.m. (CBS)

Dec. 9 -- at Green Bay, 8:20 p.m. (NBC)

Dec. 16 -- at Arizona, 4:05 p.m. (FOX)

Dec. 22 -- ATLANTA, 8:30 p.m. (ESPN)

Dec. 30 -- CHICAGO, 1 p.m. (FOX)