ARI
Arizona Cardinals
73.3PFM Team Score#28 NFL
Arizona Cardinals vs. Detroit Lions: PFM Team Comparison
PFM rates the Detroit Lions higher than the Arizona Cardinals overall, with a clear advantage. The main reasons are the stronger coaching operation and the more dependable offense.
Current PFM Team Scores
Clear edgeDET
Detroit Lions
83.0PFM Team Score#8 NFL
WEEK 5 MATCHUP
Sunday, Oct. 11 4:25 PM ET
View on NFL Schedule
PFM CALL
Locks October 11th at 4:25 PM EDT
Who wins Detroit Lions vs. Arizona Cardinals?
Week 5 matchup
AwayDET2-2
HomeARI1-3
Pick the winner.
PFM JUDGMENT
Why PFM Rates the Detroit Lions Higher
Dan Campbell gives the Detroit Lions the stronger coaching operation. Preparation and in-game answers matter once the opening script no longer controls the game. Arizona's strongest counterargument is Defense. The Arizona Cardinals own the higher defensive grade, although the unit still falls short of the strength range.
Detroit also brings the more dependable offense. Detroit adds the deeper roster. PFM still has the Detroit Lions in front.
TEAM DNA COMPARISON
Arizona vs. Detroit Across the Core Pillars
The farther a team reaches, the stronger the rating. Each category also calls out which team has the edge and the exact gap. Hover on desktop or tap on mobile to isolate one team.
ARIArizona Cardinals
DETDetroit Lions
THE COUNTERARGUMENT
Arizona Cardinals’ Best Argument
The defensive concern is smaller for Arizona, but it has not disappeared. That is why the overall gap is smaller than the score first suggests. Detroit still answers with the stronger coaching operation and the more dependable offense, which keeps the overall judgment in place.
COMPLETE COMPARISON
Where Each Team Has the Edge
PFM Team Score
ARI73.3
Arizona Cardinals 73.3DET83.0
Detroit Lions 83.0Overall NFL Rank
ARI#28
Arizona Cardinals #28DET#8
Detroit Lions #8QB Stability
ARI77.4
Arizona Cardinals 77.4DET83.9
Detroit Lions 83.9Roster Strength
ARI72.9
Arizona Cardinals 72.9DET83.9
Detroit Lions 83.9Coaching Direction
ARI71.7
Arizona Cardinals 71.7DET85.7
Detroit Lions 85.7Recent Performance
ARI69.7
Arizona Cardinals 69.7DET75.2
Detroit Lions 75.2Offense
ARI76.2
Arizona Cardinals 76.2DET88.4
Detroit Lions 88.4Defense
ARI72.8
Arizona Cardinals 72.8DET70.8
Detroit Lions 70.8Franchise Direction
ARI73.1
Arizona Cardinals 73.1DET80.6
Detroit Lions 80.6Explosiveness
ARI64.1
Arizona Cardinals 64.1DET82.0
Detroit Lions 82.0Conference Rank
ARI#15
Arizona Cardinals #15DET#5
Detroit Lions #5Division Rank
ARI#4
Arizona Cardinals #4DET#2
Detroit Lions #2Outlook
ARIPlayoff Long ShotDETPlayoff Contender
Stronger outlook: Detroit LionsSCHEDULE CONTEXT
Which Team Has the Tougher Road?
Arizona Cardinals
Remaining schedule rank: #1
Toughest stretch: Seattle Seahawks, Los Angeles Rams, Kansas City Chiefs
Strongest opponents: Kansas City Chiefs, Seattle Seahawks, San Francisco 49ers
Next five difficulty: 83.7
View Arizona Cardinals Road AheadDetroit Lions
Remaining schedule rank: #25
Toughest stretch: New England Patriots, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Chicago Bears
Strongest opponents: Chicago Bears, New England Patriots, Minnesota Vikings
Next five difficulty: 77.4
View Detroit Lions Road AheadArizona has the tougher Road Ahead at No. 1. The strongest opponents include Kansas City Chiefs, Seattle Seahawks, and San Francisco 49ers. Detroit also has the more favorable road, which adds to the stronger coaching operation and the more dependable offense.
Explore Both Team Dashboards
Ratings and Schedule Freshness
PFM ratings updated October 6, 2026. Schedule data updated October 6, 2026.
How to Read This Comparison
PFM Team Score determines the overall order. The Team DNA comparison puts five core pillars on the same 0–100 scale, while the full rows show every current category.
PFM compares overall team strength rather than predicting one matchup. Road Ahead adds schedule context without changing PFM Team Score.
PFM ratings updated
How PFM grades NFL teams