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Detroit Lions vs. Jacksonville Jaguars: PFM Team Comparison

PFM rates the Detroit Lions higher than the Jacksonville Jaguars overall, with a clear advantage. The main reasons are the more dependable offense and the stronger coaching operation.

Current PFM Team Scores

Clear edgeDET

Detroit Lions

86.5PFM Team Score#5 NFL
JAX

Jacksonville Jaguars

83.1PFM Team Score#14 NFL
Swap Teams Clear Comparison
PFM JUDGMENT

Why PFM Rates the Detroit Lions Higher

The offensive edge favors the Detroit Lions because the unit has the better week-to-week floor. It can keep moving even when the first answer is taken away. The Jacksonville Jaguars are closest in defense, where the teams remain essentially even.

Detroit also brings the stronger coaching operation. Detroit adds the deeper roster. That is enough to keep the Detroit Lions ahead.

TEAM DNA COMPARISON

Detroit vs. Jacksonville 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.

DETDetroit Lions
JAXJacksonville Jaguars
Detroit Lions vs. Jacksonville Jaguars Team DNA comparisonPFM category scores on a 0 to 100 scale. QB Stability: Detroit Lions 85.3, Jacksonville Jaguars 82.0, edge DET +3.3; Offense: Detroit Lions 88.9, Jacksonville Jaguars 81.5, edge DET +7.4; Defense: Detroit Lions 80.3, Jacksonville Jaguars 82.0, edge JAX +1.7; Coaching Direction: Detroit Lions 85.7, Jacksonville Jaguars 80.0, edge DET +5.7; Roster Depth: Detroit Lions 84.1, Jacksonville Jaguars 79.4, edge DET +4.7. Hover on desktop or tap on mobile to isolate one team at a time.
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JACKSONVILLE’S BEST PUSHBACK

Defense Is Jacksonville’s Only Close Fight

Jacksonville's defense gives the team one place to push back. The Jaguars are only 1.7 points behind Detroit in Defense, but that is where Jacksonville's case ends. Detroit still has Jared Goff at quarterback and the deeper roster, two advantages the Jaguars cannot match in this comparison.

COMPLETE COMPARISON

Where Each Team Has the Edge

PFM Team Score

DET86.5
Detroit Lions 86.5
JAX83.1
Jacksonville Jaguars 83.1
Clear Detroit Lions edge

Overall NFL Rank

DET#5
Detroit Lions #5
JAX#14
Jacksonville Jaguars #14
Detroit Lions ranks higher

QB Stability

DET85.3
Detroit Lions 85.3
JAX82.0
Jacksonville Jaguars 82.0
Clear Detroit Lions edge

Roster Strength

DET84.1
Detroit Lions 84.1
JAX79.4
Jacksonville Jaguars 79.4
Clear Detroit Lions edge

Coaching Direction

DET85.7
Detroit Lions 85.7
JAX80.0
Jacksonville Jaguars 80.0
Clear Detroit Lions edge

Recent Performance

DET80.1
Detroit Lions 80.1
JAX88.5
Jacksonville Jaguars 88.5
Clear Jacksonville Jaguars edge

Offense

DET88.9
Detroit Lions 88.9
JAX81.5
Jacksonville Jaguars 81.5
Clear Detroit Lions edge

Defense

DET80.3
Detroit Lions 80.3
JAX82.0
Jacksonville Jaguars 82.0
Slight Jacksonville Jaguars edge

Franchise Direction

DET80.5
Detroit Lions 80.5
JAX76.7
Jacksonville Jaguars 76.7
Clear Detroit Lions edge

Explosiveness

DET84.9
Detroit Lions 84.9
JAX79.1
Jacksonville Jaguars 79.1
Clear Detroit Lions edge

Conference Rank

DET#4
Detroit Lions #4
JAX#7
Jacksonville Jaguars #7
Detroit Lions ranks higher

Division Rank

DET#1
Detroit Lions #1
JAX#2
Jacksonville Jaguars #2
Detroit Lions ranks higher

Outlook

DETSuper Bowl ContenderJAXPlayoff Contender
Stronger outlook: Detroit Lions
TEAM CONSTRUCTION

How These Teams Are Built Differently

Detroit Lions

Strongest Rating
Offense
Category Edge
Offense
Biggest Matchup Concern
Defense

Detroit's clearest category edge is Offense. The Detroit Lions have the more dependable offense against the Jacksonville Jaguars. The unit has more ways to create points when a game forces the team away from its preferred approach. The biggest problem in this matchup is Defense, where Jacksonville owns the clearer advantage.

Jacksonville Jaguars

Strongest Rating
QB Stability
Category Edge
None in this matchup
Biggest Matchup Concern
Offense

Jacksonville's strongest current rating is QB Stability, but Detroit still leads that category. The biggest problem in this matchup is Offense, where Detroit owns the clearer advantage.

SCHEDULE CONTEXT

Which Team Has the Tougher Road?

Detroit Lions

Full schedule rank: #28

Toughest stretch: New England Patriots, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Chicago Bears

Strongest opponents: Buffalo Bills, New England Patriots, Green Bay Packers

View Detroit Lions Road Ahead

Jacksonville Jaguars

Full schedule rank: #24

Toughest stretch: New England Patriots, Cincinnati Bengals, Philadelphia Eagles

Strongest opponents: Philadelphia Eagles, New England Patriots, Denver Broncos

View Jacksonville Jaguars Road Ahead

Jacksonville has the tougher Road Ahead at No. 24. The strongest opponents include Philadelphia Eagles, New England Patriots, and Denver Broncos. Detroit also has the more favorable road, which adds to the more dependable offense and the stronger coaching operation.

View the complete all-32 Road Ahead

Ratings and Schedule Freshness

PFM ratings updated September 8, 2026. Schedule data updated June 29, 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.

See the complete PFM NFL Team Rankings and methodology.

PFM ratings updated
How PFM grades NFL teams