Major edgeDET
Detroit Lions
86.5PFM Team Score#5 NFL
Detroit Lions vs. Miami Dolphins: PFM Team Comparison
The Detroit Lions hold a major overall advantage over the Miami Dolphins in the current PFM ratings. Detroit separates itself through the stronger coaching operation and the bigger big-play threat.
Current PFM Team Scores
MIA
Miami Dolphins
75.1PFM Team Score#24 NFL
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. The Miami Dolphins are closest in roster strength, where the teams remain essentially even.
Detroit also brings the bigger big-play threat. Detroit adds the stronger defense. The Detroit Lions still deserves the higher PFM rating.
TEAM DNA COMPARISON
Detroit vs. Miami 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
MIAMiami Dolphins
MIAMI’S BEST PUSHBACK
Roster Strength Is Miami’s Only Close Fight
Miami's roster gives the team one place to push back. Miami sits only 5.2 points behind Detroit in Roster Strength, but close is not the same as an edge. Detroit still has Jared Goff at quarterback and Dan Campbell leading the coaching staff, two advantages the Dolphins cannot match in this comparison.
COMPLETE COMPARISON
Where Each Team Has the Edge
PFM Team Score
DET86.5
Detroit Lions 86.5MIA75.1
Miami Dolphins 75.1Overall NFL Rank
DET#5
Detroit Lions #5MIA#24
Miami Dolphins #24QB Stability
DET85.3
Detroit Lions 85.3MIA78.9
Miami Dolphins 78.9Roster Strength
DET84.1
Detroit Lions 84.1MIA78.9
Miami Dolphins 78.9Coaching Direction
DET85.7
Detroit Lions 85.7MIA72.5
Miami Dolphins 72.5Recent Performance
DET80.1
Detroit Lions 80.1MIA68.7
Miami Dolphins 68.7Offense
DET88.9
Detroit Lions 88.9MIA78.4
Miami Dolphins 78.4Defense
DET80.3
Detroit Lions 80.3MIA72.4
Miami Dolphins 72.4Franchise Direction
DET80.5
Detroit Lions 80.5MIA72.8
Miami Dolphins 72.8Explosiveness
DET84.9
Detroit Lions 84.9MIA70.1
Miami Dolphins 70.1Conference Rank
DET#4
Detroit Lions #4MIA#12
Miami Dolphins #12Division Rank
DET#1
Detroit Lions #1MIA#3
Miami Dolphins #3Outlook
DETSuper Bowl ContenderMIANeeds More Help
Stronger outlook: Detroit LionsTEAM CONSTRUCTION
How These Teams Are Built Differently
Detroit Lions
- Strongest Rating
- Offense
- Category Edge
- Explosiveness
- Biggest Matchup Concern
- No clear matchup concern
Detroit's clearest category edge is Explosiveness. The explosive-play advantage belongs to the Detroit Lions against the Miami Dolphins. One chunk gain can rescue a drive that was otherwise going nowhere. Miami does not own a separate category that creates a major matchup concern.
Miami Dolphins
- Strongest Rating
- QB Stability
- Category Edge
- None in this matchup
- Biggest Matchup Concern
- Explosiveness
Miami's strongest current rating is QB Stability, but Detroit still leads that category. The biggest problem in this matchup is Explosiveness, 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 AheadMiami Dolphins
Full schedule rank: #4
Toughest stretch: Los Angeles Chargers, Buffalo Bills, New England Patriots
Strongest opponents: Kansas City Chiefs, San Francisco 49ers, Detroit Lions
View Miami Dolphins Road AheadMiami has the tougher Road Ahead at No. 4. The strongest opponents include Kansas City Chiefs, San Francisco 49ers, and the Detroit Lions. Detroit also has the more favorable road, which adds to the stronger coaching operation and the bigger big-play threat.
Explore Both Team Dashboards
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.
PFM ratings updated
How PFM grades NFL teams