Clear edgeDET
Detroit Lions
86.0PFM Team Score#4 NFL
Detroit Lions vs. Minnesota Vikings: PFM Team Comparison
PFM rates the Detroit Lions higher than the Minnesota Vikings overall, with a clear advantage. The main reasons are the more dependable offense and the steadier quarterback room.
Current PFM Team Scores
MIN
Minnesota Vikings
80.1PFM Team Score#14 NFL
WEEK 8 MATCHUP
Sunday, Nov. 1 1:00 PM ET
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PFM CALL
Locks November 1st at 1:00 PM EST
Who wins Minnesota Vikings vs. Detroit Lions?
Week 8 matchup
AwayMIN6-0
HomeDET4-2
Pick the winner.
PFM JUDGMENT
Why PFM Rates the Detroit Lions Higher
The Detroit Lions bring the broader offense. The unit has more answers than Minnesota when the opening approach stalls. Minnesota's strongest counterargument is Defense. The Vikings can lean on their defense more than the Lions can. That creates a better floor when the offense stalls or field position turns against the team.
Detroit also brings the steadier quarterback room. Detroit adds the deeper roster. That is enough to keep the Detroit Lions ahead.
TEAM DNA COMPARISON
Detroit vs. Minnesota 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
MINMinnesota Vikings
THE COUNTERARGUMENT
Minnesota Vikings’ Best Argument
Defense is one of the clearest reasons the Minnesota Vikings sit higher. The unit gives the offense more chances to recover from a bad drive. That is why the overall gap is smaller than the score first suggests. Detroit still answers with the more dependable offense and the steadier quarterback room, which keeps the overall judgment in place.
COMPLETE COMPARISON
Where Each Team Has the Edge
PFM Team Score
DET86.0
Detroit Lions 86.0MIN80.1
Minnesota Vikings 80.1Overall NFL Rank
DET#4
Detroit Lions #4MIN#14
Minnesota Vikings #14QB Stability
DET86.2
Detroit Lions 86.2MIN75.5
Minnesota Vikings 75.5Roster Strength
DET83.4
Detroit Lions 83.4MIN79.4
Minnesota Vikings 79.4Coaching Direction
DET85.9
Detroit Lions 85.9MIN83.2
Minnesota Vikings 83.2Recent Performance
DET80.0
Detroit Lions 80.0MIN89.5
Minnesota Vikings 89.5Offense
DET89.3
Detroit Lions 89.3MIN69.6
Minnesota Vikings 69.6Defense
DET75.7
Detroit Lions 75.7MIN84.0
Minnesota Vikings 84.0Franchise Direction
DET80.7
Detroit Lions 80.7MIN79.0
Minnesota Vikings 79.0Explosiveness
DET86.8
Detroit Lions 86.8MIN78.4
Minnesota Vikings 78.4Conference Rank
DET#3
Detroit Lions #3MIN#7
Minnesota Vikings #7Division Rank
DET#1
Detroit Lions #1MIN#4
Minnesota Vikings #4Outlook
DETSuper Bowl ContenderMINPlayoff Contender
Stronger outlook: Detroit LionsSCHEDULE CONTEXT
Which Team Has the Tougher Road?
Detroit Lions
Remaining schedule rank: #19
Toughest stretch: New England Patriots, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Chicago Bears
Strongest opponents: Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers, New England Patriots
Next five difficulty: 80.2
View Detroit Lions Road AheadMinnesota Vikings
Remaining schedule rank: #2
Toughest stretch: Buffalo Bills, Green Bay Packers, San Francisco 49ers
Strongest opponents: San Francisco 49ers, Detroit Lions, Chicago Bears
Next five difficulty: 83.5
View Minnesota Vikings Road AheadMinnesota has the tougher Road Ahead at No. 2. The strongest opponents include San Francisco 49ers, the Detroit Lions, and Chicago Bears. Detroit also has the more favorable road, which adds to the more dependable offense and the steadier quarterback room.
Explore Both Team Dashboards
Ratings and Schedule Freshness
PFM ratings updated October 27, 2026. Schedule data updated October 26, 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