DET
Detroit Lions
86.0PFM Team Score#4 NFL
Detroit Lions vs. San Francisco 49ers: PFM Team Comparison
The San Francisco 49ers hold a clear overall advantage over the Detroit Lions in the current PFM ratings. San Francisco separates itself through the stronger defense and the bigger big-play threat.
Current PFM Team Scores
Clear edgeSF
San Francisco 49ers
89.3PFM Team Score#2 NFL
PFM JUDGMENT
Why PFM Rates the San Francisco 49ers Higher
TEAM DNA COMPARISON
Detroit vs. San Francisco 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
SFSan Francisco 49ers
THE COUNTERARGUMENT
Detroit Lions’ Best Argument
The Detroit Lions have the clearer long-term football direction. The quarterback room, roster strength and coaching direction fit together more cleanly than they do for the San Francisco 49ers. That is why the overall gap is smaller than the score first suggests. San Francisco still answers with the stronger defense and the bigger big-play threat, which keeps the overall judgment in place.
COMPLETE COMPARISON
Where Each Team Has the Edge
PFM Team Score
DET86.0
Detroit Lions 86.0SF89.3
San Francisco 49ers 89.3Overall NFL Rank
DET#4
Detroit Lions #4SF#2
San Francisco 49ers #2QB Stability
DET86.2
Detroit Lions 86.2SF86.1
San Francisco 49ers 86.1Roster Strength
DET83.4
Detroit Lions 83.4SF83.7
San Francisco 49ers 83.7Coaching Direction
DET85.9
Detroit Lions 85.9SF85.5
San Francisco 49ers 85.5Recent Performance
DET80.0
Detroit Lions 80.0SF90.2
San Francisco 49ers 90.2Offense
DET89.3
Detroit Lions 89.3SF88.1
San Francisco 49ers 88.1Defense
DET75.7
Detroit Lions 75.7SF84.6
San Francisco 49ers 84.6Franchise Direction
DET80.7
Detroit Lions 80.7SF75.5
San Francisco 49ers 75.5Explosiveness
DET86.8
Detroit Lions 86.8SF90.1
San Francisco 49ers 90.1Conference Rank
DET#3
Detroit Lions #3SF#1
San Francisco 49ers #1Division Rank
DET#1
Detroit Lions #1SF#1
San Francisco 49ers #1Outlook
DETSuper Bowl ContenderSFSuper Bowl Favorite
Stronger outlook: San Francisco 49ersSCHEDULE 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 AheadSan Francisco 49ers
Remaining schedule rank: #17
Toughest stretch: Los Angeles Rams, Los Angeles Chargers, Kansas City Chiefs
Strongest opponents: Kansas City Chiefs, Seattle Seahawks, Los Angeles Rams
Next five difficulty: 78.7
View San Francisco 49ers Road AheadSan Francisco has the tougher Road Ahead at No. 17. The strongest opponents include Kansas City Chiefs, Seattle Seahawks, and Los Angeles Rams. Detroit gains one meaningful schedule advantage, while San Francisco still owns the stronger football advantages elsewhere.
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