MIA
Miami Dolphins
75.1PFM Team Score#24 NFL
Miami Dolphins vs. Detroit Lions: PFM Team Comparison
PFM rates the Detroit Lions higher than the Miami Dolphins overall, with a major advantage. The main reasons are the stronger coaching operation and the bigger big-play threat.
Current PFM Team Scores
Major edgeDET
Detroit Lions
86.5PFM Team Score#5 NFL
PFM JUDGMENT
Why PFM Rates the Detroit Lions Higher
Dan Campbell is the coaching difference. Detroit has the more dependable answers when the first answer stops working. 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. That is enough to keep the Detroit Lions ahead.
TEAM DNA COMPARISON
Miami 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.
MIAMiami Dolphins
DETDetroit Lions
MIAMI’S BEST PUSHBACK
Roster Strength Is Miami’s Only Close Fight
Miami's roster gives the team one place to push back. The Dolphins are only 5.2 points behind Detroit in Roster Strength, but that is where Miami's case ends. 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
MIA75.1
Miami Dolphins 75.1DET86.5
Detroit Lions 86.5Overall NFL Rank
MIA#24
Miami Dolphins #24DET#5
Detroit Lions #5QB Stability
MIA78.9
Miami Dolphins 78.9DET85.3
Detroit Lions 85.3Roster Strength
MIA78.9
Miami Dolphins 78.9DET84.1
Detroit Lions 84.1Coaching Direction
MIA72.5
Miami Dolphins 72.5DET85.7
Detroit Lions 85.7Recent Performance
MIA68.7
Miami Dolphins 68.7DET80.1
Detroit Lions 80.1Offense
MIA78.4
Miami Dolphins 78.4DET88.9
Detroit Lions 88.9Defense
MIA72.4
Miami Dolphins 72.4DET80.3
Detroit Lions 80.3Franchise Direction
MIA72.8
Miami Dolphins 72.8DET80.5
Detroit Lions 80.5Explosiveness
MIA70.1
Miami Dolphins 70.1DET84.9
Detroit Lions 84.9Conference Rank
MIA#12
Miami Dolphins #12DET#4
Detroit Lions #4Division Rank
MIA#3
Miami Dolphins #3DET#1
Detroit Lions #1Outlook
MIANeeds More HelpDETSuper Bowl Contender
Stronger outlook: Detroit LionsTEAM CONSTRUCTION
How These Teams Are Built Differently
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.
Detroit Lions
- Strongest Rating
- Offense
- Category Edge
- Explosiveness
- Biggest Matchup Concern
- No clear matchup concern
Detroit's clearest category edge is Explosiveness. The Detroit Lions are the bigger threat to change a game with one play. Miami has less room for a coverage mistake or missed tackle. Miami does not own a separate category that creates a major matchup concern.
SCHEDULE CONTEXT
Which Team Has the Tougher Road?
Miami 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 AheadDetroit 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 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