MIA
Miami Dolphins
74.3PFM Team Score#25 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 more dependable offense.
Current PFM Team Scores
Major edgeDET
Detroit Lions
86.0PFM Team Score#4 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 defense, where the teams remain essentially even.
Detroit also brings the more dependable offense. Detroit adds the steadier quarterback room. 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
Defense Is Miami’s Only Close Fight
Miami's defense gives the team one place to push back. The Dolphins are only 4.2 points behind Detroit in Defense, but that is where Miami's case ends. Detroit still has Jared Goff at quarterback and the deeper roster, two advantages the Dolphins cannot match in this comparison.
COMPLETE COMPARISON
Where Each Team Has the Edge
PFM Team Score
MIA74.3
Miami Dolphins 74.3DET86.0
Detroit Lions 86.0Overall NFL Rank
MIA#25
Miami Dolphins #25DET#4
Detroit Lions #4QB Stability
MIA77.2
Miami Dolphins 77.2DET86.2
Detroit Lions 86.2Roster Strength
MIA78.4
Miami Dolphins 78.4DET83.4
Detroit Lions 83.4Coaching Direction
MIA72.5
Miami Dolphins 72.5DET85.9
Detroit Lions 85.9Recent Performance
MIA68.0
Miami Dolphins 68.0DET80.0
Detroit Lions 80.0Offense
MIA78.3
Miami Dolphins 78.3DET89.3
Detroit Lions 89.3Defense
MIA71.5
Miami Dolphins 71.5DET75.7
Detroit Lions 75.7Franchise Direction
MIA72.8
Miami Dolphins 72.8DET80.7
Detroit Lions 80.7Explosiveness
MIA70.9
Miami Dolphins 70.9DET86.8
Detroit Lions 86.8Conference Rank
MIA#13
Miami Dolphins #13DET#3
Detroit Lions #3Division Rank
MIA#4
Miami Dolphins #4DET#1
Detroit Lions #1Outlook
MIAPlayoff Long ShotDETSuper Bowl Contender
Stronger outlook: Detroit LionsSCHEDULE CONTEXT
Which Team Has the Tougher Road?
Miami Dolphins
Remaining schedule rank: #4
Toughest stretch: Denver Broncos, Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers
Strongest opponents: Detroit Lions, Chicago Bears, Buffalo Bills
Next five difficulty: 80.1
View Miami Dolphins Road AheadDetroit 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 AheadMiami has the tougher Road Ahead at No. 4. The strongest opponents include the Detroit Lions, Chicago Bears, and Buffalo Bills. Detroit also has the more favorable road, which adds to the stronger coaching operation and the more dependable offense.
Explore Both Team Dashboards
Ratings and Schedule Freshness
PFM ratings updated October 27, 2026. Schedule data updated October 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