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Minnesota Vikings vs. Detroit Lions: PFM Team Comparison

The Detroit Lions hold a clear overall advantage over the Minnesota Vikings in the current PFM ratings. Detroit separates itself through the more dependable offense and the steadier quarterback room.

Current PFM Team Scores

MIN

Minnesota Vikings

78.9PFM Team Score#18 NFL
Clear edgeDET

Detroit Lions

86.7PFM Team Score#4 NFL
Swap Teams Clear Comparison
PFM JUDGMENT

Why PFM Rates the Detroit Lions Higher

The Detroit Lions have the more dependable offense. The unit has more ways to create points when a game forces the team away from its preferred approach. The Minnesota Vikings are closest in defense, where the teams remain essentially even.

Detroit also brings the steadier quarterback room. Detroit adds the deeper roster. The counterargument matters, but it does not erase Detroit's clear overall advantage.

TEAM DNA COMPARISON

Minnesota 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.

MINMinnesota Vikings
DETDetroit Lions
Minnesota Vikings vs. Detroit Lions Team DNA comparisonPFM category scores on a 0 to 100 scale. QB Stability: Minnesota Vikings 76.4, Detroit Lions 85.4, edge DET +9.0; Offense: Minnesota Vikings 76.6, Detroit Lions 88.5, edge DET +11.9; Defense: Minnesota Vikings 80.2, Detroit Lions 80.5, edge DET +0.3; Coaching Direction: Minnesota Vikings 82.2, Detroit Lions 85.7, edge DET +3.5; Roster Depth: Minnesota Vikings 79.8, Detroit Lions 84.5, edge DET +4.7. Hover on desktop or tap on mobile to isolate one team at a time.
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MINNESOTA’S BEST PUSHBACK

Defense Is Minnesota’s Only Close Fight

Minnesota's defense gives the team one place to push back. Minnesota sits only 0.3 points behind Detroit in Defense, but close is not the same as an edge. Detroit still has Jared Goff at quarterback and the deeper roster, two advantages the Vikings cannot match in this comparison.

COMPLETE COMPARISON

Where Each Team Has the Edge

PFM Team Score

MIN78.9
Minnesota Vikings 78.9
DET86.7
Detroit Lions 86.7
Clear Detroit Lions edge

Overall NFL Rank

MIN#18
Minnesota Vikings #18
DET#4
Detroit Lions #4
Detroit Lions ranks higher

QB Stability

MIN76.4
Minnesota Vikings 76.4
DET85.4
Detroit Lions 85.4
Clear Detroit Lions edge

Roster Strength

MIN79.8
Minnesota Vikings 79.8
DET84.5
Detroit Lions 84.5
Clear Detroit Lions edge

Coaching Direction

MIN82.2
Minnesota Vikings 82.2
DET85.7
Detroit Lions 85.7
Clear Detroit Lions edge

Recent Performance

MIN79.9
Minnesota Vikings 79.9
DET80.1
Detroit Lions 80.1
Essentially even

Offense

MIN76.6
Minnesota Vikings 76.6
DET88.5
Detroit Lions 88.5
Major Detroit Lions edge

Defense

MIN80.2
Minnesota Vikings 80.2
DET80.5
Detroit Lions 80.5
Slight Detroit Lions edge

Franchise Direction

MIN77.0
Minnesota Vikings 77.0
DET80.5
Detroit Lions 80.5
Clear Detroit Lions edge

Explosiveness

MIN77.1
Minnesota Vikings 77.1
DET84.9
Detroit Lions 84.9
Clear Detroit Lions edge

Conference Rank

MIN#8
Minnesota Vikings #8
DET#3
Detroit Lions #3
Detroit Lions ranks higher

Division Rank

MIN#4
Minnesota Vikings #4
DET#1
Detroit Lions #1
Detroit Lions ranks higher

Outlook

MINIn the Playoff MixDETSuper Bowl Contender
Stronger outlook: Detroit Lions
TEAM CONSTRUCTION

How These Teams Are Built Differently

Minnesota Vikings

Strongest Rating
Coaching Direction
Category Edge
None in this matchup
Biggest Matchup Concern
Offense

Minnesota's strongest current rating is Coaching Direction, but Detroit still leads that category. The biggest problem in this matchup is Offense, where Detroit owns the clearer advantage.

Detroit Lions

Strongest Rating
Offense
Category Edge
Offense
Biggest Matchup Concern
No clear matchup concern

Detroit's clearest category edge is Offense. The offensive edge favors the Detroit Lions because the unit has the better week-to-week floor against the Minnesota Vikings. It can keep moving even when the first answer is taken away. Minnesota does not own a separate category that creates a major matchup concern.

SCHEDULE CONTEXT

Which Team Has the Tougher Road?

Minnesota Vikings

Full schedule rank: #17

Toughest stretch: Detroit Lions, Buffalo Bills, Green Bay Packers

Strongest opponents: Detroit Lions, San Francisco 49ers, New England Patriots

View Minnesota Vikings Road Ahead

Detroit Lions

Full schedule rank: #28

Toughest stretch: New England Patriots, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Chicago Bears

Strongest opponents: New England Patriots, Buffalo Bills, Chicago Bears

View Detroit Lions Road Ahead

Minnesota has the tougher Road Ahead at No. 17. The strongest opponents include the Detroit Lions, San Francisco 49ers, and New England Patriots. Detroit also has the more favorable road, which adds to the more dependable offense and the steadier quarterback room.

View the complete all-32 Road Ahead

Ratings and Schedule Freshness

PFM ratings updated August 25, 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.

See the complete PFM NFL Team Rankings and methodology.

PFM ratings updated
How PFM grades NFL teams