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New York Jets vs. Detroit Lions: PFM Team Comparison

PFM rates the Detroit Lions higher than the New York Jets overall, with a major advantage. The main reasons are the stronger coaching operation and the more dependable offense.

Current PFM Team Scores

NYJ

New York Jets

74.4PFM Team Score#25 NFL
Major edgeDET

Detroit Lions

86.3PFM Team Score#6 NFL
Swap Teams Clear Comparison
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 New York Jets 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

New York 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.

NYJNew York Jets
DETDetroit Lions
New York Jets vs. Detroit Lions Team DNA comparisonPFM category scores on a 0 to 100 scale. QB Stability: New York Jets 74.4, Detroit Lions 85.0, edge DET +10.6; Offense: New York Jets 74.1, Detroit Lions 88.4, edge DET +14.3; Defense: New York Jets 78.5, Detroit Lions 80.1, edge DET +1.6; Coaching Direction: New York Jets 72.8, Detroit Lions 85.7, edge DET +12.9; Roster Depth: New York Jets 79.0, Detroit Lions 84.0, edge DET +5.0. Hover on desktop or tap on mobile to isolate one team at a time.
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NEW YORK’S BEST PUSHBACK

Defense Is New York’s Only Close Fight

New York's defense gives the team one place to push back. The Jets are only 1.6 points behind Detroit in Defense, but that is where New York's case ends. Detroit still has Jared Goff at quarterback and the deeper roster, two advantages the Jets cannot match in this comparison.

COMPLETE COMPARISON

Where Each Team Has the Edge

PFM Team Score

NYJ74.4
New York Jets 74.4
DET86.3
Detroit Lions 86.3
Major Detroit Lions edge

Overall NFL Rank

NYJ#25
New York Jets #25
DET#6
Detroit Lions #6
Detroit Lions ranks higher

QB Stability

NYJ74.4
New York Jets 74.4
DET85.0
Detroit Lions 85.0
Major Detroit Lions edge

Roster Strength

NYJ79.0
New York Jets 79.0
DET84.0
Detroit Lions 84.0
Clear Detroit Lions edge

Coaching Direction

NYJ72.8
New York Jets 72.8
DET85.7
Detroit Lions 85.7
Major Detroit Lions edge

Recent Performance

NYJ69.4
New York Jets 69.4
DET80.2
Detroit Lions 80.2
Major Detroit Lions edge

Offense

NYJ74.1
New York Jets 74.1
DET88.4
Detroit Lions 88.4
Major Detroit Lions edge

Defense

NYJ78.5
New York Jets 78.5
DET80.1
Detroit Lions 80.1
Slight Detroit Lions edge

Franchise Direction

NYJ75.0
New York Jets 75.0
DET80.6
Detroit Lions 80.6
Clear Detroit Lions edge

Explosiveness

NYJ72.1
New York Jets 72.1
DET83.8
Detroit Lions 83.8
Major Detroit Lions edge

Conference Rank

NYJ#13
New York Jets #13
DET#5
Detroit Lions #5
Detroit Lions ranks higher

Division Rank

NYJ#4
New York Jets #4
DET#1
Detroit Lions #1
Detroit Lions ranks higher

Outlook

NYJNeeds More HelpDETSuper Bowl Contender
Stronger outlook: Detroit Lions
SCHEDULE CONTEXT

Which Team Has the Tougher Road?

New York Jets

Remaining schedule rank: #10

Toughest stretch: Kansas City Chiefs, Buffalo Bills, Los Angeles Chargers

Strongest opponents: Kansas City Chiefs, Detroit Lions, Buffalo Bills

Next five difficulty: 81.4

View New York Jets Road Ahead

Detroit Lions

Remaining schedule rank: #28

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

Strongest opponents: New England Patriots, Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers

Next five difficulty: 76.3

View Detroit Lions Road Ahead

New York has the tougher Road Ahead at No. 10. The strongest opponents include Kansas City Chiefs, the Detroit Lions, and Buffalo Bills. Detroit also has the more favorable road, which adds to the stronger coaching operation and the more dependable offense.

View the complete all-32 Road Ahead

Ratings and Schedule Freshness

PFM ratings updated September 15, 2026. Schedule data updated September 17, 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