Major edgeDET
Detroit Lions
86.0PFM Team Score#4 NFL
VS
Detroit Lions vs. Arizona Cardinals: PFM Team Comparison
The Detroit Lions hold a major overall advantage over the Arizona Cardinals in the current PFM ratings. Detroit separates itself through the stronger coaching operation and the more dependable offense.
Current PFM Team Scores
ARI
Arizona Cardinals
73.0PFM Team Score#31 NFL
PFM JUDGMENT
Why PFM Rates the Detroit Lions Higher
The staff edge favors the Detroit Lions. Dan Campbell gives the team steadier direction than Arizona has on the sideline. The Arizona Cardinals are closest in defense, where the teams remain essentially even.
Detroit also brings the more dependable offense. Detroit adds the deeper roster. The Detroit Lions still deserves the higher PFM rating.
TEAM DNA COMPARISON
Detroit vs. Arizona 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
ARIArizona Cardinals
ARIZONA’S BEST PUSHBACK
Defense Is Arizona’s Only Close Fight
Arizona's defense gives the team one place to push back. Arizona sits only 3.6 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 Cardinals cannot match in this comparison.
COMPLETE COMPARISON
Where Each Team Has the Edge
PFM Team Score
DET86.0
Detroit Lions 86.0ARI73.0
Arizona Cardinals 73.0Overall NFL Rank
DET#4
Detroit Lions #4ARI#31
Arizona Cardinals #31QB Stability
DET86.2
Detroit Lions 86.2ARI77.9
Arizona Cardinals 77.9Roster Strength
DET83.4
Detroit Lions 83.4ARI72.8
Arizona Cardinals 72.8Coaching Direction
DET85.9
Detroit Lions 85.9ARI71.4
Arizona Cardinals 71.4Recent Performance
DET80.0
Detroit Lions 80.0ARI69.5
Arizona Cardinals 69.5Offense
DET89.3
Detroit Lions 89.3ARI74.5
Arizona Cardinals 74.5Defense
DET75.7
Detroit Lions 75.7ARI72.1
Arizona Cardinals 72.1Franchise Direction
DET80.7
Detroit Lions 80.7ARI73.0
Arizona Cardinals 73.0Explosiveness
DET86.8
Detroit Lions 86.8ARI63.3
Arizona Cardinals 63.3Conference Rank
DET#3
Detroit Lions #3ARI#16
Arizona Cardinals #16Division Rank
DET#1
Detroit Lions #1ARI#4
Arizona Cardinals #4Outlook
DETSuper Bowl ContenderARIPlayoff Long Shot
Stronger outlook: Detroit LionsSCHEDULE 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 AheadArizona Cardinals
Remaining schedule rank: #6
Toughest stretch: Seattle Seahawks, Los Angeles Rams, Kansas City Chiefs
Strongest opponents: Kansas City Chiefs, San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks
Next five difficulty: 83.7
View Arizona Cardinals Road AheadArizona has the tougher Road Ahead at No. 6. The strongest opponents include Kansas City Chiefs, San Francisco 49ers, and Seattle Seahawks. 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 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