Clear edgeDET
Detroit Lions
83.0PFM Team Score#8 NFL
VS
Detroit Lions vs. Arizona Cardinals: PFM Team Comparison
The Detroit Lions hold a clear 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
73.3PFM Team Score#28 NFL
WEEK 5 MATCHUP
Sunday, Oct. 11 4:25 PM ET
View on NFL Schedule
PFM CALL
Locks October 11th at 4:25 PM EDT
Who wins Detroit Lions vs. Arizona Cardinals?
Week 5 matchup
AwayDET2-2
HomeARI1-3
Pick the winner.
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. Arizona's strongest counterargument is Defense. The defensive concern is smaller for Arizona, but it has not disappeared.
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
THE COUNTERARGUMENT
Arizona Cardinals’ Best Argument
Arizona's defense is the less serious concern, but it still grades below the strength range. The defense advantage is a real point in Arizona's favor, but it does not outweigh the rest of the higher-rated team’s advantages. The problem for Arizona is that Detroit counters with the stronger coaching operation and the more dependable offense.
COMPLETE COMPARISON
Where Each Team Has the Edge
PFM Team Score
DET83.0
Detroit Lions 83.0ARI73.3
Arizona Cardinals 73.3Overall NFL Rank
DET#8
Detroit Lions #8ARI#28
Arizona Cardinals #28QB Stability
DET83.9
Detroit Lions 83.9ARI77.4
Arizona Cardinals 77.4Roster Strength
DET83.9
Detroit Lions 83.9ARI72.9
Arizona Cardinals 72.9Coaching Direction
DET85.7
Detroit Lions 85.7ARI71.7
Arizona Cardinals 71.7Recent Performance
DET75.2
Detroit Lions 75.2ARI69.7
Arizona Cardinals 69.7Offense
DET88.4
Detroit Lions 88.4ARI76.2
Arizona Cardinals 76.2Defense
DET70.8
Detroit Lions 70.8ARI72.8
Arizona Cardinals 72.8Franchise Direction
DET80.6
Detroit Lions 80.6ARI73.1
Arizona Cardinals 73.1Explosiveness
DET82.0
Detroit Lions 82.0ARI64.1
Arizona Cardinals 64.1Conference Rank
DET#5
Detroit Lions #5ARI#15
Arizona Cardinals #15Division Rank
DET#2
Detroit Lions #2ARI#4
Arizona Cardinals #4Outlook
DETPlayoff ContenderARIPlayoff Long Shot
Stronger outlook: Detroit LionsSCHEDULE CONTEXT
Which Team Has the Tougher Road?
Detroit Lions
Remaining schedule rank: #25
Toughest stretch: New England Patriots, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Chicago Bears
Strongest opponents: Chicago Bears, New England Patriots, Minnesota Vikings
Next five difficulty: 77.4
View Detroit Lions Road AheadArizona Cardinals
Remaining schedule rank: #1
Toughest stretch: Seattle Seahawks, Los Angeles Rams, Kansas City Chiefs
Strongest opponents: Kansas City Chiefs, Seattle Seahawks, San Francisco 49ers
Next five difficulty: 83.7
View Arizona Cardinals Road AheadArizona has the tougher Road Ahead at No. 1. The strongest opponents include Kansas City Chiefs, Seattle Seahawks, and San Francisco 49ers. 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 6, 2026. Schedule data updated October 6, 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