Clear edgeDET
Detroit Lions
86.0PFM Team Score#4 NFL
VS
Detroit Lions vs. Buffalo Bills: PFM Team Comparison
The Detroit Lions hold a clear overall advantage over the Buffalo Bills in the current PFM ratings. Detroit separates itself through the stronger coaching operation and the less severe defensive concern.
Current PFM Team Scores
BUF
Buffalo Bills
83.5PFM Team Score#7 NFL
PFM JUDGMENT
Why PFM Rates the Detroit Lions Higher
The Detroit Lions have the stronger coaching operation under Dan Campbell. The advantage shows up in preparation, adjustments and pressure situations. Buffalo's strongest counterargument is Explosiveness. The explosive-play advantage belongs to the Buffalo Bills. One chunk gain can rescue a drive that was otherwise going nowhere.
Detroit also brings the less severe defensive concern. Detroit adds the clearer long-term football direction. The Detroit Lions still deserves the higher PFM rating.
TEAM DNA COMPARISON
Detroit vs. Buffalo 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
BUFBuffalo Bills
THE COUNTERARGUMENT
Buffalo Bills’ Best Argument
The Buffalo Bills are the bigger threat to change a game with one play. Detroit has less room for a coverage mistake or missed tackle. The explosiveness advantage is a real point in Buffalo's favor, but it does not outweigh the rest of the higher-rated team’s advantages. The problem for Buffalo is that Detroit counters with the stronger coaching operation and the less severe defensive concern.
COMPLETE COMPARISON
Where Each Team Has the Edge
PFM Team Score
DET86.0
Detroit Lions 86.0BUF83.5
Buffalo Bills 83.5Overall NFL Rank
DET#4
Detroit Lions #4BUF#7
Buffalo Bills #7QB Stability
DET86.2
Detroit Lions 86.2BUF87.1
Buffalo Bills 87.1Roster Strength
DET83.4
Detroit Lions 83.4BUF81.7
Buffalo Bills 81.7Coaching Direction
DET85.9
Detroit Lions 85.9BUF75.0
Buffalo Bills 75.0Recent Performance
DET80.0
Detroit Lions 80.0BUF86.4
Buffalo Bills 86.4Offense
DET89.3
Detroit Lions 89.3BUF91.3
Buffalo Bills 91.3Defense
DET75.7
Detroit Lions 75.7BUF67.5
Buffalo Bills 67.5Franchise Direction
DET80.7
Detroit Lions 80.7BUF77.8
Buffalo Bills 77.8Explosiveness
DET86.8
Detroit Lions 86.8BUF93.0
Buffalo Bills 93.0Conference Rank
DET#3
Detroit Lions #3BUF#2
Buffalo Bills #2Division Rank
DET#1
Detroit Lions #1BUF#1
Buffalo Bills #1Outlook
DETSuper Bowl ContenderBUFPlayoff Contender
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 AheadBuffalo Bills
Remaining schedule rank: #8
Toughest stretch: Kansas City Chiefs, New England Patriots, Green Bay Packers
Strongest opponents: Kansas City Chiefs, Chicago Bears, Denver Broncos
Next five difficulty: 80.3
View Buffalo Bills Road AheadBuffalo has the tougher Road Ahead at No. 8. The strongest opponents include Kansas City Chiefs, Chicago Bears, and Denver Broncos. Detroit also has the more favorable road, which adds to the stronger coaching operation and the less severe defensive concern.
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