DET
Detroit Lions
83.0PFM Team Score#8 NFL
VS
Detroit Lions vs. Buffalo Bills: PFM Team Comparison
The Buffalo Bills hold a slight overall advantage over the Detroit Lions in the current PFM ratings. Buffalo separates itself through the bigger big-play threat and the less severe defensive concern.
Current PFM Team Scores
Slight edgeBUF
Buffalo Bills
84.9PFM Team Score#5 NFL
PFM JUDGMENT
Why PFM Rates the Buffalo Bills Higher
The explosive-play advantage belongs to the Buffalo Bills. One chunk gain can rescue a drive that was otherwise going nowhere. Detroit's strongest counterargument is Coaching Direction. The Detroit Lions have the stronger coaching operation under Dan Campbell. The advantage shows up in preparation, adjustments and pressure situations.
Buffalo also brings the less severe defensive concern. The Buffalo Bills 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
Detroit Lions’ Best Argument
The staff edge favors the Detroit Lions. Dan Campbell gives the team steadier direction than Buffalo has on the sideline. The coaching direction advantage is a real point in Detroit's favor, but it does not outweigh the rest of the higher-rated team’s advantages. The problem for Detroit is that Buffalo counters with the bigger big-play threat and the less severe defensive concern.
COMPLETE COMPARISON
Where Each Team Has the Edge
PFM Team Score
DET83.0
Detroit Lions 83.0BUF84.9
Buffalo Bills 84.9Overall NFL Rank
DET#8
Detroit Lions #8BUF#5
Buffalo Bills #5QB Stability
DET83.9
Detroit Lions 83.9BUF87.2
Buffalo Bills 87.2Roster Strength
DET83.9
Detroit Lions 83.9BUF82.1
Buffalo Bills 82.1Coaching Direction
DET85.7
Detroit Lions 85.7BUF74.8
Buffalo Bills 74.8Recent Performance
DET75.2
Detroit Lions 75.2BUF85.2
Buffalo Bills 85.2Offense
DET88.4
Detroit Lions 88.4BUF90.9
Buffalo Bills 90.9Defense
DET70.8
Detroit Lions 70.8BUF77.7
Buffalo Bills 77.7Franchise Direction
DET80.6
Detroit Lions 80.6BUF77.8
Buffalo Bills 77.8Explosiveness
DET82.0
Detroit Lions 82.0BUF92.5
Buffalo Bills 92.5Conference Rank
DET#5
Detroit Lions #5BUF#2
Buffalo Bills #2Division Rank
DET#2
Detroit Lions #2BUF#1
Buffalo Bills #1Outlook
DETPlayoff ContenderBUFPlayoff Contender
Same outlookSCHEDULE 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 AheadBuffalo Bills
Remaining schedule rank: #14
Toughest stretch: Kansas City Chiefs, New England Patriots, Green Bay Packers
Strongest opponents: Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Rams, Chicago Bears
Next five difficulty: 79.9
View Buffalo Bills Road AheadBuffalo has the tougher Road Ahead at No. 14. The strongest opponents include Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Rams, and Chicago Bears. Detroit gains one meaningful schedule advantage, while Buffalo still owns the stronger football advantages elsewhere.
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