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Minnesota Vikings vs. Detroit Lions: PFM Team Comparison

The Detroit Lions hold a clear overall advantage over the Minnesota Vikings in the current PFM ratings. Detroit separates itself through the more dependable offense and the steadier quarterback room.

Current PFM Team Scores

MIN

Minnesota Vikings

80.1PFM Team Score#14 NFL
Clear edgeDET

Detroit Lions

86.0PFM Team Score#4 NFL
WEEK 8 MATCHUP Sunday, Nov. 1 1:00 PM ET
View on NFL Schedule
PFM CALL Locks November 1st at 1:00 PM EST

Who wins Minnesota Vikings vs. Detroit Lions?

Week 8 matchup
AwayMIN6-0
HomeDET4-2

Pick the winner.

Choose your Call
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PFM JUDGMENT

Why PFM Rates the Detroit Lions Higher

The Detroit Lions have the more dependable offense. The unit has more ways to create points when a game forces the team away from its preferred approach. Minnesota's strongest counterargument is Defense. The Minnesota Vikings own the stronger defense. More dependable stops give the offense better field position and keep one bad drive from controlling the day.

Detroit also brings the steadier quarterback room. Detroit adds the deeper roster. The counterargument matters, but it does not erase Detroit's clear overall advantage.

TEAM DNA COMPARISON

Minnesota 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.

MINMinnesota Vikings
DETDetroit Lions
Minnesota Vikings vs. Detroit Lions Team DNA comparisonPFM category scores on a 0 to 100 scale. QB Stability: Minnesota Vikings 75.5, Detroit Lions 86.2, edge DET +10.7; Offense: Minnesota Vikings 69.6, Detroit Lions 89.3, edge DET +19.7; Defense: Minnesota Vikings 84.0, Detroit Lions 75.7, edge MIN +8.3; Coaching Direction: Minnesota Vikings 83.2, Detroit Lions 85.9, edge DET +2.7; Roster Depth: Minnesota Vikings 79.4, Detroit Lions 83.4, edge DET +4.0. Hover on desktop or tap on mobile to isolate one team at a time.
Hover or tap a team to focus that profile. Use Show Both to bring the overlay back.
THE COUNTERARGUMENT

Minnesota Vikings’ Best Argument

The Vikings can lean on their defense more than the Lions can. That creates a better floor when the offense stalls or field position turns against the team. The defense advantage is a real point in Minnesota's favor, but it does not outweigh the rest of the higher-rated team’s advantages. The problem for Minnesota is that Detroit counters with the more dependable offense and the steadier quarterback room.

COMPLETE COMPARISON

Where Each Team Has the Edge

PFM Team Score

MIN80.1
Minnesota Vikings 80.1
DET86.0
Detroit Lions 86.0
Clear Detroit Lions edge

Overall NFL Rank

MIN#14
Minnesota Vikings #14
DET#4
Detroit Lions #4
Detroit Lions ranks higher

QB Stability

MIN75.5
Minnesota Vikings 75.5
DET86.2
Detroit Lions 86.2
Major Detroit Lions edge

Roster Strength

MIN79.4
Minnesota Vikings 79.4
DET83.4
Detroit Lions 83.4
Clear Detroit Lions edge

Coaching Direction

MIN83.2
Minnesota Vikings 83.2
DET85.9
Detroit Lions 85.9
Clear Detroit Lions edge

Recent Performance

MIN89.5
Minnesota Vikings 89.5
DET80.0
Detroit Lions 80.0
Clear Minnesota Vikings edge

Offense

MIN69.6
Minnesota Vikings 69.6
DET89.3
Detroit Lions 89.3
Major Detroit Lions edge

Defense

MIN84.0
Minnesota Vikings 84.0
DET75.7
Detroit Lions 75.7
Clear Minnesota Vikings edge

Franchise Direction

MIN79.0
Minnesota Vikings 79.0
DET80.7
Detroit Lions 80.7
Slight Detroit Lions edge

Explosiveness

MIN78.4
Minnesota Vikings 78.4
DET86.8
Detroit Lions 86.8
Clear Detroit Lions edge

Conference Rank

MIN#7
Minnesota Vikings #7
DET#3
Detroit Lions #3
Detroit Lions ranks higher

Division Rank

MIN#4
Minnesota Vikings #4
DET#1
Detroit Lions #1
Detroit Lions ranks higher

Outlook

MINPlayoff ContenderDETSuper Bowl Contender
Stronger outlook: Detroit Lions
SCHEDULE CONTEXT

Which Team Has the Tougher Road?

Minnesota Vikings

Remaining schedule rank: #2

Toughest stretch: Buffalo Bills, Green Bay Packers, San Francisco 49ers

Strongest opponents: San Francisco 49ers, Detroit Lions, Chicago Bears

Next five difficulty: 83.5

View Minnesota Vikings Road Ahead

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 Ahead

Minnesota has the tougher Road Ahead at No. 2. The strongest opponents include San Francisco 49ers, the Detroit Lions, and Chicago Bears. Detroit also has the more favorable road, which adds to the more dependable offense and the steadier quarterback room.

View the complete all-32 Road Ahead

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.

See the complete PFM NFL Team Rankings and methodology.

PFM ratings updated
How PFM grades NFL teams