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Detroit Lions' score dipped after Terrion Arnold was released, which slightly lowered the Lions' roster, defense, and young-talent grades.
Score change recorded Jun 30, 2026The offense runs through Jahmyr Gibbs and the offensive line, which lets Jared Goff work from play action instead of living in obvious passing downs. Dan Campbell has a team that can dictate pace when the protection holds. The defense still trails the offense, and the line transition removes some of the depth that made Detroit so hard to wear down.
See how the PFM category ratings shape Detroit.
Detroit's identity starts with a physical run and play-action offense built around Jahmyr Gibbs and Jared Goff working from a clean pocket.
The defense needs to keep improving. More consistent stops are needed if the Lions want to make a deep run.
Goff’s timing from a clean pocket works with Detroit’s physical run game and supports the 8th-ranked quarterback grade. Interior pressure changes the equation because it takes away the play-action rhythm that makes this offense hard to defend.
The defense ranks 14th. An aggressive front still has to create more dependable stops. Without more stops, the offense will keep being asked to answer possession after possession.
Jahmyr Gibbs and the offensive line give Detroit a real matchup problem. The offense ranks 2nd and is the part opponents have to take away first.
The Lions win by protecting Goff, creating explosive runs for Gibbs and forcing the opponent into a pass-heavy comeback. Detroit's offensive line has to stay involved.
The Lions are most exposed in interior pressure or injury-heavy games that take away the run game and force Goff off his spot. Those games put a spotlight on offensive-line transition and replacing some of the backfield depth that supported the old formula.
Detroit ranks No. 28 in schedule difficulty, with an average opponent PFM Score of 78.0 and 2 games against current top-10 teams. The toughest three-game run comes in Weeks 10, 11, 12 against New England Patriots, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Chicago Bears; the next 5 opponents average 75.2.
Toughest remaining opponent: 
New England Patriots at 85.9 PFM.
These are the two closest on-field builds in the PFM ratings. The similarities matter, but so do the differences.
The Packers are the closest match because both teams put the quarterback at the center of the week-to-week answer. The Lions lean on a physical run and play-action offense, while the Packers lean on a wide-zone and play-action offense. The Lions have more help across the roster.
The 49ers are another close match because both teams trust the quarterback to set the weekly ceiling. The Lions get there through a physical run and play-action offense; the 49ers are built around a wide-zone and play-action offense. The Lions have more big-play punch.
Can OC Drew Petzing get the Lions' offense back on track? Detroit will lean more heavily on Jahmyr Gibbs but still have questions on the offensive line.
Detroit enters as the team to catch in the NFC North. A physical run and play-action plan gives the team its clearest edge. Green Bay is the most complete NFC North obstacle, with Chicago also closing the gap.
Detroit is still chasing its first Super Bowl appearance.
