At the moment, there might not be a hotter NFL team than the Detroit Lions. Since early November, the Lions have won five of six games. And after a 1-6 start, Dan Campbell’s now-6-7 bunch is within comfortable striking distance of the NFC playoffs. If they make it to mid-January, it’s starting to seem like they might be the most dangerous team in the field.
On Sunday, the scorching hot Lions appeared to have little issue handling the rival Minnesota Vikings in a big home 34-23 win. But when Minnesota could’ve threatened on a key Lions’ third down at the end of the fourth quarter, Campbell and OC Ben Johnson showed they weren’t messing around.
To salt this win away, Detroit called a pass play to the listed 335-pound Penei Sewell on a third-and-seven. Yes, seriously:
No. 58 reports as an eligible receiver. No. 58 is an eligible receiver.@peneisewell58 #ProBowlVote pic.twitter.com/DiihvbkkeS
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) December 11, 2022
Oh man, no words can do that kind of football poetry justice.
Instead of throwing to someone paid to regularly catch passes like Amon-Ra St. Brown — someone who the Vikings certainly keyed in on — they threw to Sewell, who showed more grace with the ball in his hands than you’d think for someone of his size. Maybe that athleticism was why Sewell was a top-10 pick.
Thanks to Sewell’s nine-yard catch on a third down, the Lions could take another vital minute and a half off the clock before tacking on a late field goal to make the margin 11 points. After the game, Campbell and Detroit’s coaching staff, by proxy, was clearly impressed with Sewell’s unique athletic ability:
Dan Campbell on Penei Sewell: He could be a Hall of Fame tight end if he wanted to lose some weight
— Dave Birkett (@davebirkett) December 11, 2022
Maybe that athleticism was why Sewell was a top-10 pick in the NFL Draft.
To really emphasize the weight of this play (pun not intended): This was a massive play for Detroit’s eventual victory (pun also not intended, I assure you) all around. With incredible play-call moments like this in their back pocket, it’s obvious Campbell’s bunch is locked in.
NFL fans loved the Lions' gutsy call to throw to the 335-pound Sewell on a key third down
TJ Hockenson really had to sit on the opposing sideline as Penei Sewell played TE for the Detroit Lions
— Chris Perfett (@chrisperfett) December 11, 2022
I know Justin Jefferson and George Pickens were good, but Penei Sewell deserves the ESPY for catch of the year.
— Andrew Perloff (@andrewperloff) December 11, 2022
That throw to Penei Sewell was the most outta pocket designed OL target I’ve ever seen.
But hey, throw it to your best athlete right
— Taylor Kyles (@tkyles39) December 11, 2022
OH MY GOD. Penei Sewell — yes, Penei Sewell — with a first-down catch.
— Colton Pouncy (@colton_pouncy) December 11, 2022
Penei Sewell just caught a third-down pass to move the sticks, in case you were wondering just how well things are going for Detroit
— kyle meinke (@kmeinke) December 11, 2022
.@NFL make Penei Sewell NFC Offensive Player of the Week.
— Pride of Detroit (@PrideOfDetroit) December 11, 2022
Goff throws to Penei Sewell for 1st down. Ben Johnson for president. #MINvsDET
— Tim Twentyman (@ttwentyman) December 11, 2022
Lions gurd Penei Sewell made a catch(!) and OC Ben Johnson is officially a wizard among muggles.
— Brad Galli (@BradGalli) December 11, 2022
Hahahaha the Lions just threw the ball to right tackle Penei Sewell to essentially end the game. Dan Campbell kinda rules.
— Will Ragatz (@WillRagatz) December 11, 2022
Dan Campbell turning Penei Sewell into the best tight end in the 2021 draft class?
— Kevin Clark (@bykevinclark) December 11, 2022
PENEI SEWELL FIRST DOWN LOL
WHAT THE HECK
— Tony Dombrowski (@tonydombrowski) December 11, 2022
Penei Sewell for offensive player of the week
— Mike Payton (@POD_Payton) December 11, 2022
Penei Sewell goes in motion across the formation, runs a route in the flat, catches it and converts.
Lmaoooooooo. That was incredible.
— Sosa Kremenjas (@QBsMVP) December 11, 2022
the bengals could have simply drafted WR penei sewell over ja'marr chase
— Denny Carter (@CDCarter13) December 11, 2022
Give Ben Johnson every award for that Penei Sewell play
— Gregg Rosenthal (@greggrosenthal) December 11, 2022
