Penei Sewell has been a key figure for the Detroit Lions since being drafted seventh overall in the 2021 NFL Draft. He’s seen the team’s ups and downs through their rebuild under general manager Brad Holmes and head coach Dan Campbell, beginning with a 3-13-1 record in his rookie season.
Now, the Lions are fresh off consecutive 12-win seasons and sit at the top of the NFC North as the No. 1 seed. However, things aren’t entirely smooth. In Sunday’s 48-42 loss to the Bills, the Lions faced significant injuries to key players: Alim McNeill (ACL) and Khalil Dorsey (ankle) are out for the season, Carlton Davis III is indefinitely sidelined with a fractured jaw, and David Montgomery (MCL) will miss the rest of the regular season, with his playoff availability uncertain.
These injuries have raised concerns among fans, with some questioning the team’s Super Bowl chances. Sewell, however, is not bothered by the negativity. Responding to critics of the Lions’ prospects, he delivered a direct message: now is the time to jump off the bandwagon.
“The true fans are gonna stick with us no matter what, man. That’s why I don’t really care about the talk,” Sewell told MLive. “Because the real ones know we’ll find a way in the end. And if you keep doubting, then just hop off. You’ll see what happens.”
As the Lions prepare for their next game — a Sunday afternoon clash with their division rival Chicago Bears — they rely on a proven strength: bouncing back after a loss. Since their rough 1-6 start in 2022, the Lions haven’t suffered consecutive defeats.
Beyond the Bears, two crucial matchups remain against the 49ers and Vikings, games that will be vital as Detroit looks to maintain the No. 1 seed. The Lions are currently tied with the Eagles and Vikings at 12-2 for the best record in the NFC. They hold a tiebreaker over the Eagles based on conference win percentage, making their final three games even more crucial.
The mindset Sewell and the Lions carry into Sunday comes from a directive set by Dan Campbell, who is focused on keeping his team grounded as the season winds down.
“This is where we are, this is how we’re seen right now, and look, no one writes our story,” Campbell told reporters Wednesday. “We’re the ones who write our own story, so we have the pen, and there’s a lot of football left. We’re actually looking forward to this, to be honest. So, you get up, you shake it off, and you get back to the basics. Go back to work. That’s the only way to improve and fix the issues that cost us.
“Bottom line is we lost a game. That’s the most important thing — we lost a game, and here’s why we lost it. So, let’s clean those things up and take it to Chicago and see what happens.”
