ABSOLUTE MADNESS: Penei Sewell's Historic Night Matches Career
Sewell’s dominant performance contributed significantly to the Lions’ offensive success.
TL;DR Detroit Lions right tackle Penei Sewell delivered a historic performance in Week 3 against the Baltimore Ravens. Earning the highest single-game run-blocking grade (99.3) in Pro Football Focus (PFF) grading history. A record previously held by Vikings FB Tony Richardson. Ironically, Richardson accomplished his feat against the Detroit Lions.
Sewell’s Accomplishment Have Three Distinct Contexts
All-Position Record:
Penei Sewell’s 99.3 run-blocking grade is the highest ever recorded by PFF for any position.
Offensive Line Benchmark:
Among offensive linemen with at least 10 run-blocking snaps in a single game, Sewell’s 99.3 stands alone at the top. He logged 37 run-blocking snaps on Monday night, making the feat even more impressive due to the volume and consistency.
Sewell also set the all-time overall PFF grade in this game for offensive linemen.
Hammer Down!
Sewell’s dominant performance contributed significantly to the Lions’ offensive success. Especially in run blocking where David Montgomery put the hammer down 12 times for 151 yards (12.58 Yds P/A) and two (2) rushing touchdowns.
Jahmyr Gibbs pitched in 67 yards on 22 attempts, largely had difficulty finding open rushing lanes, but still finished with two (2) rushing touchdowns. The dynamic duo rumbled to the tune of 218 yards on 34 carries and 4 rushing TDs combined for the night.
Sewell’s performance was highlighted by a key block on Roquan Smith during David Montgomery’s 72-yard run.
Sewell’s Historic Week 3 Performance vs. Ravens
Overall Grade Milestone:
Penei Sewell earned a staggering 98.7 overall PFF grade in the Lions’ Week 3 win over the Ravens—setting a new benchmark for offensive linemen. This eclipsed Andrew Whitworth’s previous record of 98.4, set in Week 15 of the 2010 season.
While Whitworth’s 2010 performance featured a higher pass-blocking grade, Sewell’s overwhelming run-blocking impact gave him the edge in overall grading. His ability to dominate in the trenches was the decisive factor in setting the new all-time mark.
Run-Blocking Dominance:
Sewell received positive grades on 15 of his 37 run-blocking snaps, showcasing elite consistency and impact. Notably, five of those blocks earned a +1 PFF grade, the highest individual mark awarded for a single play.
37 Is Greater Than 12: Context Behind the Record
Sewell’s run-blocking grade of 99.3 didn’t just break records—it redefined them. He surpassed Tony Richardson’s previous high of 99.1 from 2007, and did so with a significantly larger sample size: 37 snaps compared to Richardson’s 12. The volume and sustained excellence make Sewell’s achievement even more remarkable.
Week 3 Stat Card: Sewell vs. the Field
15 positively graded run-blocking plays — most among all offensive tackles in Week 3
5 blocks graded +1 — more than any other tackle that week
99.3 run-blocking grade — highest ever recorded by PFF
Sewell’s Run-Blocking Legacy
This marks the third time Sewell has held the highest run-blocking grade ever recorded by PFF. Sewell’s Week 3 performance not only reset the standard—it cemented his legacy as one of the most dominant run-blockers in modern NFL history.
Sewell’s Top PFF Grades
2025 vs. Ravens (Week 3) — 99.3 (Rank: 1st all-time)
2023 vs. Buccaneers (Divisional Playoff) — 97.5 (Rank: 3rd all-time)
2022 vs. Packers (Week 12) — 96.6 (Rank: 10th all-time)
Rock’s Final Take
The Detroit Lions definitely made the right move by extending Sewell when they did. One of the core pieces to this team and the heart beat of the offensive line for the foreseeable future. Call it a coincidence, but since Tate Ratledge came to town Sewell is on a new mission. He’s a bigtime player with bigtime skills and it showed on Monday night that his mindset after a rough week 1 outing has turned to dominating at every level.
#Onepride
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