Blake Cashman wins NFC defensive player award after Vikings beat Colts
The Minnesota linebacker recorded 12 tackles, two sacks and four passes defended in a 16-10 win, earning his second career weekly NFL honor.
Minnesota Vikings linebacker Blake Cashman was named the NFC Defensive Player of the Week on Wednesday, October 28, for his performance in a 16-10 home win over the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday, October 25. His tackles, pass defense and pressure on the quarterback helped Minnesota protect a six-point margin, according to the Vikings and an SB Nation report republished by Yahoo Sports.
Cashman's numbers against Indianapolis
Cashman made 12 tackles, defended four passes, hit the quarterback three times and recorded two sacks against Indianapolis. SB Nation reported that eight of his tackles were solo stops and two were tackles for loss. The two sacks brought his season total to 4.5, tying the single-season high he set in 2024, according to the Vikings.
The combination was unusual even by the standards of a weekly award. SB Nation reported that no player since at least 1982, when the NFL began recording sacks, had combined at least 12 tackles, two sacks and four passes defended in one game. The Vikings identified Cashman as the third player in the past 30 years with at least two sacks and four passes defended, after Robert Jones in 1998 and Alex Brown in 2005.
Flores describes Cashman's role in the Vikings defense
Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores said Cashman's contribution extended beyond the recorded statistics. The team identifies him as its Green Dot linebacker, a role that includes relaying defensive calls. Flores praised his work rushing the passer and in coverage, along with his communication when the defense needs to adjust before or during a play.
‘He's certainly bailed me out a few times as far as either not getting the call in quickly enough and he makes the call or changing a call mid-play based on changing the front,’ Flores told the Vikings. That assessment gives a fuller picture of why Cashman's performance mattered: the linebacker was involved in stopping plays, contesting passes and directing teammates against the Colts.
This is Cashman's second career Player of the Week award. He won the AFC defensive honor in Week 6 of the 2023 season while with Houston, when he recorded 15 tackles and defended two passes, according to the Vikings. His latest honor was Minnesota's fifth weekly NFL award in a five-game span, reflecting recognition across multiple positions during the team's undefeated start.
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Sources and context
- Blake Cashman Named NFC Defensive Player of the WeekSB Nation, republished by Yahoo Sports
- Blake Cashman Named NFC Defensive Player of the Week for Week 7Minnesota Vikings
AI-assisted article checked against the listed sources. NewsJaws did not conduct interviews or attend the reported events.