Blake Cashman Earns Weekly All-Star Honors
The Vikings linebacker receives national recognition after a standout performance against Indianapolis.
Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Football
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Minnesota Vikings linebacker Blake Cashman has been named a weekly All-Star by FOX Sports. The honor follows the team's 16-10 victory over Indianapolis on Sunday.
Why it matters
Cashman has become a central figure in a Minnesota defense that currently allows just 1.1 points per possession. His play reflects the unit's recent dominance, which has seen the team allow only four offensive touchdowns over the past five-and-a-half games.
Cashman recorded 195 tackles, 6.5 sacks, and 13 quarterback hits during an 18-game stretch. Defensively, the Vikings limit opponents to 3.6 yards per attempt when rushing four or fewer players.
The players
Blake Cashman
He is a Minnesota Vikings linebacker who has recorded 195 tackles over his last 18 games.
Brian Flores
He is the Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator known for a scheme that prioritizes aggressive blitzing.
Minnesota Vikings
This is a professional football team based in Minneapolis that currently limits opponents to 1.1 points per possession.
The details
Cashman dominated Sunday's win with 12 tackles, four passes defended, three quarterback hits, and two sacks. The broader defensive success stems from Brian Flores' scheme, which uses blitzes to force offenses into overloaded protection and drops seven or eight defenders into coverage.
Timeline
Week 7 2025 marked the beginning of Cashman's 18-game performance stretch.
Sunday, October 25, 2026, the Vikings defeated Indianapolis 16-10.
Monday, October 26, 2026, ESPN released analysis of the Vikings defense.
Wednesday, October 28, 2026, is the scheduled announcement of the NFC Defensive Player of the Week.
Season Trajectory
The Minnesota defense is being measured against the historical standard of the 1985 Chicago Bears defensive unit. If they maintain this performance against Detroit, Buffalo, San Francisco, and Green Bay, they will be discussed as one of the greatest defensive units.
Cashman's two sacks and four passes defended against Indianapolis provide a significant boost to his IDP fantasy football value. Minnesota's defensive efficiency suggests continued low-scoring games in the immediate future.
The takeaway
The Vikings' defensive success is built on the tactical flexibility of dropping extra defenders into coverage while overloading pass protection. Fans should watch the upcoming schedule against Detroit and Buffalo to see if the unit maintains its elite statistical pace.
What happens next
The winner of the NFC Defensive Player of the Week will be announced on Wednesday, October 28, 2026.
Further reading
For more on the team's season, visit the Football section.
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Do you believe the Vikings' defensive performance this season will prove to be historically great?
