Twentyman’s Mailbag: How Will Lions Handle Minnesota’s Blitz-Heavy Defense?
Detroit knows what’s coming Sunday — and it’s a lot of blitz.
Tim Twentyman answers fan questions weekly on X @ttwentyman. This week: “It’s going to be a full team effort this week against a Minnesota defense that sends the blitz about 70 percent of the time this year, far and away the most in the NFL (Washington is next at 40 percent).”
To Twentyman, the game is just as much about what Jahmyr Gibbs does WITHOUT the ball as with it. Gibbs must pick up blitzing linebackers Blake Cashman (4.5 sacks) and Andrew Van Ginkel (4.0). He’s improved there this year. Sione Vaki will be tasked too.
Minnesota’s blitz forces RBs to block free rushers, leaving less time for chips on edge. That leaves one-on-ones outside — Dallas Turner leads Vikings with 36 pressures this season (most on team), Van Ginkel 19, Cashman 16. RT Blake Miller hasn’t allowed a sack yet but leads team with 12 pressures allowed — big matchup.
Offensively, Lions know Goff leads NFL with 128.8 passer rating when blitzed (75% completion). He and C Graham Glasgow must ID origin of blitz — not easy vs Flores — then get ball to skill weapons vs man.
Other mailbag notes: Keith Abney II moved to safety in camp, smart/rookie, fits role even when Kerby Joseph returns (21-day window opened Wednesday). Brad Holmes was in on Joey Porter Jr. talks before Dallas won bidding war — could still add CB or LB speed.
Mabel Joshua is the founder and lead editor of CelebrityTale.com with 4+ years covering celebrity news, entertainment trends and pop culture. She curates breaking stories with verified sources, focusing on real-time updates from Hollywood, music and lifestyle. When not reporting, she tracks emerging talents and viral moments across social platforms.
