Despite the Misery in Detroit — a Good Blake Lynch Performance
Adam New
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When a game goes as devastatingly wrong as it did this past Sunday, it can be easy to overlook a performance like the one Blake Lynch had in Detroit.
With both starting linebackers missing through injury, it was the second-year pro that stepped up. Lynch has been quietly putting together a solid second year in Minnesota after seeing minimal action in his rookie season. In 2020, he played in only four games, with one start on Christmas Day against the New Orleans Saints. All of those games came late when he was signed off of the practice squad after Eric Kendricks’ season was cut short by injury.
He managed 12 tackles and a pass deflection in those four games during his rookie season. He didn’t particularly catch the eye but obviously showed enough to Mike Zimmer to make the 53-man roster this season. Lynch carved himself out a role on special teams, ensuring he has been active for every game this season.
His role on the defense has fluctuated. He started the season with a role on defense, which then disappeared with the return of Anthony Barr. Blake Lynch had one defensive snap in the first five games that Barr played, compared to 87 snaps in the games Barr didn’t play. The linebacker did manage 20 snaps in Week 12 when Barr was playing, and then, of course, in Week 13 with Barr and Kendricks both out, came Lynch’s big chance. He took it.
He played on every defensive snap (72) last Sunday, the first time he has done that in his short career to date. The standout plays were the two sacks, including the forced fumble and recovery. They were the first sacks of his career. He also totaled nine tackles including a tackle for loss and a QB hit. Coming from the practice squad to have a day like that in less than a year — is the type of thing you love to see.
Pro Football Focus gave Blake Lynch an overall grade of 76.6 for his performance against the Lions — the second-highest grade on defense and fifth-highest on the team. His overall PFF grade for the season is a noteworthy 71.8. His strengths are pass-rushing and coverage, where he is graded an excellent 85.2 for pass-rush and 74.3 for coverage. Run defense is his weakness where he grades at just 58.1 and is a clear area to improve to complete his game as a do-it-all linebacker.
Blake Lynch is a versatile linebacker who is developing nicely and looks set to be an important part of the team from now on. He looks like everything you hope for from a day-three draft pick — a fiery competitor who is strong in the tackle and reliable when called upon. Now, he has shown the ability to make big plays and play for extended periods during a game.
Eric Kendricks and Anthony Barr look set to return for this week’s game, while Lynch is on the injury report with a hip injury. Just how many opportunities there will be to build on his performance in Detroit remains to be seen. Fingers crossed he plays on Thursday Night. Missing the game following the best performance of your career to date is not ideal.
With Anthony Barr and Nick Vigil out of contract at the end of the season, Lynch will assuredly be eager to prove himself — at least capable enough to fill the third linebacker role.
With the Vikings season on the verge of coming off the rails, it will be the stories like the one of Blake Lynch and his rise in stature as an NFL player that will be needed to give us fans solace. As the season draws to an end and we look forward to the future, Lynch has been doing a good job of carving himself out a role in that future.
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