Packers would be “fools” not to prepare for Aaron Donald
By Paul Bretl
Although there was uncertainty initially surrounding Justin Fields’ status against the Packers prior to the bye week, Matt LaFleur was quite candid in saying that Green Bay would be preparing for him to start. The Packers will now once again take the same approach this week with Aaron Donald’s availability up in the air with an ankle injury.
Donald suffered an ankle injury against Kansas City that held him out of the Rams’ most recent matchup with Las Vegas. Donald did not participate at Thursday’s practice.
"“Maybe he does, maybe he doesn’t (play),” said LaFleur on Thursday via Packers.com. “We’d be fools not to prepare for a guy like that. He is a guy that absolutely 100% impacts the game.”"
Donald’s presence alone can alter a game plan with his ability to affect both the running and passing games while not only controlling but dominating the line of scrimmage. He currently ranks ninth in pressures among all interior defensive linemen this season with 40 — although he has played just 11 games — and ranks first in pass rush win rate per PFF, and he is tied for third in run stops as well.
Despite the overall issues that the Rams have faced this season, led by Donald, their run defense has still been extremely stout. Los Angeles is allowing just 4.0 yards per carry, which currently ranks fourth, and they rank fifth in DVOA against the run as well.
"“(He’s a) generational player, first ballot Hall of Famer, one of the best to ever play the game,” added LaFleur. “You always have to have a plan for him. How much he plays, or if he doesn’t play, then you have to have a contingency plan for if he’s not in there. Certainly, the challenge in going up against him over the last couple of years is he definitely takes some plays you’d like to have in the game plan and wipes them out because you can’t protect or at the point of attack in some of the runs, he’s that big of a problem. He’s a monster to prepare for.”"
The Green Bay Packers offense has been finding its groove over the last month, scoring at least 28 points in three of their last four games. Without question, the play of Christian Watson has been a big reason why, but as offensive coordinator Adam Stenavich told reporters recently, that success on offense begins with the run game.
During those three games against Dallas, Philadelphia, and Chicago, where Green Bay has averaged 30.6 points per game, Aaron Jones and AJ Dillon have combined for over 400 rushing yards while averaging greater than 5.0 yards per carry. Not coincidentally, the Packers offensive line has been playing its best as well during this stretch and been relatively healthy.
The combination of the Packers’ run game, along with Watson’s big play ability, has really stressed opposing defenses. Teams simply can’t take away the big passing play and the run at the same time.
However, while the passing game has been a key element as of late for Green Bay, and it should get another big boost with the return of Romeo Doubs, at various points throughout the season when the Packers have had to lean heavily on moving the ball through the air and been one-dimensional, they’ve really struggled. The most recent example of this came against Tennessee, who was able to keep the Green Bay run game in check. Needing to move the ball through the air that final quarter, the Packers were unable to do so with any regularity.
So if Donald is able to play, and the Packers struggle to pick up consistent yards via the run game just as many Rams’ opponents have, has the passing game progressed enough over the last month for them to lean on it heavily?
While the Los Angeles’ run defense has been very good, this defense has been susceptible against the pass. This is a Rams’ secondary that ranks 23rd in pass DVOA and is allowing 6.9 yards per attempt this season, and that ranks 22nd.
Without Donald against the Raiders, Las Vegas rushed for 165 yards at 5.2 yards per carry. It goes without saying, but Donald’s status for Monday Night’s game will have a major impact either way.