Even triple-teamed Aaron Donald elevates LA Rams pass rush

How does LA Rams All-Pro Donald elevate the pass rush? He takes on three blockers, which allows his teammates to bring down QB

Yes, the LA Rams recorded six quarterback sacks against Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson. But among those statistics at the end of the game, no mention was made of All-Pro defensive lineman Aaron Donald. The Rams recorded three sacks from OLB Leonard Floyd, two sacks from rookie OLB Terrell Lewis, and one sack from defensive lineman Michael Brockers.

Six sacks. Six glorious sacks against one of the most dangerous quarterbacks in the NFL. And at the end of the day, Aaron Donald did not record a single sack. In fact, he did not even earn a single tackle.  But at no time was the game not directly and favorably impacted by the presence of Aaron Donald on the football field.

Aaron Donald effect

The LA Rams certainly have something to offer NFL Free Agents that few teams have. Playing next to DL Aaron Donald is an immediate upgrade in their stats. Edge rusher Leonard Floyd’s career-high total for quarterback sacks in seven. He’s already at that mark in just nine games for the Rams.  Former LA Rams OLB Dante Fowler Jr., who jumped to 11.5 sacks when playing alongside Aaron Donald, has plummeted to just two sacks at season’s midpoint.

So how does that work? Well, nobody breaks down Aaron Donald’s ferocity of play like NFL.com’s analyst Bryan Baldinger. And he does justice to this play with the LA Rams on defense where he uses video footage to show how Donald attracts a triple-team block from center Kyle Fuller, offensive guard Damien Lewis, and offensive tackle Brandon Shell.  That’s three blockers against one defender. So what about Donald’s teammates?

Don’t discount Donald’s teammates

So glad you asked. The first defender to apply pressure is ILB Micah Kiser, who defeats a block by Seahawks fullback Nick Bellore forcing Wilson to step up in the pocket. That allows Leonard Floyd to come crashing in to record the sack.  Curiously, Micah Kiser was one step away from getting a half-sack. And there was Aaron Donald, just two steps away from bringing down Wilson against a triple team.

Oftentimes, viewers ask how Donald can attract so much attention, and his teammates continue to struggle at getting to the quarterback. That was certainly not the case in the game against the Seattle Seahawks. The Rams defense made plays all around Donald, and it showed with an almost Herculean defensive stand against the top NFL offense. Though you won’t find Donald in the statistics, anyone who watched the game saw his impact on every play.