The Absence of Aaron

 It is often said that absence makes the heart grow fonder.  The absence of a healthy Aaron Donald against Green Bay, proved his greatness as much, or more, than his disruptive defense during the prior 17 games.

The few brave souls who predicted a Rams victory, relied on the Rams number one defense slowing down the Packer offense and generating a turnover, coupled with the running of Cam Akers.  Both the legion of Packer backers, and the few Ram ramblers, agreed that the erratic Goff was the weak link.  Further many believed Green Bay would load up the box to force the game into Goff's thumb impaired hand.

Everyone was wrong.  Akers had a decent day averaging 5 yard per carry on 18 attempts, with a touch down and a two point conversion.  Goff was excellent completing 22 of 29 passes with a TD and no turnovers.  The scant 18 points was as much due to the Packer edge in  time of possession, as any failings on his part.

The Packers offense dominated the game both on the ground and through the air.  The Rams possessions were limited.  The absence of their superman converted the top defense to middle of the pack at best.  Donald disrupts run plays by drawing double teams, and by skirting into the backfield to stop a play before it starts.

In the passing game he is even more dominant.  Drawing double and triple teams he opened the path for Leonard Floyd, Morgan Fox and others to have career years.  Even fighting through double teams he had double digit sacks and lead the league in quarterback hurries.  The secondary benefited in three ways.  With a successful pass rush from the front four, seven could drop back into coverage.  With quarterbacks having less time to throw, corners faced fewer double moves and did not have to maintain coverage for long.  Finally, harried QBs throw errant passes allowing grateful corners and safeties to pick them off.

Without a heathy Donald, Packer runners tore through the center of the Rams.  Rogers had time to read a book.  Darius Williams was victim of a double move for a long reception.  Lazard had time to get behind the Rams secondary for the 58 yard touch down that sealed the game.