LOS ANGELES ā Aaron Donald is firmly in conversations about the top pass rushers in NFL history. The Los Angeles Rams' superstar defensive tackle knows that he is on another list that he would like to remove himself from ā great players who havenāt won a championship.
As the Rams prepare to host the San Francisco 49ers in Sundayās NFC championship game, Donaldās teammates and coaches are united in their resolve to get him off that list.
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āThis building wants to win for Aaron Donald to create more mystique to his legacy and what heās done,ā defensive coordinator Raheem Morris said. āI remember when I first got here and watched last yearās divisional playoff game loss at Green Bay. I looked into his eyes and felt that pain and hurt. My feet are easily in their place because of what it would mean to win a championship.ā
Much like going against opposing offensive linemen, Donald did not shy away from discussing the lack of a title this week when he said āI feel like I accomplished a lot in a short amount of time in this league. The only thing Iām lacking now is being a world champion.ā
When it comes to losses, last yearās playoff game and the Super Bowl defeat against the New England Patriots in 2019 have provided extra motivation for Donald in this yearās playoff run. He is trying to do is not make it solely about him.
āItās for the organization. Itās for guys like Whit (offensive tackle Andrew Whitworth) and (QB Matthew) Stafford that have been playing this game a little longer than me and havenāt experienced that either,ā Donald said. āWe have a lot of veteran guys that weāre trying to get that ultimate goal for. I know Iām giving it my all and trying to do everything I can in my power to do my part to help accomplish that goal. Knowing that those guys are riding with me means a lot.ā
Morris said Donald has been more vocal in meetings and practices this week, reiterating the stakes of Sundayās game to teammates. Cornerback Jalen Ramsey noted that Donald reiterated the keys to the game and took on more of a willingness to lead verbally.
Donald credited Von Miller for helping him become more of a vocal leader.
āI have always considered myself a leader, but more of a lead by example guy. One thing Von has been challenging me a lot more with is just him talking to me, being more vocal, talking to the guys, letting them hear my voice,ā Donald said.
Donald and the Rams will face their biggest challenge of the season in trying to end a six-game losing streak to the 49ers. Coincidentally, the Ramsā last victory over San Francisco was in 2018, the last time they advanced to the Super Bowl.
The 49ers and quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo have done a good job of containing Donald of late. In the last four games, they have held him to one sack, including none in the two matchups this season.
āI think they stick with a game plan. They find ways to win, and thatās the most important thing. Weāve just got to do our job,ā Donald said. āThis is a different type of football here thatās going on this week. This is one game away from the Super Bowl against an opponent that weāre both used to. We know what to expect. We just have to play four quarters. Weāve got to find a way to finish.
āObviously, theyāve beat us in ways. Iām not going to sit here and talk about it, but they did. This week, my mindset is thereās no way weāre going to lose this game. We have to play for quarters. We have to find a way to finish, and I know weāre going to do that.ā
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