49ers news: The key to beating each NFC West team in 2021
By Peter Panacy
49ers vs. Rams (Weeks 10 and 18): Make Aaron Donald a minimal factor
Easier said than done, right?
Yet, for whatever reasons, perennial All-Pro defensive tackle Aaron Donald hasn’t been the all-imposing difference-maker over the last two seasons against the Niners. True, Donald has 12.5 sacks against San Francisco over 13 games played, which is the second most against any team. But the 49ers have done a pretty good job neutralizing Donald since 2019.
In the four games these two teams have played over the last two years, Donald has a combined 4.5 sacks, which is a good amount by most standards. But considering Donald’s four-sack game in a Rams 39-10 blowout of the Niners back in 2018, it’s probably safe to say San Francisco would be willing to settle for a mere one- or two-sack effort from a regular Defensive Player of the Year contender.
For what it’s worth, the 49ers are 4-0 over Donald and the Rams the last two years, a fact wide receiver Deebo Samuel didn’t hesitate to point out after the Niners swept the season series in 2020.
If San Francisco wants to continue this streak, Donald can’t be afforded the opportunity to take over the game from a defensive vantage point.
Dangerous, as he’s perfectly capable of doing so at any moment.