Stats show Cowboys' interior OL is no match for Aaron Donald
Cameron DaSilva
[
theramswire.usatoday.com]
Despite finishing in the middle of the pack in team sacks this season, the Los Angeles Rams generated pressure at a higher rate than any other team in the NFL. That’s largely thanks to Aaron Donald and his sheer dominance on the interior, leading all players in sacks, pressures, quarterback hits and tackles for loss.
If not for Donald, the Rams likely wouldn’t have finished 13-3 with a first-round bye and on Saturday night, he’ll need to come up big against the NFL’s leading rusher in Ezekiel Elliott and quarterback Dak Prescott. Fortunately for L.A., he has a very favorable matchup on the inside.
The Cowboys have really struggled to protect Prescott from interior pressure, ranking toward the bottom of the league in that department. On the flip side, Donald is at the top of the NFL in pressures, disruptions, time to sack and total sacks.
According to these numbers from Next Gen Stats and Pro Football Focus, Dallas’ interior O-line is no match for Donald.
Whether it’s Connor Williams or Xavier Su’a-Filo starting at left guard, the Rams would be wise to keep Donald at right defensive tackle. Dallas has an elite guard in Zack Martin on the right side, so there’s little reason for the Rams to subject Donald to facing him regularly.
Sure, he’ll be doubled by Tyron Smith and Joe Looney on several occasions, but if given a one-on-one matchup with Williams or Su’a-Filo, you can bet Donald is going to win more often than not.
This could be the deciding factor in the game.
