Packers: Three-step plan to defeating Rams in divisional round

1. Slow down Aaron Donald

I know, I know, I make it sound so easy. Aaron Donald is the best defensive player in the league by a mile and it will take a monumental effort by the Packers’ offensive line to slow him down.

However, if there’s a positive entering the game, it’s that the interior of Green Bay’s offensive line has been rock-solid all season long. Center Corey Linsley is having a career-year and deservedly earned first-team All-Pro honors. Guard Elgton Jenkins isn’t far behind and made the Pro Bowl in his second season.

Matt LaFleur will likely plan to double-team Donald as often as possible. The Rams may try to match him up against Lucas Patrick. But don’t underestimate Patrick, who ranked sixth among guards in pass block win rate this season, according to ESPN.

Donald is going to make plays in this game. He’s too talented to not make an impact. What the offense needs to do is stop Donald dominating the game.

Part of that is on the offensive line. Some is on Aaron Rodgers getting the ball out quickly. Another potential solution is an idea by Lombardi Ave’s Jesse Fry that I found interesting. Fry wrote that with Donald potentially not at 100 percent, the Packers should get AJ Dillon on the field and run at Donald.

It’s an interesting thought. Maybe it won’t work, but if Donald is still dealing with a ribs injury, having to consistently stop Dillon would be no easy task.

No matter how LaFleur game plans for this matchup, Donald needs to be a focus.