Aaron Donald knows his emotional play can inspire the Rams

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With tears in his eyes, Aaron Donald remained with the Lambeau Field band regretting a chance to escape him.

That’s the long -term picture of the Rams ’loss in the divisional round of the NFC playoffs to the Green Bay Packers last season.

“I just care,” Donald said this week when asked about his emotions that day. “That’s what I’m going through, I just care.”

Donald played that game with a rib injury that prevented the three -time NFL defensive player of the year from thwarting his opponents, in the same way he angered his rivals for more than seven seasons.

The 30-year-old Donald has regained his strength and is eager to return to Lambeau Field on Sunday when the Rams (7-3) face the Packers (8-3) in a major conference game.

Did last season’s heavy loss (32-18) motivate you to play again against the Packers?

“There are a lot of things that motivate me,” Donald said, “but you can say yes.”

Packers coach Matt LaFleur joked that the thought of an extra-motivated Donald made him cry.

“This guy is a complete destroyer in the game,” LaFleur said Thursday in a video conference.

Donald has six sacks this season for the Rams defense that came from a poor display in the 31-10 loss to the San Francisco 49ers last November. 15.

The 49ers opened the game with 18-play attacks and didn’t stop.

“To put it really simple and short, they played [un] I play more physically than we do – from an offensive standpoint and a defensive standpoint, ”Rams defensive coordinator Raheem Morris said.“ They were able to keep those drives playing old school, torture mentality, know you, three yards and a cloud of dust. “

The Packers feature quarterback Aaron Rodgers, current NFL MVP, and wide receiver Davante Adams. Running back Aaron Jones did not play in Sunday’s 34-31 loss to the Minnesota Vikings due to a knee injury. If Jones stays sideline, AJ Dillon will start again.

Donald said the Rams should establish consistency.

“That’s what this league is about, you have to be consistent,” Donald said. “You can’t have a dominant week and then give up a lot of points or a lot of yards in other weeks.”

Last season, Donald was part of a defense that ranked among the best in the NFL in several categories.

The Rams finished 10-6 and defeated the Seattle Seahawks in a wild card playoff game. But in the game, Donald sustained a rib injury.

In the NFC division round game against the Packers, he only played 40 of 75 defensive at-bat, but made a tackle.

“When you think about how much he persevered and struggled, he just described what a leader is, showing his desire to want to be with his teammates,” Rams coach Sean McVay said this week.

“And then it’s clear that the snap count is limited.”

As the final seconds hit the Lambeau Field clock to end the Rams season, Donald was filled with excitement.

“He wants to do everything for this team to try to help his teammates, so that together we can be successful,” McVay said.

“But it also represents that he’s working on some things. And I think it’s a combination of likely disappointment, of him not being able to do his best.”

Donald indicated that last season was no longer in question. He said he was “100% healthy” and energetic.

“No injury, no pain, no discomfort,” he said. “I feel good. So, we’re ready to leave. I’m ready to leave.

Donald said the Rams will approach Sunday’s game as a playoff game.

He knew that when he was excited his colleagues were watching him.

“It’s about winning,” he said. “We are all playing for the ultimate goal to win. We’re talking about it, I’ve done it, my goal is to be a world champion. That’s what I’m after. That is what we are after.

“And until we do, I’m trying to make a way to get back to a Super Bowl and have a chance to win one. So that’s what makes me happy when I do that. “

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