“We’d Be Fools Not to Prepare for a Guy…”: Matt LaFleur Triggers a Warning Ahead of Rams Battle

Monday night football of game week 15 will see two giants of the game locking horns as they look to give their fans a consolation win towards the end of the season. The two teams were powerhouses last season and were nowhere close to the position they are in today. However, this season has been forgettable for both teams that dominated last year. As Coach Matt LaFleur prepares his squad for the Rams’ visit to Wisconsin, he addresses a concern the team has with one of the opponent players. 

The Rams’ defensive tackle, Aaron Donald, missed the Rams’ last game due to an ankle injury. He picked up this injury during their game against the Kansas City Chiefs. Donald even missed the Thursday practice for the Rams.

Matt LaFleur knows better than to take a chance

As the team coaches took to the podium to address the media rolling into the weekend, coach LaFleur addressed the absence of Aaron Donald from his opponent’s camp. The Packers’ coach was aware of the absence of the star defenseman from the Rams’ roster for the game as well as from practice on Thursday.

Read More: In Three Unique Words, Matt LaFleur Shuts Questions On Aaron Rodgers’ Availability Next Season

However, LaFleur didn’t see this as reason enough to prepare for the game as if Donald was not going to see the field. LaFleur is experienced enough to never count out opposition players based on what the press conferences go about like.

He has been around enough to know that some games can be won, even before the teams step on the field. He doesn’t want to fall into the trap of being complacent after Aaron Donald’s update as he said, “Maybe he does, maybe he doesn’t. We’d be fools not to prepare for a guy like that. He is a guy that absolutely 100% impacts the game.” He clearly acknowledges the greatness Donald can possess on the field and he doesn’t want to snooze on him now and scram for solutions when he’s already on the field.

Experience matters

This approach has come to LaFleur’s aid previously too as Justin Fields was tipped to miss their last game. The Bears’ QB was also supposed to be injured and miss the contest with the Packers. However, the QB took to the field. He had a pass completion of 80% completing 20 of his 25 attempted throws. Though he was intercepted twice, he caused enough trouble to the Greenbay defense.

LaFleur didn’t fall prey to the news of him being unavailable for the game and had prepared accordingly. Thanks to his preparation for the game, the Packers were able to come out on top. He will take the same approach with Aaron Donald.

Watch this story: Greenbay Packers coach Matt LaFleur doesn’t want to annoy Aaron Rodgers

The Packers require a lot of things to go their way for postseason hopes. However, with Aaron Rodgers as their QB and their offense putting on a show lately, anything is possible. They will look to dominate the Rams with or without the mighty defenseman’s presence.