After finishing the last season with a 5-12 record, the Los Angeles Rams showed up at Lumen Field and shocked the Seattle Seahawks in Week 1. The LA team split the first position in the NFC West after defeating the Seahawks 30-13.
However, Aaron Donald of the Rams, who has previously been accused of late hits and cheap shots, is currently in the news for his unlawful act. The league has taken the initiative this time by imposing a severe fine that will cost Donald a sizable sum of money.
Rams’ Aaron Donald pays the price with $16,391 fine for roughing penalty
Tom Pelissero reports that the NFL penalized the Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle $16,391 for striking Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith in an unsportsmanlike manner. Smith was struck by the defensive lineman with 13:04 left in the second quarter.
Since joining the Los Angeles Rams, Donald has solidified his reputation as one of the league’s top defensive tackles and pass rushers by becoming the league’s finest defensive lineman. Although his ability to exert as much pressure from the defensive tackle position is what makes him excellent, he received fines for unnecessary roughness and unsportsmanlike behavior on numerous occasions throughout the regular season.
In addition, Seahawks receiver DK Metcalf was twice fined $10,927 for his cheap shot on Ahkello Witherspoon and unsportsmanlike behavior. Witherspoon was so seriously injured by Metcalf’s blindside hit that he had to leave the game.
Rams’ dominant defense secures season opener victory vs. Seahawks
The second-most successful team in the season’s first weekend, behind the Dallas Cowboys’ 40-0 victory against the New York Giants, was the Los Angeles Rams, who stunned the Seattle Seahawks. The team’s defense played a major role in their resounding victory.
Surprisingly, the Rams’ defense proved too strong to overcome. One of the stronger second-half defensive performances came from their dominance against the Seahawks. Donald, a three-time defensive player of the year, contributed to the game with four tackles and a half-sack.
On third downs, the Rams were at their finest and put the Seahawks’ lead in grave danger. They scored on 11 of 17 opportunities, which resulted in lengthy drives and a significant advantage in time of possession.
After the game, Derion Kendrick of the Rams stated that their major goal was to play well and win the game, and he hinted at a fantastic season in the future.
“We just gotta keep putting it together. Our biggest thing for us is just going out there and putting our best on display. We’re a bunch of no-names, like everybody else is saying. We’re gonna show them what we got.”
Do you think the Los Angeles team can carry on this level of play and end up being a Super Bowl contender this season? Tell us what you think in the comments.
