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Los Angeles Rams' Aaron Donald Warranting 'Hall of Fame' Focus of Seattle Seahawks QB Geno Smith

“Hall of Fame player, one of the best players ever at his position, and still playing at a high level. Just knowing where he is and then all of their blitz packages," Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith said of Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald.

The Seattle Seahawks are no strangers to the Los Angeles Rams as NFC West foes, and Geno Smith knows what to expect when the team heads down to SoFi Stadium.

Since becoming the Seahawks' starting quarterback at the beginning of 2022, Smith is 2-1 against the Rams. In his two wins, Donald was injured. In the loss back in Week 1, Donald was active and busy. 

“Hall of Fame player, one of the best players ever at his position, and still playing at a high level. Just knowing where he is and then all of their blitz packages," Smith said. "The schematic stuff that they’re great at, they’ve always got some different wrinkles in their defense. Just being able to make adjustments on the sideline or at halftime, and then just going out there and playing our game.”

Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald (99) during the fourth quarter against the Arizona Cardinals at SoFi Stadium.

Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald (99) during the fourth quarter against the Arizona Cardinals at SoFi Stadium.

Donald, 32, has 37 tackles and 5.5 sacks so far this season. One of those tackles came at the expense of Smith in Week 1, where Donald was fined $16,391 for the hit. It's safe to say that Smith hasn't forgotten that hit.

If Smith and the Seahawks can execute a game plan that limits Donald as much as possible, they can even the season series and move one step closer towards clinching a spot in the postseason in a crowded NFC playoff race.

The Seahawks and Rams are set to face off on Sunday afternoon at SoFi Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:25 p.m. PT and can be watched on CBS.