When the Rams needed a play most, Aaron Donald came through and put the team on his back. In a two-play sequence during the third quarter of Sunday’s game, Donald thwarted two 49ers possessions with game-changing plays that led to points for the Rams.
The first was a forced fumble on a tackle behind the line of scrimmage, knocking the ball out of Raheem Mostert’s hands before it was scooped up by Troy Hill and returned for a touchdown. It was the best play in a really sloppy game, but in Mostert’s mind, it was more of a lucky play than a good one.
After the 49ers’ win, he acknowledged that Donald is a great player, but simultaneously said Donald got “really lucky” on that forced fumble. Here’s what Mostert said, via Greg Beacham of the Associated Press.
Niners RB Raheem Mostert on his fumble forced by Aaron Donald: "No. 99 is a really good player, and he got really lucky on that play. He got really fortunate and put his team in a good position."
— Greg Beacham (@gregbeacham) November 30, 2020
Let’s take a look at the take to determine whether Mostert is right in his assertion that Donald simply got lucky.
You probably know the answer already.
AARON DONALD IS WILDIN' RIGHT NOW 😤 @AaronDonald97 @RamsNFL
📺 #SFvsLAR on FOX pic.twitter.com/IVdr9u0UgR
— The Checkdown (@thecheckdown) November 29, 2020
It takes more than luck to slip into the backfield in a split-second to blow up a running play and dislodge the ball from a running back’s grasp. It’s hard to say what’s “lucky” about the play Donald made because from a coaching perspective, that’s textbook.
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