NFL needs to make the right decision before Rams play Buccaneers

The Buccaneers face off against the Rams in the next round of the playoffs at home, and L.A. should be far from full strength.

The playoffs are here and the first round is in the books. The Buccaneers and the Rams took care of business in their playoff openers, and the rematch from the regular season this weekend is sure to be a spectacular affair.

Both teams looked great against inferior opponents in the first round, but this second game is when the rubber meets the road. Tom Brady and the Buccaneers will have to play their best game of the season against Aaron Donald and the Rams if they want to win.

Or, at least, the Rams and potentially Aaron Donald.

Donald is widely regarded as one of the best defensive players in NFL history. His career so far has already landed him in the Hall of Fame easily, and his dominance in the first round against the Cardinals shows why he wears that title.

While Donald was causing chaos on the line, a slip-up could change the trajectory for the franchise in the playoffs. Throwing a punch and a very clear photo showing Donald trying to choke a Cardinals player could have his status for the upcoming game in question, and rightfully so.

Donald’s altercation should have his behavior in review at the very least, which would greatly help the Buccaneers ahead of the matchup this weekend. Given that there is a chance that the Bucs could be without several key linemen, Bucs fans should be hoping that Donald doesn’t get a chance to put pressure on Brady.

In the end, the league would have likely made this decision by now if this was the direction they were going to move in, but keeping players on the field after throwing punches because they are “great players” or “in the playoffs” is wrong.

Great players shouldn’t get passes for being superstars. If this was someone else, they would likely be suspended by now, and the league should handle this situation with Donald in the exact same way.