The Los Angeles Rams and New England Patriots will be squaring off in Sunday's Super Bowl 53 matchup in Atlanta, thanks in part to the presence of All-Pro defensive tackle Aaron Donald. Without Donald, the Rams would not be nearly as much of a threat to the heralded Patriots and future Hall of Fame quarterback Tom Brady, especially.

As a result, Rams defensive coordinator Wade Phillips recently had some very nice things to say about his star defensive lineman — and rightfully so. Phillips even made a not-so-bold prediction along the way.

“He’s a great, great player,” Phillips told reporters, via Joe Curley of USA Today. “He’s the best defensive player in the league. He’ll be Defensive Player is the Year this year. That’s two years in a row. That tells you what kind of player he is.”

However, Phillips wasn't the only one to heap praise upon Donald, who obviously deserves every once of praise that he receives. Patriots head coach Bill Belichick made quite the comparison when referencing Donald on Monday.

“Aaron Donald's a great football player, but I wouldn't put anybody ahead of Lawrence Taylor,” Belichick told reporters, via NFL.com. “Lawrence did it all for 13 years. He dominated. … Taylor's the best player I've ever seen, certainly the best one I've ever coached.”

Although the Patriots are entering the franchise's third consecutive Super Bowl appearance, the up-and-coming Rams will surely put up quite the fight come Sunday. If Donald has anything to say about it, this will be a very close contest.