HOUSTON -- Atlanta center Alex Mack, playing Super Bowl LI with what sources told ESPN was a fractured fibula in his lower left leg, performed well enough for the Falcons to pound out 86 yards rushing in the first half.
With that run game and 14 points off turnovers, the Falcons had a 21-3 lead at halftime.
The Falcons didn't run directly behind Mack that often, but the 31-year-old was able to hold up at the point of attack as the Falcons opened the game with plenty of two-back and two-tight end sets as they found a way to stress the perimeter of the Patriots defense.