Posted:
#1
I haven't seen this discussed much, which is very strange. This has the potential to be huge.
Mack was injured in the NFCCG. He left briefly, but did return. However, reports shortly after the game said that his ankle had significant swelling. It's been reported as both an ankle and a fibula injury, which means that it's likely a high ankle sprain or a fibula fracture. He didn't practice at all last week and has been limited so far this week.
He will likely play, but the reason this could have a significant impact is not only because Mack has been an integral part of that offense, but because the right guard (Chester) who plays next to him has been a huge liability. Mack's presence provided stability to the interior of that OL, despite Chester's poor play. With Mack hurt, even if he plays, that interior OL will be vulnerable. The Patriots are very likely to line up their DTs (Branch and Brown, both of whom have been playing exceptionally well) against Atlanta's guards, and have them push the pocket backwards to get into Matt Ryan's face. They could also occasionally send Hightower to blitz up the gut (which they've done with success in the past) or line their bst pass rusher (Trey Flowers) inside. With how vulnerable Atlanta's interior OL is, this could slow Atlanta down significantly, since interior pressure will disrupt that offense in the same way the Giants disrupted the 2007 Patriots.
Something to think about.
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