Mughelli's injury could hurt resurgent run attack

Detroit -- The Falcons posted back-to-back victories for the first time this season by leaning on their rushing attack, which suffered a major setback as Pro Bowl fullback Ovie Mughelli suffered a knee injury.

He left the game in the fourth quarter and did not return. He was on crutches after the game but appeared to be in good spirits. His long-term diagnosis was not revealed by the team.

The Falcons were determined to run the ball on the Lions, who entered the game giving up 5.2 yards per carry, ranking 31st in the league.

The Falcons ran the ball 31 times for 129 yards (4.2 per carry). Running back Michael Turner ran for 122 yards on 27 carries. It was his fourth 100-yard game of the season.

The Falcons stayed with the run even though Detroit was employing seven, eight and even nine men near the line of scrimmage.

“We had to impose our will,” Turner said. “We can’t just fold and give up on it because they are trying to stop the run. We had to stay consistent with it and push hard. The line was going to get the job done eventually, and they did that today.”

Turner was bottled up for most of the day before busting loose for a 50-yard run late in the third quarter.

“My eyes got big out there,” Turner said. “I knew it was going to come. I didn’t know what the play was. I was just going to have to be ready whenever that big-play opportunity came.”

The Falcons were expecting a tough time against the Lions.

"They are physical in the front four and their linebackers are good," quarterback Matt Ryan said. "They spill things to their linebackers, and they make tackles. We kept at it. We were able to have a couple of those breakthroughs and have some big gains."

White had key touchdown catch

Wide receiver Roddy White made a spectacular 18-yard touchdown catch in the second quarter to put the Falcons ahead 17-6.

He caught the end of the football and got both feet down as he ran out of the back of the end zone.

White, Harry Douglas and wide receivers coach Terry Robiskie worked on that route extensively at the end of practice Friday. They knew that in the red zone former Falcons cornerback Chris Houston would be in press coverage against White.

White went inside of Houston and then broke back outside and was wide open.

White, who’s had some dropped passes in recent games, was happy with the difficult catch. He’s been putting in extra work to end the dropped passes.

“I kind of worked on it all week, trying to get my eyes back to the ball instead of just getting up field and trying to catch the ball without looking,” White said. “Today was a real crucial point for me to go up there and just get my eyes on the ball and then try to make moves after the catch.”

Svitek for Baker

Starting left tackle Sam Baker was declared inactive for the game. He's been battling a lower back injury.

Will Svitek, who normally plays as a blocking tight end in power formations, started for Baker and had a strong game.

“I thought he did a great job,” Ryan said. “He didn’t blink. He knew the game plan and was well-prepared.”

Svitek was blocking against Detroit's Kyle Vanden Bosch and held him sackless. However, Vanden Bosch did get one quarterback hit.

“It really didn’t matter to me because I prepare the same way whether I’m a starter or playing jumper tight end,” Svitek said. “I prepare the same. I had a feeling I might start. At game time, I knew I was the guy.”

Making a Dent

Reserve linebacker Akeem Dent laid a big hit on Detroit kickoff returner Stefan Logan to force a fumble late in the first quarter. The Falcons converted the turnover into a touchdown to take a 10-3 lead on Ryan's 1-yard touchdown run.

“One thing we talk about is to expect to make a play,” Dent said. “I was going down, just running. I tried to get off the block. I'd seen the ball coming, and I just tried to make a big play, make a big hit.”

Etc.