Michael Vick Returns To Atlanta On Sunday; Difficult Game For Falcons In Many Ways

One of the highlights of the Week 2 NFL schedule is the Philadelphia Eagles travelling to Atlanta to play the Falcons in what is Michael Vick's homecoming as a starter.  It should be noted that both the Eagles and Falcons are widely predicted to face each other in the NFC Championship this coming January, but this game will be known primarily for what #7 in green does.

Vick was an icon in Atlanta for the six years he was the starting quarterback for the Falcons until his trial and subsequent prison sentence for dog fighting.  There still is a great well of support for the former quarterback in Georgia, and one would expect to see many Vick jerseys at the game.  The big question is how many folks pull out their old Falcons #7 jerseys.

The Falcons desperately need this game to avoid going 0-2 in a season in which many predicted a few weeks ago that they'd make the Super Bowl.  If Vick comes into the Georgia Dome and puts on a vintage display of running/passing that results in an Eagles victory, expect a large backlash in Atlanta against the Falcons.

Matt Ryan has to rebound from a terrible loss in Chicago last week and find a way to get the offense moving at critical times.   Atlanta had only three drives last week that lasted longer than 5 plays.  Two of those drives resulted in a field goal, and the final one, at the end of the game, was turned over on downs.  

The Falcons have got to find a way to keep the ball in their possession longer.  The Eagles don't need a lot of time to score, and the Falcons will want to keep Vick on the sideline as much as possible.

My Prediction:

Eagles 30 Falcons 27