Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan is from Exton, Pa., a suburb of Philadelphia.

“I was an Eagles fan growing up,” Ryan admitted.

He knows all about the Eagles being 8-1 against the Falcons under coach Andy Reid.

“We haven’t had a lot of success against them the last couple of years,” Ryan said.

Other connections include:

  • Philadelphia quarterback Michael Vick was originally drafted by the Falcons in 2001 and spent seven seasons in Atlanta from 2001-06.
  • Falcons safety Thomas DeCoud and Eagles wide receiver DeSean Jackson were college teammates at California.
  • Falcons linebacker Sean Weatherspoon and safety William Moore starred on defense at Missouri from 2006-08, while teammate Jeremy Maclin, now an Eagles wide receiver, starred on offense.
  • Eagles safety Colt Anderson, Falcons defensive end Kroy Biermann and safety Shann Schillinger were teammates at Montana from 2006-07.
  • Eagles running back Ronnie Brown is from Cartersville.
  • Eagles punter Chas Henry played at East Paulding High.
  • Eagles cornerback Trevard Lindley played at Hiram High.
  • Eagles quality control assistant coach Matt Nagy, was the star quarterback of the Georgia Force of the Arena Football League.

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