Matt Ryan threw a career-high four touchdown passes, rallying the Falcons from a 10-point, fourth-quarter deficit -- while Eagles quarterback Michael Vick was knocked out with neck injury -- and Atlanta pulled out a 35-31 victory over Philadelphia in a nationally televised game Sunday night at the Georgia Dome.
Vick, the former Atlanta quarterback, was injured when he was spun to the ground by a pass rusher, left the field and didn't return. An unconfirmed report was Vick suffered a concussion.
Ryan threw two touchdown passes to Tony Gonzalez as the Falcons (1-1) bounced back from a season-opening loss.
A revamped Atlanta defensive unit, which opened with James Sanders at free safety for Thomas DeCoud and Kelvin Hayden at nickel back for Christopher Owens, started out strong and stopped the Eagles on the first two possessions.
Falcons punt returner Eric Weems next broke loose for a 19-yard runback, setting up the offense at Philadelphia’s 38-yard line and leading to a quick opening score. Matt Ryan threw a 2-yard touchdown pass to Roddy White for a 7-0 lead, capping a seven-play drive.
The Eagles responded by mixing in quick-hitting run plays to move down the field. The Falcons appeared to have the Eagles stopped, but defensive end John Abraham was offside after a Vick pass fell incomplete on third down. The Eagles likely would have settled for a field goal, but the penalty gave them a first down.
Two plays later, Philadelphia scored when Vick found Jeremy Maclin wide open on a crossing route for a 4-yard touchdown to tie it up at 7-7
The Eagles next found holes in the Falcons’ zone defense. On a third-and-6 from the 41, Vick connected with Jason Avant for a 29-yard gain with Sanders in coverage. The defense held the Eagles to a field goal after middle linebacker Curtis Lofton deflected a pass in the end zone. Philadelphia's Alex Henery kicked a 22-yard field goal for a 10-7 lead with 6:46 left in the second quarter.
The Eagles later drove from their 30 to the Falcons’ 4-yard line, ready to pad their lead. On first-and-goal, defensive tackle Peria Jerry pummeled Vick while he was trying to pitch the ball and it came loose. Defensive end Ray Edwards scooped up the fumble and rumbled for 64 yards before he was caught from behind by the Philly's fleet DeSean Jackson.
The Falcons had first-and-10 from the Eagles 24. After a 13-yard pass to Tony Gonzalez, Jacquizz Rodgers' 5-yard run and Turner's 2-yard run, Gonzalez made a spectacular one-handed touchdown grab in the back of the end zone over linebacker Jamar Chaney, reclaiming a 14-10 Atlanta lead.
The half ended after an exchange of turnovers, Vick fumbling again and Ryan throwing an interception.
Opening the second half, the Falcons couldn’t move the ball and punted. From his 40, Vick was chased by Sanders and threw an interception to Hayden. Taking advantage, the Falcons struck quickly with a 32-yard pass to Michael Turner and a 17-yard touchdown pass to Gonzalez to make it 21-10.
However, the Eagles regrouped and regained the lead with two of their trademark quick-strike drives, the second after another Ryan interception.
Philadelphia's 70-yard drive took just 1:56 off the clock, with Jeremy Maclin scoring on a 36-yard screen play to pull the Eagles within 21-17.
The visitors weren't done either. After Asante Samuel picked off a Ryan pass intended for Julio Jones, the Eagles’ LeSean McCoy scored on an 8-yard run to put his team ahead 24-21.
McCoy added another touchdown on a 2-yard run with 1:59 left in the third quarter, upping the Eagles' lead to 31-21, but Vick went out and momentum shifted to Atlanta.
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