Atlanta Falcons Upsets Philadelphia Eagles 35-31 on Sunday Night Football

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Falcons Beat Eagles: Matt Ryan Leads Atlanta Comeback After Michael Vick Suffers Neck Injury

ATLANTA — Matt Ryan threw a career-high four touchdown passes and the Atlanta Falcons rallied to beat the Philadelphia Eagles 35-31 after Michael Vick was knocked out with an injury late in the third quarter Sunday night.

Ryan hit Tony Gonzalez with a pair of TDs, the tight end going past Terrell Owens for fifth on the NFL's career receiving list. Then, Ryan hooked up with Ovie Mughelli on a 1-yarder that brought Atlanta to 31-28 with just over 6 minutes remaining.

The Falcons (1-1) completed the comeback with Michael Turner breaking off a 61-yard run, then powering over from the 3 with 3:24 remaining.

Vick left with a neck injury after getting spun by a Falcons rusher into a Philadelphia blocker. He staggered off the field and Mike Kafka came in for the first NFL game.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.

ATLANTA (AP) – Michael Vick overcame three turnovers to throw two touchdown passes to Jeremy Maclin before leaving with a neck injury, and LeSean McCoy had two scoring runs to give the Philadelphia Eagles a 31-21 lead over the Atlanta Falcons after three quarters on Sunday night.

Matt Ryan threw three touchdown passes, including two to Tony Gonzalez, to give Atlanta a 21-10 early in the third quarter.

Vick, making his much-anticipated return to Atlanta, regrouped after two fumbles and an interception to lead two quick scoring drives that gave the lead back to the Eagles.

Vick, who had a 5-yard scoring pass to Maclin in the first half, added a 36-yard touchdown pass to Maclin in the third quarter. An interception by Philadelphia's Asante Samuel set up a short drive that ended with McCoy's scoring run on first down from the 8.

Vick was knocked out of the game with about 3 minutes remaining in the third quarter, when he was knocked into one of his linemen. He appeared to spit blood out of his mouth as he was escorted off the field.

With backup Vince Young inactive with a hamstring injury, the Eagles turned to third-string quarterback Mike Kafka.

McCoy's 2-yard touchdown run pushed the lead to 10 points.

Soon after the score, Vick was escorted off the field. There was no immediate update on his status.

Ryan's second scoring pass to Gonzalez, his veteran tight end, gave Atlanta a 21-10 lead.

The Eagles answered with two quick scoring drives.

With the Eagles leading 10-7, Vick's 29-yard pass to tight end Brent Celek had Philadelphia back in Falcons' territory.

On first down from the Atlanta 4-yard line, Falcons defensive tackle Peria Jerry surged through the line to hit Vick before he could hand the ball to McCoy, forcing the fumble.

Defensive end Ray Edwards picked up the loose ball at the 12 and rambled 64 yards before he was caught from behind by DeSean Jackson at the Eagles 24.

Ryan completed a 13-yard pass to Gonzalez before passing to the tight end again on third down from the Eagles 4.

Gonzalez reached high with his right hand to bring down the pass at the back of the end zone. An officials' review confirmed he had control of the ball and both feet in the end zone.

Vick, scrambling for a gain on the Eagles' next possession, fumbled again when hit by John Abraham. The fumble was recovered by linebacker Stephen Nicholas.

Vick, capped a 12-play drive that covered 84 yards with a 5-yard touchdown pass to Maclin early in the second quarter. Vick dropped back and looked to his left before stopping and throwing to Maclin, who lined up left before crossing the field to his right at the goal line to make the touchdown catch early in the second quarter.

Vick had a 29-yard pass to Jason Avant on his next drive to help set up a 22-yard field goal by Alex Henery that gave the Eagles a 10-7 lead.

Henery was not close on a 63-yard field goal attempt at the end of the half.

Ryan's 2-yard touchdown pass to Roddy White gave the Falcons a 7-0 lead in the first quarter.

Vick, the former Falcons star, was making his first trip to Atlanta as a starter for another team. He made his first return as a backup in 2009, and ran and threw for touchdowns as a backup in the Eagles' 34-7 win.

Vick's return generated a strong turnout of his No. 7 jerseys, both in Eagles green and in red or black from his days with the Falcons.

An officials' review negated a 28-yard pass from Ryan to rookie Julio Jones in the second quarter.

The pass hit Jones' hands, went up in the air and was touched by Coleman before hitting the ground and bouncing back to Jones.

The officials initially ruled Jones made the catch, but the replay clearly showed the ball hitting the ground. Ryan was unsuccessful in his attempt to call a quick play before play could be stopped for the review.

Four-time Pro Bowl left tackle Jason Peters started for the Eagles after suffering an ankle injury in practice on Friday. He had been listed as questionable.

As expected, the Falcons were without center Todd McClure, who missed his second straight game with a knee injury, and defensive tackle Jonathan Babineaux, who injured his knee in last week's loss at Chicago.

credit: huffingtonpost.com

GO DIRTY BIRDS!!!

[Dork]

Amazing catch by Tony