The Eagles starters just made brief appearances in this game and they still beat the Falcons.  Michael Vick completed 8 of 14 passes for 81 yards and a TD.  He also carried the ball 3 times for 17 yards (5.7 ypc).  Matt Schaub then got his chance to shine and he played well.  Schaub completed 15 of 21 passes for 175 yards with 1 TD and 1 INT.  He also carried the ball 2 times for 21 yards.  Jerious Norwood had a decent game with 10 carries for 63 yards (6.3 ypc) and he caught 3 passes for 28 yards.  Warrick Dunn carried the ball 19 times for 58 yards (3.1 ypc) and caught 3 passes for 17 yards and a TD.  Roddy White had a good game with 4 grabs for 90 yards.  Alge Crumpler had a real good game with 6 catches for 64 yards and a TD.

The Falcons defense stuffed the Eagles’ running game as they carried the ball 17 times for 43 yards (2.5 ypc).  The Eagles shredded the Falcons secondary as they completed 23 of 36 passes for 350 net yards passing.

The Falcons have lost 2 games in a row but can make the playoffs with a win and help.  The Eagles are soaring as they’ve won 4 games in a row and can clinch the NFC East with a win.

The Falcons offensive strength (running the ball) matches up perfect with the Eagles weakness (defending the run).  So look for the Falcons to run the ball almost every play on Sunday.  Warrick Dunn (1,082 yards rushing), Michael Vick (1,022 yards rushing) and rookie Jerious Norwood (570 yards rushing) should all have good games against the Eagles soft run defense that has allowed 134.9 yards rushing and 4.4 yards per carry so far this season.  Michael Vick must be careful if he decides to throw the ball to Alge Crumpler because he’ll likely be matched up against big-time safety Brian Dawkins.

The Eagles would prefer to get a lead passing the ball and then grind out a win.  Jeff Garcia (96.2 QB Rating) has been fantastic since taking over for Donovan McNabb.  The Falcons are vulnerable to the pass as they allow 221.2 net yards passing per game.  Look for Garcia to throw short stuff to LJ Smith and Brian Westbrook, and when the Falcons sneak up to try to stop that, whammo Garcia will throw the ball deep to Donte’ Stallworth and Reggie Brown.  Brian Westbrook (1,214 yards rushing) should find some running room against the Falcons who allow 107.6 yards rushing per game.

Look for the Eagles to get a quick lead and take the Falcons out of their running game.  I like the Eagles to win this game by about 10 points.

The Atlanta Falcons can clinch a playoff berth with:  1) a win and Carolina, Green Bay and NY Giants all lose or tie  2) a tie and Carolina, Green Bay, NY Giants and St. Louis all lose.

The Falcons need a miracle to make it to the playoffs after an up and down season.  It’s not impossible, but everything would have to break just right for it to happen.

The Falcons played an awful game on offense and that did them in yesterday.  Michael Vick had a horrible game throwing the ball as he completed only 9 of 20 passes for 109 yards and 2 INTs.  Vick did carry the ball 4 times for 32 yards (8.0 ypc) and became the first QB in NFL history to rush for over 1,000 yards in a season.  Warrick Dunn only carried the ball 9 times for 29 yards (3.2 ypc) and Jerious Norwood carried the ball 5 times for 20 yards (4.0 ypc).  Ashley Lelie (3 rec, 40 yards) and Alge Crumpler (3 rec, 39 yards) were the leading receivers on the Falcons.

LBs Edgerton Hartwell (12 tackles) and Keith Brooking (9 tackles) led an inspired effort by the Falcons defense.  The Falcons did allow the Panthers to rush for 183 yards, but it took them 52 carries (3.5 ypc) to get it.  The Panthers only completed 4 of 7 passes for 11 net yards thru the air.

The Falcons fell to 7-8 on the season with this loss.