Michael Vick Vs. Donovan McNabb: A Look Back (And Ahead)

It's arguably the most-anticipated game of the season thus far, and it involves a quarterback match-up few would have expected at this point one year ago.

Donovan McNabb's return to Philadelphia as a Washington Redskin this Sunday now shares equal billing with the continuing resurgence of Michael Vick as a marquee player in the NFL.

The Redskins will provide Vick's first real test as a starter against an elite team since his return to the league last season, after great performances against the Lions and the Jaguars the past two weeks.

However, this weekend won't be the first time Vick and McNabb have met on opposite sides of the field.

Here's a look back at the previous games involving two of the most mobile quarterbacks in NFL history, and preview this season's upcoming Vick-McNabb clashes.

January 11, 2003: Eagles 20, Falcons 6 (NFC Divisional Playoff)

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PHILADELPHIA, PA - JANUARY 11: Quarterback Donovan McNabb #5 of the Philadelphia Eagles passes down field against the Atlanta Falcons during their NFC playoff game on January 11, 2003 at Veterans Stadium in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Al Bello

The emergence of Vick in the NFL came in his second season with the Falcons, leading Atlanta to the divisional round after blowing out Brett Favre and the Packers at Lambeau Field, 27-7, in an NFC Wild Card Game on Jan. 4, 2003.

However, McNabb's Eagles entered the game with the top seed in the NFC and a first-round bye after finishing with a 12-4 record and a second consecutive NFC East title.

Vick's youth proved to be a factor in Atlanta's defeat, as a first-quarter pass was intercepted by Eagles cornerback Bobby Taylor for a 39-yard touchdown. He would finish the game with 274 passing yards and 2 interceptions, along with 30 rushing yards.

McNabb threw a 35-yard fourth-quarter touchdown to James Thrash to give the Eagles a 20-6 lead and a berth to the NFC Championship Game for the second consecutive season. The Syracuse product threw for 247 yards and one touchdown, along with 24 rushing yards.

January 23, 2005: Eagles 27, Falcons 10 (NFC Championship Game)

A little over two years later, the two would meet again at Lincoln Financial Field. However, a trip to Super Bowl XXXIX was on the line.

In the first conference championship between two African-American quarterbacks in NFL history, McNabb threw two touchdown passes to tight end Chad Lewis en route to a trip to the team's first Super Bowl since the 1980-81 season.

McNabb added 180 passing yards and 32 yards rushing, while Vick was held to just 136 passing yards and an interception with 26 yards rushing.

September 12, 2005: Falcons 14, Eagles 10

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ATLANTA, GA - SEPTEMBER 12: Quarterback Michael Vick #7 of the Atlanta Falcons evades defensive end N.D. Kalu #94 of the Philadelphia Eagles during the game on September 12, 2005 at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Georgia. The Falcons won 14-10. (Photo by

In a season-opening Monday Night Football match-up, Vick finally got a victory over McNabb, even if it didn't come in the playoffs.

A seven-yard touchdown run by Vick in the second quarter gave Atlanta a lead it would not lose, as the Virginia Tech product ran for 68 of the team's 200 yards rushing.

McNabb threw for 267 yard with an interception and a second-quarter touchdown to running back Brian Westbrook.

October 2, 2010: Redskins Vs. Eagles

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This will be by far the most intriguing game between the two quarterbacks, but the real battle may be McNabb against the Philadelphia crowd at Lincoln Financial Field.

McNabb was never really accepted by the Eagle faithful, due to his failure in leading a run for the Lombardi Trophy in a green uniform despite reaching the NFC Championship Game or the Super Bowl five times.

Vick has wowed Philadelphia fans with his stellar play in his two and a half games of play this season. He seems to have the mobility that carried him to a 1,000-yard rushing season in 2006 with a more accurate and dangerous arm than before his time away from the game.

November 15, 2010: Eagles Vs. Redskins

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JACKSONVILLE, FL - SEPTEMBER 26: Quarterback Michael Vick #7 of the Philadelphia Eagles runs for a touchdown past safety Courtney Greene #36 of the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Field on September 26, 2010 in Jacksonville, Florida. The Eagles defeated

Should both quarterbacks stay healthy (or in Vick's case, keep his starting job), this may be the Packers-Vikings of this season.

In front of a national audience on ESPN's Monday Night Football, this game may go a long way in deciding the NFC East in a division that may see just one playoff berth this season.

Only time will tell if this game will be of any importance.