Michael Vick Injury: How One Play Might Shake Up the NFC East

Michael Vick versus Donovan McNabb.

It was supposed to be a game for the ages. When Donovan McNabb returned to Philadelphia yesterday, it was a game with more thematic significance than actual importance in the NFC East.

Now, the tables have turned.

With one play, Michael Vick exited the game in the first quarter with chest and rib injuries. With the Eagles' savior gone, Andy Reid turned to original starter Kevin Kolb who proceeded to get booed after managing just 12 points and a measly quarterback rating of 76.0.

With McNabb's return to Philadelphia concluded, the questions now turn to the future. How long will Vick be out? Can Kolb return to last year's form and lead the Eagles as originally planned? Do the Eagles still have a chance in a tough NFC East?

The questions abound. The reality is that three teams sit atop the NFC East at 2-2 with the Cowboys only one-half game behind at 1-2. The division is open for anyone to take.

With Vick out for an undetermined amount of time, the Eagles lose the offensive potency that put them in the top third in the league in passing yards, rushing yards and scoring. The Washington Redskins, New York Giants and Dallas Cowboys now peer over at the Philadelphia Eagles touting their experienced quarterbacks who have established their abilities to win close games, particularly against tough division rivals.

Obviously, the Redskins appear better than the Eagles as demonstrated by their ability to win a road game in Philadelphia against the Vick-less Eagles. The New York Giants absolutely decimated Jay Cutler and the 3-0 Chicago Bears last night. The Cowboys offense appeared back on track last week against the Houston Texans.

Without Vick, the Eagles seem to be a bottom-dweller in the NFC East. Great coaching from Andy Reid and tough defense can bring Philadelphia to a certain point, but there is no substitute for the on-field leadership that a quarterback provides.

Over the last two games, Vick had revitalized a struggling Eagles offense. His skills as a scrambler and improvement as a  pocket passer created a matchup nightmare for opposing defenses. He didn't look like the Vick of old, but the new and improved Vick, one that combined incredible athleticism with intelligence and vision.

Kolb will not be able to replace the new Vick, who was a top-five quarterback in the NFL, and Kolb will never be that. The rest of the NFC East is both salivating at this new opportunity and relieved that for at least a couple of games the Eagles will be without their renewed superstar.

The Eagles better hope Vick can return to the form he displayed in the past two weeks. Without Vick, the Philadelphia Eagles are simply the bottom-dwellers of an incomparable NFC East.

Justin Eisenband is a student at Georgetown University and an intern for the Bleacher Report. To read more of his articles, become a fan at Justin Eisenband's B/R Profile