Philadelphia Eagles vs. Atlanta Falcons: Michael Vick Will Close Book on Past

Michael Vick is returning to Atlanta for the first time as a starting NFL quarterback in what is sure to be an extremely emotional and intense Sunday Night Football matchup.

As prolific and exciting as Vick was on the field for the Falcons, he was equally, if not more prolific with his off-field mistakes.

They have been well documented and discussed, and I don’t think there are many people in the business of defending what Vick did.

That said, he did the crime and paid his time, so any more discussion on his past antics are irrelevant at this point.

Still, the fact of the matter is that Vick will be forced to face his past and the demons he left in Atlanta.

The media will bring it up, the fans will remind him of it and there is no doubt in my mind that playing again on that field will conjure up images of his past.

It’s going to be a tough and emotional night for Vick, even if he doesn’t show it.

The thing is, both teams have moved on and it seems like all parties involved are finally happy. Vick found a team more than willing to embrace him, and the Falcons got their quarterback of the future in Matt Ryan.

The Associated Press via ESPN writes about both quarterbacks’ thoughts:

Nothing personal, A-T-L, but Vick has moved on. He doesn't spend a lot of time assessing his career with the Falcons -- or what might've been.

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"To be honest, I've not really thought about that in a while," Vick said in a conference call from Philadelphia. "It may cross my mind every once in a while, but I'm so thankful to be in Philly right now. I know things happen for a reason. Maybe it was meant for me to be here. I couldn't have landed in a better city, a better place. This is my home, this is where I want to be. I'm just thankful for that."

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Ryan took over as the Falcons quarterback after Vick was sent to prison, and there are no complaints in these parts about the way things turned out with Matty Ice.

He's guided Atlanta to three straight winning seasons—before that, there had never even been two in a row, not even with Vick—and a pair of playoff appearances. The Falcons are the defending NFC South champions and are generally considered among the top Super Bowl contenders, a small group that also includes Vick's Eagles.

Ryan didn't play in that game two years ago. He was out with an injured toe. But he watched from the sideline as the crowd treated Vick as a returning hero. He understands the city's continuing love affair with No. 7, even though he hasn't taken a snap for the Falcons in nearly five years.

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"Certainly, Mike was a great player down here and did some fantastic things and is going to have support from people in this city," Ryan said. "But I really feel like we've had great support the last three years that I've been down here and it's been a lot of fun to play down here."

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It seems like everybody has finally moved on and now we can finally just concentrate on football.

It may be easy to forget, but there is actually a game being played tonight between the Falcons and the Eagles, and it’s going to be a classic.

Both team boast extremely explosive offenses, and even though the Eagles may have the edge defensively, I think the Falcons running game all but offsets that.

I think tonight is the night Vick closes the book on his past for good, and he’ll do so by coming out and dominating the game.

I’m not saying Ryan and Atlanta won’t play well. In fact, i think it will be the opposite; expect great game from both teams.

That said, Vick has had those few marquee moments in his career that have been larger than life, and I think this will be one of those.

There is possibly no better redemption story than Vick’s rise from the ashes of prison and back to his current status as an elite NFL quarterback.

Tonight in Atlanta will just be the next great chapter.