updated 2:06 a.m. ET Jan. 1, 2007

PHILADELPHIA - Michael Vick has all winter to rest his sprained ankle.

Vick and Atlanta each limped toward the finish after the scrambling quarterback left the Falcons’ 24-17 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday with a sprained right ankle.

Two seasons after Vick carried the Falcons to the NFC championship game at Lincoln Financial Field, they ended this one there losers of seven of their last nine and with an uncertain future for coach Jim Mora after an ill-timed radio interview and the late-season skid.

“It’s pretty tough to walk right now,” Vick said. “I’ll probably be limping around for the next couple of weeks. But the good thing is, I get the chance to rest.”

While Vick will be back for spring drills, Mora could get a more permanent break. His status already was tenuous before he angered owner Arthur Blank by telling a Seattle radio station he would be interested in the University of Washington job, even if the Falcons were in the playoffs — and without the position being open.

Mora apologized for his comments, saying his intended sarcasm in the radio interview was not understood. But the damage may be irreparable, though he wants to return to Atlanta.

“I have a strong passion for this organization. I love this organization,” Mora said. “Of course I want to be here. It’s all I’ve ever wanted.”

Blank has the final say, but Mora should worry if Vick’s opinion is solicited. Vick said he liked Mora and worked well with him, but said if Blank asked him if his coach should return, Vick said he’d give the answer some serious thought.

“Honestly, I really couldn’t tell you what I’d say right now,” Vick said. “I’d have to give it some thought and really evaluate what went down and what happened.”

It was only two years ago the Falcons played in the NFC championship game, a 27-10 loss in Philadelphia. But they were 8-8 last year and lost seven of nine after a 5-2 start this season. Mora believes he should get the opportunity to lead the Falcons back the playoffs.

“I expect to get on that plane, go home and after that, I don’t know,” Mora said.

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Vick was knocked out with a high ankle sprain after he was sacked on the first play of the third quarter. Vick ran away from a pass rush when defensive end Juqua Thomas dragged him down for an 11-yard loss.

Matt Schaub replaced Vick with the Falcons trailing 17-10 and already eliminated from the race for the last wild-card spot in the NFC.

Vick was 8-for-14 for 81 yards and a touchdown and rushed for 17 yards on three carries.

Vick surpassed Bobby Douglass’ 34-year-old mark for most yards rushing by a quarterback in a season two weeks ago at Dallas, and went over 1,000 yards last week against Carolina. He also has thrown a career-best 20 TD passes, but has thrown 13 interceptions.

He finished with 1,039 yards rushing and two TDs.

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“I’ve accomplished a lot of good things this season and I feel like I’ve had one of my best seasons,” he said. “Exactly where things went wrong, I really don’t know.”

Vick dropped to 1-3 in four career starts against the Eagles. Both losses came on the road in the playoffs, including the 2004 NFC championship game.

“I don’t see how people can point the finger at me,” he said. “I think I had a great season. ... I can’t do it all by myself. I call myself Superman, but I really don’t have the cape on my back. I can’t change the game in certain situations. Sometimes I can, sometimes I can’t.”

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