With the Eagles searching for answers following their 24-0 loss to the Cowboys last week, one possible ray of hope is the expected return to action of Michael Vick.

Vick has been an x-factor at times for the Eagles this season, especially in short-yardage situations, but he missed the final two games of the regular season with a quad contusion.

"The most important thing in this game is to make sure you're healthy," said Vick, "We were just taking precautions, making sure that I would be available for the weeks to come."

Vick said that he expects to be full-go this week, a notion that head coach Andy Reid confirmed.

"Vick will be back this week," Reid said.

After getting shut out in Dallas, the Eagles will take whatever help they can get on offense. And while Donovan McNabb and co. have said that the key to getting back on track offensively is execution, the addition of the dynamic Vick could certainly play a factor.

"Can I make a difference? Who knows," Vick said. "I think we have to game plan. We have to watch film. We have to decide on what's going to be the best way to attack (the Cowboys). I think we'll come up with a good plan and we'll see what happens."

In Vick's first season back in the NFL following his conviction on dog fighting charges, Vick has contributed to the Eagles with 95 yards rushing on 4.0 yards per carry. It's been a successful immersion back into football for the former No. 1 overall draft pick, and it's not over yet.

"It's great to be back (in the playoffs) and (to) have an opportunity to play in the postseason," said Vick, whose last playoff game was a loss to the Eagles in January of 2005. "That's something that a lot of guys play and never have an opportunity to do. Some guys go 12, 13 years and don't have a chance to play in the playoffs. To be able to come back and play in the playoffs my first year back is very gratifying."

-- Posted by Bo Wulf, 2:09 p.m., January 5