The 2025 NFL season opened with fireworks as the Philadelphia Eagles held off a resilient Dallas Cowboys squad 24-20 in a contest that had everything—controversy, missed chances, and the kind of intensity that makes this rivalry special. Before fans even settled into their seats, the night delivered its first surprise, setting the tone for what would become a memorable season opener despite a weather delay that tested everyone’s patience.
Carter’s Shocking Exit Mars Opening Moments
What should have been a routine coin toss turned into something nobody saw coming. Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter found himself heading to the locker room before the game even started after spitting on Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott. The incident left players and coaching staff scrambling to adjust their game plans on the fly.
Carter’s postgame apology—calling his actions “a mistake”—couldn’t undo the damage to Philadelphia’s defensive front. Making matters worse for both teams, the Cowboys were already missing their star pass rusher Micah Parsons, who’d been dealt to Green Bay in a surprising offseason move that still has Dallas fans scratching their heads.
Hurts Keeps Breaking Records While Leading Championship Defense
Dual-Threat Magic Makes the Difference
Super Bowl MVP Jalen Hurts picked up where he left off last season, bulldozing his way to two rushing touchdowns and extending what’s becoming an absurd NFL record—16 games with multiple rushing scores as a quarterback. His legs opened up the field all night, keeping Dallas defenders guessing and creating opportunities that don’t show up in typical passing statistics.
Defense Comes Through When It Counts
The game’s defining moment arrived late in the third quarter when Cowboys running back Miles Sanders coughed up the football just as Dallas threatened to score. Philadelphia cornerback Quinyon Mitchell pounced on the loose ball, then celebrated with his own version of the Eagles’ signature “tush push”—a moment that perfectly captured the night’s emotional swings.
Yellow Flags Pile Up
For all their success, the Eagles couldn’t stay out of their own way early on. They racked up 93 penalty yards in the first half alone—numbers that would make even the most undisciplined teams blush. That kind of sloppiness hasn’t been seen since Dallas set their own dubious record in 2023, and it’s something Philadelphia needs to clean up fast if they want to repeat as champions.
What’s Next
The Eagles get their next test against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday, September 14, at 4:25 p.m. ET—a matchup that could preview January football.
Cowboys Show Fight Despite Missing Key Pieces
Holding Their Own Without Their Best Pass Rusher
Playing without Parsons could have been a disaster, but Dallas showed they won’t roll over easily this season. Still, they couldn’t prevent a backbreaking 51-yard strike from Hurts to Jahan Dotson in the second quarter—the longest completion they allowed all night, which led directly to Philadelphia taking the lead.
Costly Mistakes Pile Up at Wrong Times
Wide receiver CeeDee Lamb struggled to secure the football when his team needed him most, dropping several catchable passes during a crucial fourth-quarter stretch. Sanders’ fumble deep in Eagles territory proved even more damaging, wiping out what looked like a sure scoring opportunity. These are the kinds of plays that separate winning and losing against quality opponents.
The loss marked Dallas’ fourth defeat to Philadelphia in their last five meetings and gave new coach Brian Schottenheimer his first taste of this rivalry’s sting—joining a growing list of Cowboys coaches who’ve watched the Eagles spoil their debuts.
Prescott Moves Better Than Expected
While his final numbers might not jump off the page, Prescott showed encouraging signs of mobility after last year’s hamstring troubles. At 32, with two significant leg surgeries behind him, his ability to escape pressure and pick up yards on scrambles remains crucial for Dallas’ offensive success. Those moments of athleticism suggest he’s closer to full health than many expected.
Ground Game Shows Life
Running back Javonte Williams provided immediate dividends in his Cowboys debut, punching in two rushing touchdowns—something no Dallas player had accomplished in their first game since Herschel Walker did it way back in 1986. Considering the Cowboys managed just six rushing touchdowns all last season, seeing two on their opening possessions offered real hope for improvement.
Mobile QB Problem Looms Large
This season won’t get any easier for Dallas’ run defense. They’ll face plenty of quarterbacks who can hurt them with their legs, including multiple meetings with Russell Wilson, Caleb Williams, Jordan Love, Justin Fields, and two more dates with Hurts. Tightening up gap assignments and run discipline will determine whether this defense can compete with top-tier offenses.
Week 2 at Home
The Cowboys welcome the New York Giants to town on Sunday, September 14, at 1 p.m. ET for what should be a more manageable opponent as they look to even their record.
