The highly anticipated season opener on Thursday night between the Dallas Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles set the bar high for the remaining 272 games. This fierce matchup had it all—an unexpected ejection, a lengthy weather delay, and intense rivalries from the NFC East. Ultimately, the Eagles triumphed over the Cowboys with a score of 24-20 after a nail-biting finish.
The game kicked off ominously for the Eagles as they suffered an early setback. On the opening kickoff, fullback Ben VanSumeren sustained a knee injury, and shortly after, defensive lineman Jalen Carter was ejected for spitting on Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott. Taking advantage of this chaotic start, the Cowboys quickly drove 53 yards in just six plays, taking a commanding 7-0 lead.
Both teams exchanged blows throughout the first half, with points scored on eight consecutive possessions. However, the Cowboys' momentum stalled during their fifth possession. After a promising 61-yard drive that reached the Philadelphia 11-yard line, running back Miles Sanders fumbled the ball, allowing Jihaad Campbell to force the turnover. Quinyon Mitchell recovered the fumble and nearly sprinted for a 90-yard touchdown, only to be thwarted by Prescott's unexpected tackle.
Just before 10:30 p.m. ET, the game faced a weather delay due to a thunderstorm, halting the action until after midnight. When play resumed, neither team found the end zone again, leading to five punts. The Cowboys' final chance for a comeback ended on a fourth-and-3 at their own 45-yard line. Prescott attempted a deep pass to CeeDee Lamb, who had a tough night with three dropped passes. Though Lamb managed to touch the ball, he couldn’t secure the catch, resulting in a turnover on downs.
With the Cowboys unable to capitalize on their last opportunity, the Eagles took control. Quarterback Jalen Hurts scrambled for four yards on a crucial third-and-3 with only 1:29 left on the clock. After Dallas called their final timeout, Hurts sealed the victory with three kneel downs. This match marked the fourth meeting between Hurts and Prescott, leaving the series tied at 2-2.
In terms of yardage, the Eagles totaled 302 yards, with an impressive 158 rushing yards. Hurts showcased his dual-threat capabilities, rushing for 62 yards on 14 carries and scoring on two separate scrambles of four and eight yards. He also completed 19 of 23 passes for 152 yards. While A.J. Brown had a quiet night, only receiving his first target with 1:45 remaining and finishing with just one catch for eight yards, Jahan Dotson stepped up with three receptions for 59 yards, including a standout 51-yard catch.
The Eagles faced some challenges with discipline, accumulating nine penalties for 110 yards. Meanwhile, the Cowboys managed to gain 307 yards, with Prescott completing 21 of 34 passes for 188 yards. Running back Javonte Williams contributed with 54 rushing yards and two 1-yard touchdowns, while Sanders added 53 yards on four carries despite his costly fumble. Lamb ended the game with seven receptions totaling 110 yards.
This thrilling opener not only showcased the fierce rivalry between the Cowboys and Eagles but also set the tone for an exciting NFL season ahead.
