Eagles Beat Cowboys 24-20 in Thrilling NFC East Season Opener

The Philadelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys started the 2025 NFL season with a great game at Lincoln Financial Field. Both teams have high hopes, the Eagles are aiming for another Super Bowl, while the Cowboys aim to improve with new head coach Brian Schottenheimer.

A Tale of Two Teams

The Cowboys came into this game with many questions. After trading star player Micah Parsons, Dallas needed their offense to step up. Quarterback Dak Prescott was healthy and ready to work with his strong receivers, CeeDee Lamb and new player George Pickens. The Cowboys also wanted a better running game with Javonte Williams as their main running back.

The Eagles entered as defending champions and had a lot expected of them. Their offense, led by quarterback Jalen Hurts' exciting plays and the strong running of Saquon Barkley, are thought to be among the best in the league. Philadelphia's defense, ranked second last season, needed to control Dallas's improved passing game.

First Quarter Action

The game started slowly, as both teams tried to get a feel for each other. The Cowboys were the first to score with a careful drive that showed their balanced offense. Javonte Williams scored the first touchdown of the season, putting Dallas up 7-0. Williams, who won the starting running back spot in training camp, showed why the Cowboys trusted him. Jalen Hurts responded with a rushing touchdown of his own. Bringing the score to 7-7.

Second Quarter Momentum Shift

The Eagles quickly responded in the second quarter. Their championship experience showed as Jalen Hurts and Saquon Barkley each scored, eventually taking a 21-20 lead at halftime. Their offensive line, the best in the league, gave their quarterback enough time to find open receivers and run.

Third Quarter Lightning Delay!

The Eagles made a field goal to put them up by 3, but later with 4:44 remaining in the 3rd quarter, the game was suspended because of lightning in the area! The NFL requires that all players and fans head inside for safety during situations like this. Everyone had to wait an hour for the game to start again. There was even a report that one team had food delivered to their locker room! Luckily the game started again and the players took the field.

An Uneventful 4th Quarter

Both teams noticeably struggled after coming back from the lightning delay. In fact, not a single touchdown was scored for the rest of the game. The Cowboys desperately tried to score and got really close. Unfortunately, CeeDee Lamb and Dak Prescott were unable to connect and Jalen Hurts' Eagles eventually won 24-20.

Looking Ahead

This close loss shows the Cowboys are moving in a good direction under Coach Schottenheimer. Their offensive players looked strong against the reigning champions, and if they can score better in the red zone, they will be a tough team to beat.

For Philadelphia, this win supports their championship goals. They showed they could bounce back from an early deficit and make big plays when necessary.

Both teams will learn from this game as they prepare for their next games. The Cowboys will look to win in their home opener, while the Eagles will try to keep their winning streak as they defend their title. In the tough NFC East, every game is important, and this game was just the start of what looks to be an exciting season.

-Insights from The Deep Dive Fantasy Football Podcast