The 2025 NFL season got off to a bizarre start Thursday night.
The Philadelphia Eagles began their title defense with a dramatic 24-20 win over the Dallas Cowboys in the NFL season opener. The game featured touchdowns, tempers flaring, a weather delay, and a nail-biting finish that left fans on edge until the final whistle.
Jalen Hurts led the Eagles’ charge with two rushing touchdowns. But the night wasn’t without controversy, as star defender Jalen Carter was ejected for spitting on Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott. Despite the chaos, the Eagles found a way to secure victory.
Hurts Sets the Tone Early
Quarterback Jalen Hurts wasted no time asserting control. He scored on runs of 4 and 8 yards, powering through a Dallas defense missing star Micah Parsons. Running back Saquon Barkley added a 10-yard touchdown, though his 60-yard total was modest compared to his explosive past seasons.
Hurts celebrated his second touchdown by throwing the ball into the stands, mimicking the iconic shrug of Michael Jordan, who was in attendance. The crowd responded with loud cheers.
“We talked about discipline and focus before the game,” Hurts said afterward. “We’ll leave with the same message. We found a way to win, even when it wasn’t perfect.”
Banner Raised, Tempers Flare
Before kickoff, the Eagles raised their 2024 Super Bowl championship banner in a private locker-room ceremony, as requested by coach Nick Sirianni. But the focus shifted quickly once the game began.
Moments after the opening kickoff, Jalen Carter exchanged heated words with Dak Prescott. The argument escalated when Carter spit on Prescott’s jersey. Officials ejected the Eagles’ defensive tackle, and the Philadelphia crowd booed as he walked off.
Carter now faces potential fines under the NFL’s tougher sportsmanship policies. His absence forced the Eagles’ defense to adjust, but replacements stepped up to hold the line.
Lightning Delay Halts Momentum
With 4:44 left in the third quarter, lightning forced a 65-minute delay. The Eagles were ahead 24-20 when play stopped, and that score held until the end. Fans waited late into the night, with the game finally wrapping up at 12:18 a.m.
The interruption stalled Philadelphia’s momentum. Dallas nearly capitalized, as an unnecessary roughness penalty gave them a chance to take the lead. But running back Miles Sanders fumbled inside the 10-yard line, and the Eagles recovered. Prescott himself chased down the loose ball to prevent a defensive touchdown.
Cowboys’ Late Push Falls Short
Dallas fought back behind running back Javonte Williams, who scored two 1-yard touchdowns. Kicker Brandon Aubrey added field goals from 41 and 53 yards to keep the game close.
With under two minutes left, the Cowboys had one final opportunity. Facing fourth-and-3, Prescott’s pass fell incomplete, sealing Philadelphia’s win and sending the remaining crowd into celebration.
Historic Start for Defending Champions
The Eagles became the first defending Super Bowl champions since the 2011 Green Bay Packers to score touchdowns on their first three drives of a season. Kicker Jake Elliott also drilled a 58-yard field goal to extend the lead.
Still, the game’s defining moment was the defense’s resilience after Carter’s ejection. “Our guys battled,” Hurts said. “It’s a new team, a new journey. We got tested tonight.”
Injuries and Debut Notes
Eagles offensive lineman Landon Dickerson left the game with a back injury, and his status remains uncertain.
For Dallas, it was a disappointing start for new head coach Brian Schottenheimer. Promoted from offensive coordinator, he became the 10th head coach in franchise history, only to lose his debut in a bitter division rivalry.
Eagles Survive Wild Opener
The Eagles’ 24-20 victory wasn’t smooth, but it showed grit, adaptability, and championship resolve. Between Carter’s ejection, Barkley’s modest debut, the weather delay, and Prescott’s late-game push, the season opener had everything fans could expect.
For Philadelphia, it’s a reminder that defending a title won’t be easy. But for now, the champions are 1-0.
