The 2025 NFL season kicked off with a mix of chaos, controversy, and flashes of brilliance—especially in Philadelphia.
Fans at Lincoln Financial Field were in for a wild ride as the defending-champion Eagles faced off against the Dallas Cowboys.
Unfortunately, the first game was far from smooth, and it seemed like everything that could go wrong almost did.
Penalties Galore and an Early Ejection
The Eagles found themselves in trouble right from the first whistle, racking up nine penalties.
Most notably, All-Pro defensive tackle Jalen Carter was ejected just six seconds into the game for spitting at Dallas quarterback Dak Prescott.
Meanwhile, the Cowboys weren’t perfect either, committing four penalties for 42 yards, including a head-scratching “too many men on the field” call in the third quarter.
The game also faced a questionable severe weather delay.
Fans were ushered into shelters for an hour after the stadium announcer warned of a severe weather threat, only for the National Weather Service to later clarify on X that no such alert was in effect.
While intended for safety, the delay disrupted the rhythm of the game and led some Eagles supporters to leave early, with Philadelphia leading 24-20 midway through the third quarter.
Philly Shows Its Resilience
Despite the rocky start, the Eagles showcased why they remain a top team.
Quarterback Jalen Hurts and running back Saquon Barkley were pivotal, keeping the offense moving even when the defense looked vulnerable without Carter for half the game.
By the fourth quarter, the Eagles’ defense tightened up, shutting down Dallas’ offense and securing a 24-20 victory to start the season at 1-0.
Cowboys’ Frustrations and Reflections
New Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer, promoted from offensive coordinator after last season’s 7-10 finish, admitted his team left opportunities on the field. “It was really a tale of two halves,” he said.
“We came out on fire in the first half offensively, struggled defensively, then made adjustments.
But offensively, we just didn’t do enough in the second half.”
Prescott and team owner Jerry Jones were quick to praise Schottenheimer’s leadership despite the loss.
“He did everything he can to give us opportunity,” Prescott said, acknowledging the challenges of a division game.
Injuries and Pre-Snap Drama
Before the first snap even occurred, the Eagles lost fullback Ben VanSumeren to a knee injury on the opening kickoff.
Moments later, the drama escalated with Carter’s ejection following an exchange with Prescott.
According to reports, Prescott had allegedly spat near the Eagles huddle first, provoking Carter’s reaction.
Regardless of the specifics, Carter’s absence left Philadelphia struggling to pressure the quarterback in the first half.
Turnovers and Miscues from Both Sides
The game featured mistakes on both sides.
Dallas benefitted from minor defensive penalties and capitalized with key plays, including a 32-yard pass to star receiver CeeDee Lamb and a one-yard touchdown run from new running back Javonte Williams.
But Dallas also drew unnecessary roughness penalties on special teams, including from players Marist Liufau, Markquese Bell, and George Pickens, which hampered drives.
Meanwhile, the Eagles were far from clean.
Nolan Smith, a former Georgia teammate of Carter’s, was flagged twice—once for taunting and once for roughing the passer—allowing Dallas to get within a point before halftime.
Hurts and the Ground Game Save the Day
Despite the sloppy play, Philadelphia’s dominant running game and Hurts’ precise passing (19 of 23 for 153 yards) kept them in control.
Hurts also scored two rushing touchdowns, reminding fans why he’s considered a game-changer.
Ultimately, the Eagles managed to survive a chaotic opener and set a cautious but encouraging tone for the season ahead.