Eagles survive rough start, valiant Cowboys effort as Dallas is plagued by key mistakes in season opener

Season opening game began with an ejection on the first play of game

PHILADELPHIA -- The 2025 NFL season certainly wasn't a banner start for the Philadelphia Eagles. All-Pro defensive tackle Jalen Carter was ejected prior to the first play from scrimmage for unsportsmanlike conduct, allegedly spitting on Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott.

However, the Eagles overcame their own sloppiness (nine penalties for 110 yards), a weather delay and a feisty Cowboys squad to prevail for a 24-20 victory. 

The ejection was the quickest in a game since 2005, when former Eagles linebacker Jeremiah Trotter Sr. was ejected from the game for a pregame altercation prior to Philadelphia's season opener. Carter's absence has certainly impacted the Eagles defense, as Javonte Williams scored two rushing touchdowns on the first two possessions of the game. The Cowboys scored on their first four possessions and have 20 points at halftime. 

Fortunately for the Eagles, they were able to run the football. Quarterback Jalen Hurts made the Cowboys pay for not having Micah Parsons, rushing for two touchdowns of his own on the Eagles' first two possessions to keep Philadelphia in the game. He finished the night with 62 yards rushing and two touchdowns on 14 carries. A Hurts scramble on third-and-3 for four yards iced the game. Much of his rushing production came via scrambles since he had almost all day to throw, and Dallas' secondary did well to keep the Eagles receivers under wraps. Pro Bowler A.J. Brown totaled just one catch for eight yards, a play that came on Philadelphia's final drive. 

Saquon Barkley also had a rushing touchdown as he totaled 60 yards and the score on 18 carries. Despite both teams scoring on every possession in the first half, the game slowed to a slog after the weather delay in the fourth quarter. Dallas had chances to win, but it couldn't quite break through. Cowboys No. 2 running back Miles Sanders' fumble in the red zone pre-weather delay stifled what appeared to be a touchdown drive. All-Pro wide receiver CeeDee Lamb's box score of 110 yards receiving on seven catches looks strong, but he had multiple drops – including a couple backbreaking ones on the game's final drive. 

Read on below for takeaways from the Eagles win over the Cowboys in the season opener.

[Sep 5, 2025 at 1:06 am ET · Garrett Podell]

Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts can drag Philadelphia over the finish line even on an off night

Many people describe Philadelphia quarterback Jalen Hurts as a game manager for a loaded Eagles roster, but he powered the defending Super Bowl champions to victory Thursday night. His legs were the difference. Hurts created nine scrambles for 63 yards rushing: those nine scrambles stand as second-most in a game of his career while the 63 yards after those aforementioned scrambles mark his fourth-most in a game off of scrambles. 

Yes, running back Saquon Barkley is the reigning NFL Offensive Player of the Year, but Dallas limited him to 3.3 yards per carry (60 yards rushing on 18 carries). Wide receiver A.J. Brown failed to break free with just a single catch on eight yards. Both of those guys comprise one of the best supporting casts in football, but Hurts' poise drove the bus for the Eagles Thursday night. 

[Sep 5, 2025 at 12:59 am ET · Garrett Podell]

The Eagles have serious problems in their secondary

Philadelphia rolling out cornerback Adoree' Jackson, who turns 30-yaers-old on Sept. 18, opposite Quinyon Mitchel as their other outside corner is a major issue. The Cowboys hunted Jackson early and often on Thursday as he surrendered four catches on seven targets for 88 yards and pass interference penalty. Lamb burned him deep early on a play-action pass for a 32-yard gain that set up Dallas with a first and goal on the one. Lamb lit him up for a pass interference penalty on a fade route on the ensuing play before Cowboys running back Javonte Williams rumbled into the end zone to give Dallas an early 7-0 lead. 

The Eagles moved 2024 second-round pick Cooper DeJean to safety to offset the departure of C.J. Gardner-Johnson, but they may need to move back to cornerback. Otherwise, general manager Howie Roseman may need to trade for secondary help. Dallas won't be the last time to pick on Jackson if he continues receiving playtime. It's also a glaring indication of what the Eagles coaching staff thinks of its younger corners like Kelee Ringo and Jakorian Bennett if Jackson was able to earn the Week 1 start. 

[Sep 5, 2025 at 12:50 am ET · Garrett Podell]

The Cowboys win this game with Micah Parsons 

Despite Pro Bowl cornerback Trevon Diggs playing in his first game after an offseason knee procedure, Dallas' cornerback trio of Diggs, 2023 first team All-Pro DaRon Bland and former Buffalo Bills first-round pick Kaiir Elam played mostly lights out football. Eagles Super Bowl LIX MVP Jalen Hurts completed 19 of his 23 passes for just 152 yards, 6.6 yards per pass attempt. Philadelphia No. 1 wide receiver A.J. Brown was held without a target until only 1:51 remained in the game.

However, Hurts was able to make enough magic with his feet to extend drives and get into the end zone in large part because of an absence of pressure from the Cowboys' pass rush. He totaled nine scrambles for 63 yards rushing: those nine scrambles are his second-most in a game of his career while the 63 yards after those aforementioned scrambles are his fourth-most in a game off of scrambles. Hurts creating with his feet is ultimately what iced the game when he was able to pick up the game's most crucial first down on a third-and-3 with a four-yard scamper. 

If Parsons was on the field Thursday night instead, he likely would have forced the football to be thrown on a few of those drives, or he would have helped create more than just the one sack Dallas was able to muster. That could have been a difference maker in what was otherwise an extremely close game. 

[Sep 5, 2025 at 12:40 am ET · Garrett Podell]

Weather delay turned firework show into a rock fight

Prior to the weather delay, the Cowboys offense was churning down the field on the back of new starting running back Javonte Williams' rushing through the gap were Eagles Pro Bowl defensive tackle Jalen Carter should have been, and the familiar connection between Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb. The Eagles attack was also producing similar results albeit on the legs of both quarterback Jalen Hurts and Saquon Barkley. 

After both teams sat in the locker room for just over an hour, the offensive onslaught died. No points were scored. The Cowboys had chances at big plays downfield to Lamb on their final drive, but the All-Pro just couldn't hang on to the football. In the end, Dallas didn't score any points in the second half after they scored on all four (two touchdowns and two field goals) of their first-half possessions. 

Cowboys at Eagles Before and After Lightning Delay	Before	After
Points	44	0
Drives	9	7
Punts	0	5

* One-hour, three-minute lightning delay in third quarter

[Sep 4, 2025 at 11:56 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

Brett Toth entered in for Dickerson on that last series. Dickerson is questionable to return with a back injury, what he missed practice for earlier in the week. 

[Sep 4, 2025 at 11:53 pm ET · Garrett Podell]

Defense dominates post-weather delay

There weren't any punts prior to the weather delay tonight, and since the delay, all three drives by both teams have ended in punts. Offenses trying to find their rhythm. The Cowboys have the football at their own 11 down 24-20 with 7:20 left to play. 

[Sep 4, 2025 at 11:19 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

Here's the pool report on the Jalen Carter ejection, provided by the Eagles. The PFWA Pool reporter is Zack Berman of The Athletic.

Question: What did you observe that led to the disqualification (of Philadelphia defensive tackle Jalen Carter)?

Referee Smith: "One of the officials observed him spitting on an opponent."

Question: Why did that rise to the level of disqualification as opposed to a different penalty?

Referee Smith: "It's a disqualifiable foul in the game. It's a non-football act."

[Sep 4, 2025 at 11:07 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

The rain has stopped and the storms have passed. Teams will take the field at 11:15 p.m. and the game will resume at 11:30 p.m. So we had about an hour rain delay. 

[Sep 4, 2025 at 11:06 pm ET · Garrett Podell]

Game will resume at 11:30 pm ET. 

The jumbotron at Lincoln Financial Field announced the game between the Cowboys and the Eagles will resume at 11:30 pm ET, per the broadcast.  

[Sep 4, 2025 at 10:34 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

This is the severe thunderstorm warning we all feared prior to the start of the game. We weren't sure when it was coming. Fans have been told to evacuate their seats and head to the concourse. This delay will be at least 30 minutes and strong winds are forecasted. 

This stadium is dead silent now, right after Jihaad Campbell and Byron Young forced a Miles Sanders fumble for a takeaway. The Eagles lead 24-20 and have the ball, whenever play resumes -- it's 10:33 now. 

[Sep 4, 2025 at 10:28 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

The Eagles and Cowboys game has been suspended for lightning with 4:44 to play in the third quarter. No rain, but the players are headed inside for lightning -- expect a 30 minute delay (at minimum). A severe thunderstorm warning has been issued by the National Weather Service for the area. 

[Sep 4, 2025 at 10:26 pm ET · Garrett Podell]

Cowboys let Miles Sanders take an inside handoff, and he fumbles for game's first turnover

Dallas starting running back Javonte Williams has been cooking all night with 49 yards rushing and two touchdowns on 12 carries. The Cowboy opted to reward Sanders' long run to the outside with an inside carry, and he fumbled the football. Eagles cornerback Quinyon Mitchell recovered the loose ball for the game's first turnover. Philadelphia takes over at their own 16 up 24-20 with 4:44 in the third quarter. 

[Sep 4, 2025 at 10:17 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

Jalen Hurts and the Eagles offense were finally stopped, but not before Jake Elliott his a 58-yard FG to extend the lead to 24-20. Elliott has just 1 FG of 50+ yards last year and 1 FG of 50+ yards this year. Hurts was sacked by Marshawn Kneeland to stall the drive, the only time he couldn't get pout of the pocket. Dallas did a better job of closing the pocket on that drive. 

[Sep 4, 2025 at 9:51 pm ET · Garrett Podell]

Points abound in first half 

The Philadelphia Eagles (three) and the Dallas Cowboys (four) combined for seven drives in the first half. Points were scored on all seven. Two touchdowns and two field goals for Dallas and three touchdowns for Philadelphia. The Cowboys have already scored more points in the first half (20) against the Eagles than all of 2024 (13). It is certainly worth noting Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott was out for the season with a torn hamstring during Dallas' two games against Philadelphia in 2024. The Eagles have a 21-20 lead at the half, and they will start the third quarter with the football. 

[Sep 4, 2025 at 9:45 pm ET · Garrett Podell]

Cowboys run defense unchanged with Kenny Clark in place of Micah Parsons

The Philadelphia Eagles have more rushing touchdowns (three) than incompletions (two) tonight. Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts two rushing touchdowns off of scrambles (non-designed runs) are already tied for Hurts' single-game career-high. Hurts has 48 yards rushing and two touchdowns on six carries while running back Saquon Barkley is up to 49 yards rushing and a touchdown on 10 carries. The Eagles lead the Cowboys 21-17 with 27 seconds left in the first half. Philadelphia will start with the ball in the second half. 

[Sep 4, 2025 at 9:12 pm ET · Garrett Podell]

Dallas' pass rush struggling without Micah Parsons

Each of Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts' last three scrambles have gone for nine yards, nine yards and an eight-yard touchdown. The Cowboys are doing a decent job in coverage, but their defensive line isn't getting home to Hurts fast enough. Micah Parsons was fast enough to run Hurts down without spying, but it doesn't look like anyone on the current Cowboys' roster is at the moment. Game is tied at 14 with 6:46 left in the half. 

[Sep 4, 2025 at 9:07 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

Jalen Carter has the fastest ejection in an NFL game since Jeremiah Trotter in 2005.

Trotter was ejected in a pregame fight with Kevin Mathis in Week 1 on MNF against the Falcons.

Eagles fans certainly remember that one. They lost that game too. 

This one? Javonte Williams is gashing this defense up the middle to the tone of two rushing TDs. He only has 8 carries for 34 yards, but has been a battering ram in the red zone. 

[Sep 4, 2025 at 9:00 pm ET · Garrett Podell]

Cowboys capitalize on Jalen Carter's absence again near the goal line

Both of Cowboys running back Javonte Williams' one-yard rushing touchdowns have been right up the middle -- right where ejected Eagles Pro Bowl defensive tackle Jalen Carter would have been. Dallas couldn't have drawn up a better start for Brian Schottenheimer's debut as the team's head coach and offensive play caller. They lead 14-7 early in the second quarter. 

[Sep 4, 2025 at 8:47 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

Give credit to Kevin Patullo here, as Hurts lined up under center before rolling out on playaction. A new wrinkle to the Eagles, same with the misdirection snap where Saquon barkley gained 12 yards. Some new concepts to the Eagles offense on that opening drive.

[Sep 4, 2025 at 8:45 pm ET · Garrett Podell]

Dallas defense feels Micah Parsons' absence on Eagles' opening drive TD

The Cowboys surprisingly stuffed 2024 NFL Offensive Player of the Year running back Saquon Barkley for a loss of one on second and goal. On Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts' third down dropback, he had all day with All-Pro edge rusher Micah Parsons relaxing on his couch as a Green Bay Packer. That's why Hurts opted to take off and waltz into the end zone untouched for a four-yard rushing score via scramble. Dallas will need to use a QB spy on Hurts with Parsons now in Green Bay. 

[Sep 4, 2025 at 8:38 pm ET · Garrett Podell]

Cowboys take a quick 7-0 lead by taking full advantage of Jalen Carter's absence

Dallas instantly capitalized on Carter's absence to score an opening drive touchdown. Cowboys running back Javonte Williams racked up 11 yards on three carries, including the game's first touchdown from a yard out, by running up the middle. Williams' first carry up the middle on the game's first play from scrimmage went for seven yards. Those runs set up a third-and-1 play-action deep shot from Dak Prescott to CeeDee Lamb for a gain of 32 that set up the Cowboys on the Eagles' one. 

[Sep 4, 2025 at 8:31 pm ET · Garrett Podell]

Cowboys already taking advantage of Eagles DT Jalen Carter's absence

New Dallas lead running back Javonte Williams already has 10 yards rushing on two carries with both runs up the middle where Carter would have been. Carter's departure will be felt as a massive impact on this game all night long. 

[Sep 4, 2025 at 8:27 pm ET · Garrett Podell]

Eagles DT Jalen Carter ejected before game's first play from scrimmage

Philadelphia Eagles Pro Bowl defensive tackle Jalen Carter just got kicked out of tonight's game vs. the Dallas Cowboys. That's his punishment for walking up to Dallas QB Dak Prescott and spitting in his face right in front of the referee.   

[Sep 4, 2025 at 8:25 pm ET · Garrett Podell]

Cowboys QB Dak Prescott looks to continue clean play in Philadelphia

Prescott stunningly has never tuned the ball over at the Eagles in six career games in Philadelphia. He has 10 passing touchdowns and no turnovers in those six games. The Cowboys' record in those games is a reminder that football is a team game. Dallas is 3-3 in those six Prescott starts in Philadelphia.

[Sep 4, 2025 at 8:22 pm ET · Garrett Podell]

Eagles win coin toss, opt to kick off to Cowboys

Philadelphia won the coin toss, and they decided to defer to the second half. That means new Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer's offense led by quarterback Dak Prescott, wide receiver CeeDee Lamb and new wide receiver George Pickens will take the field first to begin the 2025 NFL season.

[Sep 4, 2025 at 8:22 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

The Eagles officially unveil their banner after Brandon Graham sings Fly Eagles Fly. 

[Sep 4, 2025 at 8:18 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

Both Lurie and Graham holding the Eagles Super bowl trophies. Graham makes a speech before the banner unveiling. 

[Sep 4, 2025 at 8:10 pm ET · Garrett Podell]

Here's why the Cowboys settled on Javonte Williams as their new RB1, what his workload could look like

Dallas surprised Williams by holding him out of the preseason to preserve his health as their starting running back. Here's why head coach Brian Schottenheimer and quarterback Dak Prescott have plenty of trust in "Valedictorian-Tae" entering Williams' first season with the Cowboys. 

Cowboys' Javonte Williams earned RB1 spot and trust of teammates and coaches, how will Dallas utilize him?

Garrett Podell

[Sep 4, 2025 at 8:06 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

I wouldn't count on this. The banner hasn't been raised yet. The countdown clock says 16 minutes, but 16 minutes to what? They are setting up the ceremony now. 

[Sep 4, 2025 at 8:00 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

Garrett Podell and I previewed Eagles-Cowboys on CBS Sports HQ.  Check it out here!