The NFL’s 2025 season kicked off with all the drama you could ask for—early ejections, weather delays, lead changes, and a nail-biting finish. The Philadelphia Eagles held off the Dallas Cowboys in a 24–20 victory that set the tone for another heated NFC East rivalry battle.
Final
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
PIT
|
0 | 10 | 3 | 6 | 19 |
|
CAR
|
3 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
A Stunning Start: Carter Ejected After 6 Seconds
Before fans even had time to settle in, the game produced its first headline. Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter was ejected just six seconds into the contest after spitting on Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott. Officials called it a “non-football act,” leaving Philadelphia without its most dominant interior lineman for nearly the entire game.
The shocking ejection gave Dallas an early opening, and they capitalized by moving the ball efficiently in the first quarter.
Back-and-Forth Scoring Battle
Both teams traded blows throughout the night:
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Cowboys RB Javonte Williams powered in for two rushing touchdowns, providing Dallas with multiple leads.
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Eagles QB Jalen Hurts responded with his legs, recording two rushing TDs to keep Philly in the fight.
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RB Saquon Barkley, making his Eagles debut, added a crucial touchdown that ultimately swung momentum toward Philadelphia.
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The Cowboys’ undoing came late, when CeeDee Lamb dropped two critical passes—one of them on 4th down during a potential game-winning drive.
Lightning Strikes—Literally
As if the game didn’t already have enough chaos, the action was paused in the third quarter due to lightning in the area. The delay disrupted rhythm and tested both teams’ mental toughness. When play resumed, the Eagles adjusted better, controlling the clock and forcing Dallas into tough passing situations.
Standout Performers
| Player | Performance |
|---|---|
| Jalen Hurts (Eagles) | 2 rushing TDs, showcased leadership and playmaking under pressure. |
| Saquon Barkley (Eagles) | 1 TD, provided balance and explosiveness in the backfield. |
| Javonte Williams (Cowboys) | 2 rushing TDs, kept Dallas’ offense alive. |
| CeeDee Lamb (Cowboys) | Costly drops in key moments, a major factor in Dallas’ loss. |
Tactical Takeaways
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Eagles’ resilience: Overcoming the absence of Jalen Carter highlighted Philly’s depth and ability to win ugly.
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Cowboys’ missed opportunities: While Williams was a bright spot, execution failed in crunch time—a familiar storyline for Dallas.
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Rivalry fire: From the opening whistle to the final snap, this game proved the NFC East remains one of the NFL’s fiercest divisions.
What It Means Moving Forward
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Philadelphia Eagles: A statement win to begin their Super Bowl title defense. Even in chaos, they found ways to close.
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Dallas Cowboys: A tough loss filled with “what-ifs.” If Lamb hauls in those catches, the result could have flipped. Cleaning up execution will be critical heading into Week 2.