Eagles open 2025 season against Cowboys with banner night in Philadelphia
TOI World Desk | Sep 04, 2025, 22:08 IST
The Philadelphia Eagles open the 2025 NFL season with a prime-time rivalry clash against the Dallas Cowboys at Lincoln Financial Field. Before kickoff, the Eagles will raise their Super Bowl LIX championship banner, setting a celebratory but high-pressure stage. Philadelphia enters with strong continuity under defensive coordinator Vic Fangio and offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo, though a few starting roles remain unsettled. Dallas, meanwhile, faces injury concerns and lineup questions as Dak Prescott looks to lead the Cowboys against Jalen Hurts and a powerful Eagles roster. With divisional bragging rights, national spotlight, and season momentum at stake, this opener is set to be one of the NFL’s most anticipated games of the year.
The 2025 NFL season is finally here and the Philadelphia Eagles will get things underway on Thursday night by celebrating their recent Super Bowl win by hanging a new banner in Lincoln Financial Field ahead of the Week 1 opener against the Dallas Cowboys.
Usually rivalry matchups come later in a season, but the NFL scheduled them from the onset this year giving both teams a greater chance to be healthy and compete. The Cowboys are certainly dealing with several injuries as they approach this road game, but the Eagles have nearly their entire 53-man roster available.
The evening begins with celebration. Philadelphia, fresh off its decisive 40–6 Super Bowl victory over the Kansas City Chiefs, will unveil a new banner in front of a packed home crowd. Head coach Nick Sirianni has urged his players to treat the ceremony as a moment of pride but not a distraction. Quarterback Jalen Hurts echoed the sentiment, reminding reporters that while the Eagles respect what they accomplished, the real goal is defending the crown.
Unlike past seasons, the NFL is opening with divisional battles right out of the gate, ensuring both clubs arrive relatively healthy and energized. That means the spectacle is about more than raising a flag—it’s about setting the tone for the months ahead.
Philadelphia enters the new season with enviable continuity. Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio is back, offering rare stability after years of turnover. Offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo, long a familiar presence, is tasked with maximizing an attack that returns most of its starters. From Hurts at quarterback to Saquon Barkley in the backfield and a line anchored by veterans, the Eagles know who they are.
That doesn’t mean everything is settled. Three key starting positions—cornerback, linebacker, and safety—were left without official designations heading into Week 1. Adoree’ Jackson and Jakorian Bennett are still competing at corner. Rookie Jihaad Campbell is pushing Jeremiah Trotter Jr. at linebacker. And the safety spot opposite Reed Blankenship remains a battle between Sydney Brown and rookie Andrew Mukuba. Fangio insisted he knows the depth chart internally but sees no reason to reveal it yet.
For Dallas, the concerns are heavier. The Cowboys have been juggling injuries through training camp and enter the game without a few key contributors. Head coach Mike McCarthy has emphasized resilience, but facing the defending champions on the road is as steep a test as any. Dak Prescott shoulders the pressure to keep the Cowboys offense sharp while the defense works to adjust after an offseason of roster shifts.
As always in Eagles-Cowboys games, the battle in the trenches could decide the outcome. Philadelphia’s offensive line has been among the league’s best for years, and protecting Hurts against Dallas’ pass rush will be essential. Conversely, the Eagles’ front seven looks to exploit the Cowboys’ injury-weakened offensive line.
The quarterbacks are another storyline. Hurts is chasing his second MVP-level season, while Prescott, returning from injury setbacks, is eager to remind critics of his consistency. With the spotlight brighter than ever, each snap carries added weight.
This marks the 17th Eagles-Cowboys matchup featured on NBC’s Sunday Night Football franchise—more than any other pairing in its 20-year run. The stakes are bigger this year, not only because of the banner ceremony but because the NFC East is once again one of the league’s most competitive divisions. A Week 1 win could shape momentum for months to come.
Kickoff is scheduled for 8:20 p.m. ET on NBC, with streaming available on Peacock in both English and Spanish. Pregame festivities begin an hour earlier. Expect fireworks—both literal and figurative—as the NFL’s premier rivalry delivers another chapter.
For Eagles fans, it’s about savoring the memory of last season while embracing the challenges of a new campaign. For Cowboys fans, it’s a chance to spoil a party and send a message that they remain contenders in the NFC East. For everyone else, it’s the perfect way to welcome back football.
Usually rivalry matchups come later in a season, but the NFL scheduled them from the onset this year giving both teams a greater chance to be healthy and compete. The Cowboys are certainly dealing with several injuries as they approach this road game, but the Eagles have nearly their entire 53-man roster available.
Banner night sets the stage
The evening begins with celebration. Philadelphia, fresh off its decisive 40–6 Super Bowl victory over the Kansas City Chiefs, will unveil a new banner in front of a packed home crowd. Head coach Nick Sirianni has urged his players to treat the ceremony as a moment of pride but not a distraction. Quarterback Jalen Hurts echoed the sentiment, reminding reporters that while the Eagles respect what they accomplished, the real goal is defending the crown.
Unlike past seasons, the NFL is opening with divisional battles right out of the gate, ensuring both clubs arrive relatively healthy and energized. That means the spectacle is about more than raising a flag—it’s about setting the tone for the months ahead.
Stability versus questions
Philadelphia enters the new season with enviable continuity. Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio is back, offering rare stability after years of turnover. Offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo, long a familiar presence, is tasked with maximizing an attack that returns most of its starters. From Hurts at quarterback to Saquon Barkley in the backfield and a line anchored by veterans, the Eagles know who they are.
That doesn’t mean everything is settled. Three key starting positions—cornerback, linebacker, and safety—were left without official designations heading into Week 1. Adoree’ Jackson and Jakorian Bennett are still competing at corner. Rookie Jihaad Campbell is pushing Jeremiah Trotter Jr. at linebacker. And the safety spot opposite Reed Blankenship remains a battle between Sydney Brown and rookie Andrew Mukuba. Fangio insisted he knows the depth chart internally but sees no reason to reveal it yet.
For Dallas, the concerns are heavier. The Cowboys have been juggling injuries through training camp and enter the game without a few key contributors. Head coach Mike McCarthy has emphasized resilience, but facing the defending champions on the road is as steep a test as any. Dak Prescott shoulders the pressure to keep the Cowboys offense sharp while the defense works to adjust after an offseason of roster shifts.
Matchup to watch
As always in Eagles-Cowboys games, the battle in the trenches could decide the outcome. Philadelphia’s offensive line has been among the league’s best for years, and protecting Hurts against Dallas’ pass rush will be essential. Conversely, the Eagles’ front seven looks to exploit the Cowboys’ injury-weakened offensive line.
The quarterbacks are another storyline. Hurts is chasing his second MVP-level season, while Prescott, returning from injury setbacks, is eager to remind critics of his consistency. With the spotlight brighter than ever, each snap carries added weight.
A rivalry renewed
This marks the 17th Eagles-Cowboys matchup featured on NBC’s Sunday Night Football franchise—more than any other pairing in its 20-year run. The stakes are bigger this year, not only because of the banner ceremony but because the NFC East is once again one of the league’s most competitive divisions. A Week 1 win could shape momentum for months to come.
What fans need to know
Kickoff is scheduled for 8:20 p.m. ET on NBC, with streaming available on Peacock in both English and Spanish. Pregame festivities begin an hour earlier. Expect fireworks—both literal and figurative—as the NFL’s premier rivalry delivers another chapter.
For Eagles fans, it’s about savoring the memory of last season while embracing the challenges of a new campaign. For Cowboys fans, it’s a chance to spoil a party and send a message that they remain contenders in the NFC East. For everyone else, it’s the perfect way to welcome back football.