The season opener between the Dallas Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles on September 4, 2025, at Lincoln Financial Field is more than just a Week 1 clash—it’s a renewal of one of the NFL’s fiercest rivalries and a test of whether Dallas’s offseason reset can close the gap on the reigning Super Bowl champions. The Eagles enter as 6.5-point home favorites fresh off their Super Bowl LIX title and an 18-win season that saw them dominate both sides of the ball with a top-three scoring defense and an MVP-caliber campaign from quarterback Jalen Hurts. They return their core from last season, including Hurts, DeVonta Smith, A.J. Brown, and new addition Saquon Barkley, alongside a retooled but still dangerous defense led by Darius Slay and a rising crop of young defenders. The Cowboys, meanwhile, are coming off a disappointing 7–10 finish and a complete overhaul in leadership, promoting Brian Schottenheimer to head coach and hoping for a fresh start with a healthy Dak Prescott back under center. Prescott missed both games against Philadelphia last year due to injury—games that resulted in a combined 75–13 beatdown in favor of the Eagles—but his return brings needed stability and the hope of competitiveness, especially with offseason addition George Pickens lining up alongside CeeDee Lamb. Still, Dallas will face an uphill climb against a team that thrives at home in prime time, with the Eagles boasting a 15–5 record in season openers over the last two decades and a fan base that turns Lincoln Financial Field into one of the loudest venues in football.

The matchup will likely hinge on several key factors: whether Prescott can withstand the Eagles’ relentless pass rush, whether Dallas’s offensive line—featuring rookie Tyler Booker—can hold up against Philly’s front seven, and if the Cowboys’ defense can generate takeaways against a low-mistake offense. Philly will aim to control the tempo by establishing the run with Barkley, forcing Dallas into a time-of-possession deficit and then unleashing its blitz-heavy packages to create pressure and potential turnovers. For Dallas to stay within striking distance, they’ll need to avoid the early-game collapses that plagued them last year, capitalize on any red zone trips, and hope for an inspired defensive performance from Micah Parsons and Trevon Diggs to contain Philly’s weapons. With an over/under set at 46.5, oddsmakers anticipate a moderately paced game that favors balanced attacks and disciplined execution, which could benefit Philadelphia given their continuity and proven championship formula. Ultimately, while the Eagles have the edge in nearly every category—coaching stability, recent performance, roster depth, and quarterback momentum—the Cowboys have the wild card of unpredictability with Prescott’s return and a new coaching staff with nothing to lose. Whether that proves enough to pull off a Week 1 stunner remains to be seen, but Dallas will need its best version from the opening whistle to avoid a repeat of last year’s lopsided results. In a rivalry that rarely disappoints in drama, Thursday night could either signal a changing of the NFC East tide or reinforce Philadelphia’s continued reign over the division and the conference.