NFL 2025 season opener preview: How to watch Dallas Cowboys at Philadelphia Eagles, analysis and more
NFL Redzone, tailgates, T-shirt cannons, gridiron, flyovers and fantasy football can only mean one thing - the football season is back, and it's back with a bang.
Super Bowl champions the Philadelphia Eagles kickstart the new NFL season against fierce division rivals, the Dallas Cowboys, on Thursday Night football.
Here, Sports News Blitz’s NFL writer Finley Young takes a look at the season opener.
Life without Parsons
The Cowboys are preparing to start life without defensive star Micah Parsons, after his blockbuster trade to the Green Bay Packers last week, and no better or worse place to start than at the home of the current world champions.
Nick Sirianni is entering his fifth campaign as head coach of the Eagles and will be looking to continue his outstanding record with them.
Sirianni currently holds the highest career winning percentage for an active NFL coach with a record of 48-20.
Dallas, however, begin their first season with new head coach, Brian Schottenheimer, who was hired in January 2025.
Beam me up Schotty
Schotty, as they call him in Dallas, was promoted from his role as Offensive Coordinator at the Cowboys, and will be hoping he can improve their 7-10 record from last season.
It's a tough start for the Cowboys' head coach, Brian Schottenheimer, as the Eagles will be hoping for a third win in a row over their division rivals at Lincoln Field.
The Eagles demolished America’s team on both occasions last year, defeating them 34-6 and 41-7, respectively.
In fact, Philly have only lost five home games in the last three years, a stat Schotty will be keen to end.
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Dak is back
However, starting quarterback for the Cowboys, Dak Prescott, didn’t play in either game versus the Eagles last season, having suffered a season-ending hamstring tear in early November.
When fit, Prescott has a good record against the Eagles, defeating them nine out of the 13 attempts he has faced them.
So with Dak back, and the addition of George Pickens, who arrived in the summer trade with the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Cowboys may look to take advantage of the Eagles’ new-look defence.
The departed
Philly have lost a number of defensive starters this offseason, with Darius Slay, Josh Sweat, and Milton Williams all departing.
The dangerous trio of Prescott, Lamb and Pickens could harm the Eagles defence, but only if they can stop the formidable Eagles defensive line getting to Dak.
Jalen Carter, Zack Baun and Nolan Smith recorded a combined 31 TFLs in the regular season last year, and they will be hoping to continue that on their quest for back-to-back Super Bowl rings.
The scary thought for the Cowboys is that the Eagles also have firepower on offence.
Last season's league-leading running back, Saquon Barkley, will be hoping to carry on where he left off.
Record breaker
Barkley ran for a record-breaking 2,504 rushing yards on course to winning the Super Bowl with the Eagles, the first player to ever amass over 2,500 rushing yards in a single season.
He will be aiming to repeat his 2,000-yard performance, a feat never accomplished twice by any NFL player.
And he gives himself a good chance too, as the Eagles have a mostly unchanged offence and are expected to maintain their run-heavy, “tush push” strategy under new offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo.
Barkley is also facing a Cowboys team that allowed the most rushing touchdowns (25) and the fourth most yards on the ground last season, a statistic Barkley must fancy himself to take advantage of.
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Wrecking ball
Super Bowl-winning quarterback Jalen Hurts will be feeling relieved he doesn’t have to face wrecking ball defensive end Micah Parsons after his trade to the Packers.
Without Parsons, the Cowboys may struggle to generate pressure on Hurts, allowing him more time to find A.J. Brown and Devonta Smith for big yardage gains.
Both teams will be looking to get the upper hand on their divisional rivals and lay down a marker for the new season.
It’s certainly going to be a fascinating watch, and what a way for the journey to Super Bowl LX to begin.
What time does the Dallas Cowboys at the Philadelphia Eagles kick off?
The game is scheduled for Thursday, September 4 at 8:20pm for US viewers - and Friday, September 5 at 1:20am for UK viewers.
Where can I watch the game?
In the UK, it is available to watch on Sky Sports NFL or DAZN.
Where is the game being played?
The game will take place at Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, PA.
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