Winners and losers of NFL opener between Eagles and Cowboys: star Jalen Carter spat on lightning … 2025
Thursday night’s highly anticipated matchup between the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles and NFC East rival Dallas Cowboys at Lincoln Financial Field had everything—drama, controversy, and even a weather delay.
The night opened with the unveiling of the Eagles’ championship banner, but it quickly turned chaotic with a Pro Bowler ejected before the first play and a lightning storm that paused the game for over an hour.
A key storyline was the absence of Micah Parsons,
the Cowboys’ defensive standout, after his stunning trade to the Green Bay Packers just last week.
Despite the shake-up, both teams fought hard, with the Eagles narrowly securing a 24-20 victory after being favored by more than a touchdown.
Although this was only the first of the NFL’s 272 regular-season games, the spectacle delivered plenty of moments worth breaking down. Here’s a look at the winners and losers from Thursday night’s season opener.
WinnersJalen Hurts and Dak Prescott
Two of the NFL’s most prominent quarterbacks entered Week 1 under the radar. But both delivered.
Jalen Hurts, coming off his Super Bowl 59 MVP performance, delivered an impressive showing with efficient passing and two rushing touchdowns, reinforcing his reputation as one of the NFL’s most dangerous dual-threat quarterbacks.
Dak Prescott, returning from a serious hamstring injury that sidelined him for the last nine games of 2024, commanded the Cowboys’ offense with confidence.
While he fell short in the fourth quarter,
many of his key playmakers failed to capitalize when it mattered. Still, seeing Prescott in near postseason form this early is a positive sign for Dallas.
Cowboys’ Run Game
In the previous season, the Dallas Cowboys’ rushing attack struggled, finishing 27th in the NFL with an average of only 100.3 yards per game. On Thursday, they showed real progress—posting 119 yards on the ground at 5.4 yards per carry. Newly signed Javonte Williams scored multiple touchdowns for only the second time in his career, though a costly third-quarter fumble by Miles Sanders hurt momentum.
Mother Nature
Football might be a “play-through-anything” sport, but weather had other ideas. With 4:44 left in the third quarter, a lightning strike near Lincoln Financial Field forced a 63-minute delay.
Neither team scored after the stoppage. Coincidentally, the Philadelphia Eagles also experienced a weather delay in their Week 1 opener seven years ago, right after their Super Bowl 52 victory. Coincidentally, the Cowboys faced similar weather issues in Pennsylvania last year during a matchup in Pittsburgh.
Boyz II Men
The legendary Philly R&B group delivered a memorable national anthem performance while honoring Eagles greats Brian Dawkins, Jerome Brown, and Reggie White—a moment fans won’t forget.
Losersalen Carter
Philadelphia’s star defensive tackle didn’t even last one play. Carter was ejected before the first snap for spitting on Prescott’s jersey during a timeout.
The incident forced Eagles security chief “Big Dom”
DiSandro to escort him off the field. Losing Carter severely weakened an Eagles defense already dealing with offseason departures and the retirement of DE Brandon Graham. With the NFL reviewing the situation, Carter could face additional suspension.
The Philadelphia Eagles’ dramatic 24-20 victory over the Dallas Cowboys wasn’t just about the scoreboard.
From Jalen Carter’s ejection to shaky defensive performances and questionable roster decisions, both teams walked away with storylines that extend far beyond Week 1.
Jalen Carter’s Spitting Incident Overshadows Eagles’ Win
Philadelphia defensive tackle Jalen Carter admitted fault after being ejected for spitting on Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott.
The stunning incident happened before the opening snap, forcing the Philadelphia Eagles to play the rest of the game without their star defensive lineman.While Philadelphia managed to escape with a win, Carter’s absence clearly impacted the team’s defense and could result in further disciplinary action from the NFL.
Cowboys Run Defense Exposed
While the Dallas Cowboys showed promise on offense, their run defense fell apart—a troubling sign for owner Jerry Jones, who has long stressed run-stopping as a key priority.
Ironically, that emphasis was cited as one of the reasons behind the shocking Micah Parsons trade to the Green Bay Packers in exchange for defensive tackle Kenny Clark and two first-round draft picks.The Eagles gashed the Cowboys for 158 rushing yards and all three touchdowns on the ground, exposing a glaring weakness in Dallas’ new-look defense.
Georgia Bulldogs’ Rough Night in Philly
The Eagles’ roster is loaded with former Georgia Bulldogs, a pipeline that has been critical to their Super Bowl 59 success. However, Thursday was far from a banner night for the Athens alumni:
Jalen Carter was ejected before the first snap.
Nolan Smith committed two costly 15-yard penalties for taunting and roughing.
Jordan Davis and Kelee Ringo had little impact.
Azeez Ojulari was inactive.
For a group that has been considered the foundation of Philadelphia’s defense, Week 1 was a major setback.
DUDE Wipes Sponsorship Falls Flat
The Eagles’ famous “Tush Push” quarterback sneak now has a presenting sponsor in DUDE Wipes, but the partnership barely made an appearance. Philadelphia didn’t run the play until the fourth quarter and never needed it to score touchdowns. The marketing campaign’s debut fell flat on opening night.
Readmore Monthly Repayment Schedule and Installments Plan PM E-Bike Scheme 2025
Mazi Smith’s Concerning Inactivity
Former first-round pick Mazi Smith was a healthy scratch for Dallas, raising serious questions about his future. NBC analyst Cris Collinsworth noted during the broadcast that being inactive at this stage is “about as close to being cut as you can be.” With the Cowboys desperate for run-stopping help, Smith’s lack of contribution could mark the end of his tenure in Dallas.
Philly’s Secondary Struggles
Multiple pass interference calls extended Dallas drives, while safety Reed Blankenship delivered a dangerous hit on TE Jake Ferguson in the end zone. These lapses highlight just how much the defensive line sets the tone for the Eagles’ entire defense.
A.J. Brown Held in Check
Star wideout A.J. Brown managed only one catch for 8 yards, raising concerns about his lingering hamstring injury. Head coach Nick Sirianni credited Dallas’ defensive scheme and game flow for limiting Brown’s opportunities. Still, his late-game reception helped Philadelphia close out the victory.
CeeDee Lamb Delivers, But With Costly Drops
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb delivered a strong performance, recording seven receptions for 110 yards. Fantasy football owners will be satisfied, but Lamb’s key drops hurt Prescott and the Cowboys in critical moments, ultimately costing Dallas a chance to steal the win.
Jerry Jones Faces More Heat
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has been under fire for weeks after mishandling Micah Parsons’ contract negotiations and then trading him away. Although rookie head coach Brian Schottenheimer showed glimpses of potential in his debut, Jerry Jones’ controversial decisions continued to overshadow the team.
