Eagles Grind Out Chaotic Week 1 Win Over Cowboys
The Philadelphia Eagles opened the 2025 NFL season at home and won, but their performance was anything but routine. From an ejection on the opening kickoff to a mid-game weather delay, the night was filled with twists that tested the team’s resilience.
Early Chaos: Carter Ejected Before First Snap
The game took a bizarre turn almost immediately when linebacker Ben VanSumeren was injured on the opening kickoff, forcing an early stoppage. Tensions escalated moments later as Dak Prescott spat on the ground in front of rookie standout Jalen Carter. In the heat of the exchange, Carter responded and spat back at Prescott, resulting in his ejection before he played a single snap.
Losing Carter, arguably the Eagles’ best defensive player, was a massive blow. Without him, Dallas averaged 5.4 yards per carry and controlled stretches of the ground game. The Eagles were forced to lean heavily on their defensive line depth. Jordan Davis took on an expanded role, logging snaps in obvious passing downs, something he rarely did a year ago. While Davis showed flashes by creating pressure, he couldn’t finish plays with sacks.
Defensive Standouts and Costly Penalties
Philadelphia’s defense was a mixed bag. They dropped multiple interception opportunities that could have swung momentum and saw standout performances. Zach Baun posted 9 tackles, a tackle for loss, and a key pass deflection while saving a touchdown by chasing down Miles Sanders. That effort set up the Eagles’ lone turnover of the night. Rookie Jihaad Campbell also impressed, tallying 3 tackles and a pass breakup while earning the highest PFF grade of the game (88.3). Fellow rookie Andrew Mukuba contributed solid coverage and four tackles.
Still, the defense lacked discipline. The Eagles committed nine penalties for 110 yards, repeatedly extending Cowboys drives and gifting points.
Secondary Questions
One of the biggest preseason concerns was the cornerback spot opposite Quinyon Mitchell. Adoree’ Jackson got the start and struggled early but settled into the game as it progressed. Late in the contest, the Eagles shifted Mitchell onto CeeDee Lamb, a move many expected from the start. The adjustment slowed Dallas’ star receiver and provided a fresh look defensively.
Weather Delay and Conservative Playcalling
Momentum briefly swung Philadelphia’s way following their lone turnover, but a sudden weather delay stalled the energy inside the stadium. After play resumed, the Eagles’ offensive playcalling grew conservative, focused more on draining the clock than extending the lead. That approach kept the game tighter than necessary and placed additional pressure on the defense.
Offense: Hurts Steps Up, Stars Stay Quiet
Dallas limited Saquon Barkley to 60 yards on 18 carries, and the Eagles’ offensive line took a hit when guard Landon Dickerson exited in the fourth quarter with an injury. His absence was noticeable, and the team will be hoping he won’t miss significant time.
Jalen Hurts, however, rose to the challenge. He finished 19-of-23 for 152 yards and added 62 rushing yards with two scrambling touchdowns. While the passing numbers weren’t flashy, Hurts’ command of the offense and ability to extend plays with his legs proved decisive. This was one of his stronger performances, even if the stat sheet didn’t fully capture his impact.
The bigger concern was the lack of involvement from star receivers A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith. Brown managed just one catch for 8 yards, while Smith hauled in three receptions for 16 yards. The Eagles never found a rhythm getting their top weapons the ball, though Hurts deserves credit for not forcing throws that could have led to turnovers.
Final Thoughts
The Eagles escaped with a Week 1 victory, but the performance fell short of expectations. Between Carter’s early ejection, a disruptive weather delay, and sloppy penalties, Philadelphia could never settle into its typical dominance. Still, there were positives—Hurts’ leadership, the emergence of rookies like Campbell and Mukuba, and resilience in the face of adversity.
If the Eagles can improve their discipline and involve their star receivers more, this team still looks capable of another deep playoff run.
