The Dallas Cowboys opened the 2025 NFL season with a hard-fought 24-20 road loss to the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles on Thursday, September 4, at Lincoln Financial Field. In a chaotic, rivalry-fueled affair that included an ejection before the first snap and a severe thunderstorm delay lasting over an hour, Dallas showed resilience under new head coach Brian Schottenheimer but fell short due to critical offensive miscues in the fourth quarter, surprisingly involving veteran players. Despite the defeat, the Cowboys kept the game close, trailing by just four points late and holding Philly to just 3 points in the second half.

Heated from Kickoff

The game kicked off with drama. Eagles DT Jalen Carter was ejected for unsportsmanlike conduct after spitting on QB Dak Prescott during a delay for an Eagles fullback injury on the opening kickoff. Dallas capitalized immediately, marching 53 yards for a 1-yard TD run by RB Javonte Williams, but the Eagles responded with TDs from QB Jalen Hurts (rushing and passing) and added a Saquon Barkley score to build a 21-17 lead. Kicker Brandon Aubrey’s 53-yard field goal cut it to 21-20 at the half.

The second half turned into a defensive battle, with Dallas’ unit coordinated by new DC Matt Eberflus shutting down Philly and generating the game’s only sack (by DE Marshawn Kneeland on Hurts). However, the Cowboys’ offense stalled failing on key drives, including a fourth-down incompletion to WR CeeDee Lamb with under two minutes left. A fumble by RB Miles Sanders near the goal line earlier handed Philly a turnover and prevented the Cowboys from added another score.

Statistically, Dallas edged Philly in total yards (307-302) and first downs (22-20) but struggled in the red zone (1 TD on 3 trips) and on third downs (7-of-11 vs. Philly’s 8-of-13). The loss highlights areas of growth for a rebuilding Cowboys squad, but it also exposed familiar issues like dropped passes and run defense problems.

The Cowboys’ offense, led by Prescott in his return from a 2024 hamstring injury, showed flashes of explosiveness but faltered in clutch moments, going scoreless after halftime. They leaned on a balanced attack early but couldn’t sustain drives against Philly’s stout defense, which was without ejected star Jalen Carter.

Cowboys Offensive Breakdown

• Passing Game (188 yards, 21/34, 0 INT, 92.5 rating): Prescott was sharp overall, completing 62% of passes for 6.6 yards per attempt with no turnovers, but the unit went stagnant late. He connected with CeeDee Lamb for a key 32-yard gain on the opening drive, but three fourth-quarter drops by Lamb—including a third-and-10, a potential 40-yard red-zone bomb, and the game-ending fourth-down heave—killed momentum. Lamb finished with 5 catches for 78 yards but owned the mistakes post-game: “No mincing words… I let the team down.” New star addition WR George Pickens debuted with flashes (3 rec, 42 yards), including a contested grab. TE Jake Ferguson added 4 catches for 35 yards, providing a reliable safety valve.
• Rushing Game (119 yards, 5.4 avg., 2 TD): This was a bright spot, as Dallas broke out of their 2024 rut (just 6 rushing TDs all season). Javonte Williams, the lead back, exploded for 88 yards and 2 TDs on 12 carries (both on the first two drives), marking the first multi-rush TD game for a Cowboy since 2023. Miles Sanders chipped in 53 yards but fumbled inside the 5-yard line late in the first half, costing a potential TD. The O-line, with rookie Tyler Booker (RG) and Tyler Guyton (LT) starting, held up decently (1 sack allowed), protecting Prescott on 5.3 yards per play. Prescott noted post-game: “A lot to grow from, but the line gave me time.”

Cowboys Defensive Breakdown

With the Cowboys trading star Micah Parsons, the post-Parsons era defense started shaky, allowing three quick TDs and 158 rushing yards. In the second half they rebounded dramatically, holding Philly to just a field goal, and generating 42.4% pressure rate. Eberflus shifted from base four-man rushes to blitz-heavy schemes post-delay, which flustered Hurts (1 sack, multiple hurried throws).

• Pass Rush/Front Seven: Acquired DT Kenny Clark debuted with 5 tackles (2 solo), anchoring the interior and helping limit Barkley to 60 yards on 18 carries (3.3 avg.). DE Marshawn Kneeland notched the only sack (on Hurts) and 3 tackles in 30 snaps, emerging as a post-Parsons bright spot. DE Sam Williams (returning from 2024 ACL/MCL tears) added 5 tackles (3 solo) in 39 snaps, while DE Dante Fowler had 2 tackles in limited action.
• Secondary/Coverage: CB DaRon Bland (fresh off injury) played all 63 snaps with 3 tackles, splitting slot/outside duties effectively. Returning CB Trevon Diggs (post-knee surgery) played 27 snaps, held up well in coverage, and had 1 tackle. S Malik Hooker co-led with 9 tackles (4 solo) in 63 snaps, while S Donovan Wilson added 1 tackle but played every snap. The unit forced two punts and a missed FG in the fourth, but the offense was unable to capitalize.

Special Teams Breakdown

Kicker Brandon Aubrey was a perfect 2/2 on FGs, including a 53-yarder. Punter Bryan Anger averaged 48 yards on 4 punts (1 inside 20). Returner KaVontae Turpin had a 28-yard return but was mostly unable to find open space.

Coaching Breakdown

The debut for Head Coach Brian Schottenheimer was promising: Aggressive calls led to early TDs, but no moral victories per the HC. “We gave them all they could handle, but that’s not enough.” DC Matt Eberflus made effective halftime adjustments after a slow start. As key injured defensive personnel returning throughout the season the defense should continue to improve.

Optimism Moving Forward

• Ground Game: Williams’ 2 TDs shows a power running game Dallas hasn’t seen in recent seasons. Backfield depth (with Williams, Sanders, and Blue) could be a weapon going forward.
• Second-Half Defense: 3 points allowed vs. Super Bowl champs is eye opening. Newly acquired Kenny Clark’s impact was immediate in stopping the run.
• Prescott’s Performance: No INTs, efficient under duress; O-line held firm. Key drops by Lamb and a Redzone fumble by Sanders hurt his overall stats.

New Outlook for 2025?

Like Coach Schottenheimer said, No moral victories, but this game proved Dallas can compete with the elites. If the Cowboys can cut down on the drops and fumbles going forward, the talent to compete seems to be there.

Next up: Hosting the New York Giants on Sept. 14 (1:00 PM ET, FOX). A win there (Prescott has won 13-straight vs NYG) gives them momentum before a Week 3 homecoming game for Coach Eberflus at the Chicago Bears.

“Cowboy Regg” – Co-Host of the “Sons of the Star” Podcast. The podcast is available on X, Apple, YouTube, and Spotify. 

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