The Philadelphia Eagles haven’t faced an NFC East opponent in Week 1 of the regular season since their 2020 opener, but that could change when the NFL officially kicks-off the 2025 season on Thursday, Sept. 4, at Lincoln Financial Field.
Per a Sunday night schedule leak — and confirmed Monday morning by multiple NFL insiders, including ESPN’s Adam Schefter — the Eagles will raise their Super Bowl LIX championship banner with Jerry Jones and the rival Dallas Cowboys in the house.
This pick is somewhat of a surprise opening night pick, as the NFL has made it a point to avoid divisional opponents in the Thursday night season opener. The last time it happened was in 2012, when the then-Super Bowl champion New York Giants opened with — who else? — the Cowboys in East Rutherford.
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It’s also rare for a team with a losing record the prior year to be picked. It’s only happened one time since Philadelphia’s last SB championship in 2017 — and it was once again Dallas, in Dak Prescott’s return from a gruesome ankle injury vs. Tom Brady and the Buccaneers to kick-off the 2021 season.
OK, nevermind. We can see the pattern here.
The draw of the Dallas market can’t be denied, and there will be tons of pre-game fodder from new head coach Brian Schottenheimer, to the newly acquired George Pickens, to Dallas’ 28-year Super Bowl drought and this Eagles team that’s now standing firmly in their way. There’s enough star power, talent and storylines there to fill five separate broadcasts.
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The NFL did pass on some other potential beauties. Both the L.A. Rams and Detroit Lions are on Philly’s home schedule this season and would make for a fantastic matchup with ties to last year’s postseason. Also, if we’re going with an NFC East team, why not pick the Washington Commanders for an NFC Championship rematch in Game 1 of the season?
Nonetheless, Dak, CeeDee, Pickens, Parsons and Jerry are the pick to take on the reigning Super Bowl champs on opening night, no one should be surprised.
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