The NFL schedule makers are sending the Dallas Cowboys to Philadelphia on opening night of the 2025 regular season, and the way-too-early betting odds favor the reigning Super Bowl champions.
Per Cowboys insider RJ Ochoa of SB Nation, Dallas has opened as a 6.5-point underdog for the Week 1 game, which will be played against the Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on Thursday, Sept. 4 (8:20 p.m. EST). Philly will get the satisfaction of raising its SBLIX banner prior to kickoff, an annual tradition that won’t be fun for Jerry Jones, the Cowboys and their 28-year Super Bowl drought.
MORE: Eagles 2025 schedule release tracker: Latest rumors, leaks on Philadelphia's full 18-week slate
While the night will feature plenty of fun storylines — like the return of Dak Prescott from last year’s season-ending hamstring injury, the Dallas debut of wide receiver George Pickens, and Game 1 of the Brian Schottenheimer era — recent history suggests an uphill battle for the Cowboys at the Linc. The Eagles have won four of their last five games against Dallas in Philly, including their last three meetings there, and roasted the Cowboys twice in 2024 by a combined score of 75-13.
The NFL’s annual season kick-off game was leaked on Sunday night and confirmed by the league on Monday morning. The NFL had avoided divisional opponents in this spot for the past 12 years, as the last time it happened was back in 2012, when the then-Super Bowl champion New York Giants opened against Dallas in East Rutherford.
The league is banking on its biggest market to give the Eagles a battle on opening night, choosing Dallas over other intriguing options like the Detroit Lions and Los Angeles Rams. If this is indeed a new and improved Cowboys operation, a Thursday night statement in Philly to kick-off the 2025 season would be quite the coming out party.
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