NFL
By: Mark T. Wilson
The Philadelphia Eagles will raise their Championship Banner this Thursday in the first game of the 2025 NFL season at home against their rival, the Dallas Cowboys. The Eagles are looking to repeat as champs with pretty much the same core, while the Cowboys are looking to wash the stink off a troublesome offseason that saw their best defense player get traded.
The quest starts now for the Birds as Jalen Hurts and company look to get off to a great start. The Cowboys are looking to just remain healthy and put the doubters to rest that they will be the weak link in the NFC East. No matter the records, this is still a rivalry game where anything can happen.
Here are 3 keys to victory for the Philadelphia Eagles against the Dallas Cowboys.
Jump Early
For most teams, this is always important. You have to start strong. The Eagles must come out swinging and jump to an early lead. This is their first game following their Super Bowl win, and it’s against their rival at that. The Cowboys have had an eventful offseason, and now is the time to show them they are not on the Eagles’ level yet.
By hitting on all cylinders early, it will force the Cowboys to rely on the arm of Dak Prescott, who is playing his first regular-season game since he went down early last season. Apply pressure early and make the Cowboys one-dimensional, but also get in their heads early. The team is already fragile.
Attack Dak Prescott
We all know what happened in the Super Bowl. Vic Fangio did not blitz the Kansas City Chiefs one time and still managed 6 sacks. Scratch that plan, with Dak Prescott playing his first meaningful game in almost a year, Fangio should let the dawgs loose.
For the Cowboys to see what they have under center, Prescott has to prove he can be that guy under pressure. The Eagles have the players to get into the backfield, and Fangio can’t be afraid to blitz. If Prescott shows hesitation, this could be a long day for the Cowboys’ offense.
Stay The Course
The Philadelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys are opening the 2025 NFL season on a national stage. For rivals, that doesn’t mean much. But this is a team that has been pegged to begin their own dynasty march, and a team looking to erase all the bad vibes that have occurred since last season. On the Eagles’ side, it’s a bit more relaxed.
A big majority of the NFL world, for whatever insane reason, has the Cowboys missing the playoffs this season. The Eagles, on the other hand, must stay focused and not allow the media and fans to get in their heads. It’s one game at a time. They cannot repeat their championship by beating the Cowboys in Week 1. Nic Sirianni and the rest of the vets for the Eagles must make sure everyone has their heads in the game and is not focused on February.
