Context:

The NFL has scheduled the Philadelphia Eagles to host the Dallas Cowboys for their Super Bowl banner-raising ceremony, a decision that has sparked discontent among some Cowboys insiders. RJ Ochoa of SB Nation criticizes this move as 'particularly cruel' due to the Cowboys' long-standing Super Bowl drought and the fact that they were also chosen for a similar event in 2021 against the Buccaneers. The Eagles, having won their second title in eight years, will face a Cowboys team marked as 6.5-point underdogs, highlighting the challenge ahead. This game selection comes despite other potential rematches, emphasizing the spectacle of the NFL's schedule release. The anticipation of this matchup has been heightened by Cowboys player Micah Parsons' enthusiastic social media post, signaling the team's readiness to tackle the challenge.

Dive Deeper:

• The NFL has arranged for the Philadelphia Eagles to raise their Super Bowl banner during a game against the Dallas Cowboys, a situation some consider unfavorable for Dallas, particularly given their extended 28-year Super Bowl absence.

• RJ Ochoa from SB Nation describes the NFL's decision as 'particularly cruel' for making the Cowboys witness the Eagles' celebratory event, drawing parallels to a similar instance in 2021 when Dallas faced Tom Brady's Buccaneers.

• Despite other potential high-profile matchups, such as games against the Washington Commanders or the Los Angeles Rams, the NFL specifically chose Dallas to face Philadelphia, possibly due to the heightened rivalry and spectacle it promises.

• The Cowboys are entering the game as 6.5-point underdogs, a reflection of the challenging task at hand, especially since the Eagles have won four of their last five encounters at Lincoln Financial Field.

• Micah Parsons, a key player for the Cowboys, expressed a determined attitude on social media by posting a picture of the matchup with the phrase 'Yeah yea let’s ball,' indicating the team's eagerness and competitive spirit despite the odds.

• The Philadelphia Eagles will kick-off their Super Bowl defense against the Dallas Cowboys on the first Thursday of the 2025 NFL regular season, the NFL confirmed on Monday.

• Not everyone is thrilled about the league’s decision for opening night, however. 

• Cowboys insider RJ Ochoa of SB Nation, for example, called it “particularly cruel” that the NFL is making Dallas travel to Lincoln Financial Field, where Jerry Jones and Co. will have no choice but to watch Philly’s pre-game banner-raising ceremony. This will actually be the second such night in five years for the Cowboys, who were sent to Tampa Bay to open against Tom Brady and the Buccaneers to open the 2021 season.

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• Philadelphia will hit another level of pain, though, as Dallas is in the midst of a 28-year Super Bowl drought. The Eagles are celebrating their second title in eight years.

• “It is particularly cruel to make the Cowboys be present when the Eagles will raise a Super Bowl banner,” Ochoa wrote. “But if this, and the behavior of Eagles fans in the fanfare of it all, doesn't serve as motivation for the Cowboys organization... nothing ever will.”

• Ochoa added that Dallas has opened as 6.5-point road underdogs for opening night, illustrating what will be a daunting task. The Eagles swept last year’s season series with the Cowboys, and have won four of their last five meetings against Dallas at Lincoln Financial Field.

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• The NFL will release its full 18-week, 272-game schedule on Wednesday night, but leaks like this have become part of the spectacle. The league chose Dallas as Philly’s Week 1 opponent over potential playoff rematches with the Washington Commanders and Los Angeles Rams, as well as last year’s No. 1-seeded Detroit Lions. 

• Will the Cowboys answer the call? Superstar Micah Parsons posted a picture outlining the matchup on his Instagram story, accompanied by a four-word message: “Yeah yea let’s ball.”

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