Context:

The Philadelphia Eagles are reportedly set to open the 2025 NFL season against the Dallas Cowboys, marking their first NFC East opponent in a season opener since 2020. This potential matchup, leaked prior to the official schedule announcement, would see the Eagles raising their Super Bowl LIX championship banner at Lincoln Financial Field. It would be unusual for the NFL to start the season with a divisional game, a practice not seen since 2012 when the New York Giants faced the Cowboys. Despite the unofficial nature of the leak, the allure of the Dallas market and the storylines surrounding both teams make this a compelling choice. If confirmed, this game would overshadow other potential exciting matchups, such as the Eagles facing the Los Angeles Rams or Detroit Lions, or an NFC Championship rematch against the Washington Commanders.

Dive Deeper:

• The Philadelphia Eagles may open the 2025 NFL season against their NFC East rivals, the Dallas Cowboys, as per a leaked schedule, which would be their first divisional opener since 2020.

• If the leak is accurate, the Eagles will celebrate their Super Bowl LIX victory by raising the championship banner at Lincoln Financial Field with the Cowboys present.

• This potential matchup would be a surprise, as the NFL typically avoids divisional games for the Thursday night season opener, a practice not seen since the Giants-Cowboys game in 2012.

• The Dallas market's appeal and the intriguing storylines, such as new head coach Brian Schottenheimer and newly acquired George Pickens, contribute to the game's attractiveness.

• While the leak remains unofficial, the Eagles-Cowboys opener would eclipse other potential games like those against the Rams, Lions, or an NFC Championship rematch with the Commanders.

• The Eagles last faced a losing-record team in a season opener in 2017, making the potential choice of the Cowboys, who had a similar prior situation in 2021, a notable decision.

• Anticipation builds as fans await the official schedule announcement, with the potential for an exciting start to the NFL season if the Eagles-Cowboys game is confirmed.

• 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 — the NFL won’t make its full 18-week, 272-game slate official until Wednesday night — the Eagles will raise their Super Bowl LIX championship banner with Jerry Jones and the rival Dallas Cowboys in the house. 

• While still unofficial, this would be a surprise opening night pick. 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.

• MORE: Eagles 2025 schedule release tracker: Latest rumors, leaks on Philadelphia's full 18-week slate

• 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 would be tons of pregame 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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• If the NFL does confirm Eagles-Cowboys as the opener, it would be passing 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?

• There’s enough working against this reported schedule leak that it’s worth staying wary until Wednesday night. But at the same time, if Dallas is the pick, no one should be surprised.

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