The wait is over. After six months without football, the NFL regular season is back. And the league isn’t easing fans in — it’s throwing them straight into the fire.
More About the Thursday Night Opener
Thursday night’s game is a big one: The defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles host the Dallas Cowboys in a prime-time rivalry clash to kick off the 2025 season.
Kickoff is set for 8:20 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock.
For fans, there’s no better way to start a season than with Cowboys-Eagles: two bitter rivals, one massive stage, and endless storylines before the first snap.
Dallas Cowboys Enter a New Chapter
The Cowboys come into 2025 with a lot to prove. Their offseason was filled with drama, including the shocking trade of star pass rusher Micah Parsons to Green Bay after a contract standoff. Parsons had wanted long-term security, and the Cowboys weren’t ready to commit. The breakup leaves Dallas with a defense that suddenly feels unrecognizable.
This is Cowboys Country 🤠pic.twitter.com/XAea2HLiZk
— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) September 2, 2025
On the sidelines, there’s also a new voice. After moving on from Mike McCarthy, the Cowboys promoted Brian Schottenheimer to head coach. He inherits a team still loaded with talent but full of question marks.
Dak Prescott is healthy again, CeeDee Lamb is stepping into a bigger leadership role, and the arrival of wideout George Pickens gives Dallas a new weapon. The backfield is completely overhauled, with Javonte Williams, Miles Sanders, and rookie Jaydon Blue expected to form a committee.
The biggest question: Can this team contend right now, or is it quietly rebuilding on the fly?
Philadelphia Eagles Look to Run It Back
The Eagles enter 2025 with the confidence of champions. Fresh off a 14-3 season and a Super Bowl win, Philadelphia kept its core together. Jalen Hurts, Saquon Barkley, A.J. Brown, and DeVonta Smith return to an offense that can score with anyone. With 10 of 11 starters back, chemistry won’t be an issue.
The best rivalry in football pic.twitter.com/HXwrOKefdp
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) September 3, 2025
Defensively, there are holes to fill after the departures of Darius Slay, Josh Sweat, and others. But the Eagles believe their young talent is ready for bigger roles, and with Nick Sirianni and his staff leading the way, there’s no panic in Philadelphia.
Opening night games are always special, but this one feels different. For Dallas, it’s a chance to show life after Parsons doesn’t mean a step back. For Philadelphia, it’s about defending the crown and setting the tone for another playoff run.
Rivalry, redemption, and a new season — it’s all on the line tonight in Philly. Football is back.
