The 2025 NFL regular season kicks off with a classic rivalry clash as the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles face the Dallas Cowboys. Philadelphia enters the year with much of its championship core intact, while Dallas looks to prove that its turbulent offseason has made it stronger, not weaker.
The primetime showdown will air nationally on NBC, with a familiar broadcast crew handling the call. Here’s everything you need to know about who will guide viewers through the season opener.
What Time Does NBC’s Coverage Begin?
The Eagles and Cowboys will clash on Thursday, September 4, at 8:20 p.m. ETÂ in a special Thursday edition of Sunday Night Football on NBC. The game brings together two NFC East rivals who have battled for division supremacy for decades.
Leading up to the opener, NBC10 will air Eagles Gameday Kickoff on Wednesday, September 3, from 7:30 to 8 p.m. The pregame show will feature John Clark reporting from Lincoln Financial Field with expert analysis from Ross Tucker, giving fans in-depth coverage before kickoff.
Who Are the Game Announcers for Philadelphia Eagles vs. Dallas Cowboys?
Mike Tirico will lead the broadcast from the booth, bringing his veteran play-by-play expertise to the season opener. He took over as NBC’s lead play-by-play voice for Sunday Night Football in 2022 and has quickly become synonymous with the network’s NFL coverage.
“This will be one of the most memorable nights in Detroit football for that 89-year-old and the 62,000 others here.”
“And Detroit, for the first time in 32 years, your Lions have won a playoff game. How ’bout it?”
Mike Tirico on the call for an emotional scene at Ford Field. pic.twitter.com/cghkB12mcQ
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) January 15, 2024
Tirico will be joined in the booth by analyst Cris Collinsworth, forming NBC’s signature announcing duo. The former Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver and Emmy-winning broadcaster will continue his role as lead analyst for the network, adding depth and perspective to every play throughout the contest.
Melissa Stark will handle the sideline reporting duties, a role she returned to with NBC’s NFL team in 2022Â after a long tenure at ESPN. Her interviews and in-game updates provide viewers with real-time context and player perspectives that enhance the viewing experience.
How Can Fans Listen to Radio Coverage?
On the radio side, Eagles fans can tune into SportsRadio 94WIP, where the legendary Merrill Reese returns for yet another season, handling play-by-play duties. He’ll be joined by longtime partner Mike Quick, the former Eagles wide receiver who brings insider knowledge to every broadcast. Devan Kaney will provide updates from the sideline throughout the game.
Cowboys fans can catch their team’s radio coverage on 105.3 The Fan, while Spanish-speaking listeners can tune into La Grande 107.5 FMÂ for bilingual coverage of the season opener.
For the national radio audience, Westwood One will carry the broadcast with the iconic Kevin Harlan on play-by-play and former NFL offensive lineman Ross Tucker as analyst. Harlan remains one of the most recognizable and energetic voices in sports broadcasting, while Tucker was among the earliest players to make the successful transition into sports media.
No matter how you choose to watch or listen, the stage is set: Eagles vs. Cowboys, under the lights, to kick off the 2025 NFL season in style. The defending champions face their longtime division rivals in what promises to be an electrifying start to the new campaign.
