Inside The Star
The Dallas Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles kick off the 2025 NFL season in the most fitting way possible: under the bright lights of Thursday Night Football (TNF).
Two bitter NFC East rivals, both loaded with talent, both with championship aspirations, and both determined to make an opening statement.
Philadelphia enters as the defending Super Bowl LIX champions, but Dallas boasts a retooled roster and a quarterback with a proven track record of beating the Eagles.
Let’s break down who has the edge by position group and make a prediction for this primetime showdown.
This game begins and ends with quarterback play.
Dak Prescott has dominated the Eagles throughout his career. He owns a 4-1 record against Philadelphia and Jalen Hurts, throwing for 1,525 yards, 16 touchdowns, and just one interception in those contests.
Prescott’s passer rating combined in those five contests is 126.8. Simply put, Dak consistently delivers his best football against his fiercest rival.
Jalen Hurts, the reigning Super Bowl MVP, is no slouch. His dual-threat ability makes him a nightmare for defenses. But when facing Dallas, Hurts has been less efficient, with fewer yards and touchdowns than Prescott.
In his short career, Jalen Hurts has a 4-3 record against Dallas. He has recorded 1,483 passing yards, nine touchdowns, and five interceptions. He currently holds a 94.3 passer rating against the Cowboys.
Edge: Cowboys — Dak’s proven dominance in this rivalry gives Dallas the advantage.
The Cowboys will rely on a committee approach at running back, with Javonte Williams as the starter and Miles Sanders as the backup. Both will provide a veteran presence alongside Jaydon Blue’s explosiveness.
Fullback Hunter Luepke adds versatility as both a blocker, short-yardage weapon, and receiving weapon.
The Eagles, by contrast, headline their backfield with Saquon Barkley, one of the NFL’s elite playmakers. Supporting him are Will Shipley and A.J. Dillon.
Edge: Even — Barkley gives Philadelphia star power, but Dallas’ depth and rotation balance out the matchup.
Dallas brings a dangerous mix of size, speed, and reliability.
CeeDee Lamb has emerged as a top-five receiver in the league, while George Pickens adds a physical, explosive presence on the outside.
Tight end Jake Ferguson continues to establish himself as one of the NFC’s most dependable players at the position.
Philadelphia counters with one of the NFL’s top receiving duos in A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith. After those two, it gets shaky for the Eagles. Add an aging Dallas Goedert, and the Eagles don’t have much after the top two receivers.
Edge: Slight Cowboys — The trio of Lamb, Pickens, and Ferguson provides balance across multiple roles that slightly tip the advantage towards Dallas.
The Cowboys feature a young, talented group led by Tyler Smith, Cooper Beebe, and Terence Steele.
While their upside is undeniable, chemistry and consistency remain key questions....
