Eagles Vs. Cowboys NFL Season Opener: What To Know

PHILADELPHIA, PA — The Philadelphia Eagles are on a quest for a Super Bowl repeat.

The Birds are back to kick off the 2025 NFL season Thursday night against the hated Dallas Cowboys at the Linc, as fans will get to see the Super Bowl banner being raised.

Quarterback Jalen Hurts, running back Saquon Barkley and the team tackle the Cowboys, who this year added wideout George Pickens from the Pittsburgh Steelers, but shedded All-Pro edge rusher Micah Parsons in a trade to the Green Bay Packers last week. (Don't worry, Owner Jerry Jones is still kicking around.)

The game starts at 8:20 p.m. Thursday at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia and will be televised on "Sunday Night Football" on NBC. A game preview show begins at 7 p.m. Meanwhile, NBC Sports Philadelphia will also have pre-game and post-game shows.

Those not watching on TV can tune in to WIP Sports Radio to hear Eagles legendary announcer Merrill Reese call the game with former player and analyst Mike Quick.

Last year, the Eagles opened the season in Brazil against the Green Bay Packers with a win before going 2-2 at the bye. The Birds rattled off a streak of double-digit wins on their way to pummeling the Kansas City Chiefs 40-22 in Super Bowl LIX.

While the banner will be raised before the game starts, Eagles Coach Nick Sirianni has decided that players and coaches will not be on the field for the ceremony. Sirianni has stated that he wants to focus on the upcoming season rather than last year's accomplishments.

Super Bowl Repeat Odds

The Eagles are top contenders for Super Bowl 60, sharing the best or near-best odds with teams like the Buffalo Bills and Baltimore Ravens.

Odds vary slightly depending on the sportsbook, but are generally in the +650 to +700 range. A +700 odds means a $100 bet would win $700 if the Eagles win the Super Bowl.

Some NFL experts are predicting the Eagles to finish at 13-4. Others believe the Birds may hit 12-5.

Against the Cowboys, the Eagles are favored by 7.5 to 8 points over Dallas, according to Bet MGM.

Rough Road Ahead?

When you win the Super Bowl, the following season's schedule gets much harder.

The Birds have the fourth-toughest schedule this year, NFL experts say. There are stretches of the schedule that look brutal. The Birds might even start the season at 2-2 after the first four games.

After playing the Cowboys at home, the Birds face the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead in Week 2, then host the Los Angeles Rams before heading to Tampa Bay, where they can't seem to beat Baker Mayfield and the Buccaneers.

Over the next four games, the Eagles play NFC East rival New York Giants twice, but also face the rising Denver Broncos at home, and visit the Minnesota Vikings on Oct. 19.

After the bye week, the next four games are mainly against NFC North teams: a Primetime game against the Green Bay Packers on Nov. 10, another night game the following week at home against the Detroit Lions, a rematch against the Cowboys on Nov. 23, and then the improving Chicago Bears at home on Nov. 28.

The final stretch of the season might be iffy, too, depending on where the Eagles stand at this point.

The Los Angeles Chargers will host the Birds in Primetime on Dec. 8. Next up are the Las Vegas Raiders, and then the rival Washington Commanders for the first time on Dec. 20.

So are the Birds already in the playoffs at this point?

Let's hope so. The final two games are against the Buffalo Bills (in Buffalo on Dec. 28), and then a home showdown against the Commanders again to close the regular season on Jan. 4.

Everyone will be making their prediction on the Eagles' record. Super Bowl repeats are always difficult when teams want to knock you off the top of the mountain.

Weather Forecast

Action News 6 is calling for warm and somewhat humid conditions with at least partly sunny skies. During the game, there may be a few scattered showers. It will be 75 at kickoff and 70 degrees by the 4th quarter.

Getting Tickets

Two words: Good luck.

You can buy tickets for the game from major ticket marketplaces like Ticketmaster, SeatGeek, and Vivid Seats. Prices vary, but expect to pay a good amount with the Super Bowl banner ceremony taking place as well as the home season opener and start of the overall NFL season.

If You Go

Costs to park at the Linc vary, but it's so much fun to hang out with fellow Eagles fans and tailgate and, of course, boo Dallas Cowboys fans.

The good news too is that SEPTA will be offering full train service after the game.

Sports betting platform FanDuel's sponsorship will allow SEPTAto run express and local Broad Street Line trains before and after the game.

Potential service cuts and curfews after Philadelphia sporting events have not gone into effect at this stage. Learn more about getting to the game here.