Eagles’ top concern is something Cowboys’ Dak Prescott can exploit, but it might not be enough: Kickoff preview and predictions
It’s time for Cowboys vs Eagles.
The 2025 NFL regular season will open in style. The Dallas Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles will kick things off Thursday night as one team welcomes back quarterback Dak Prescott and the other celebrates its Super Bowl LIX victory in front of its home crowd.
Our experts Mauricio Rodriguez (Cowboys) and Kelsey Kramer (Eagles) discussed the big game to get you ready for the return of football. Let’s dive in.
The Eagles are the reigning Super Bowl champions, is there any reason for concern going into 2025 or is this a championship or bust season?
Kramer: The Eagles had a handful of weaknesses to address post-NFL free agency and NFL draft, but Howie Roseman has since made sure they’re in good hands heading into Week 1 against the Dallas Cowboys. I think the only concern right now has to do with their secondary at safety opposite Reed Blankenship and at outside cornerback opposite Quinyon Mitchell. Sure, the Eagles have options, but there hasn’t been anyone throughout camp or that preseason that has lived up to CJ Gardner-Johnson or Darius Slay from last season.
Who should the Eagles be worried about now that Micah Parsons is gone?
Rodríguez: I’m sticking with edge rushers here and while I could give you the easy answer and say Dante Fowler Jr., I believe the Cowboys are going to give second-round rookie Donovan Ezeiruaku plenty of run in passing downs. Ezeiruaku is a pass rush specialist and he put together a great training camp and showed up in preseason games. The Cowboys have a deep group of edge rushers but the question is who is the new alpha. When it’s time to rush the passer, I think that could be Ezeiruaku even in Year 1.
What Eagles’ weakness can the Cowboys take advantage of on Thursday?
Kramer: I think this follows what I said in the first answer. The Cowboys can take advantage of the weak secondary matchups. The Eagles haven’t said who’s starting at the other safety or CB2 spot yet, but Dak Prescott will know not to throw the ball toward Quinyon Mitchell or Reed Blankenship.
How does Dak Prescott being back change things for Dallas?
Rodriguez: The difference is massive. Prescott can push the ball downfield and he opens the playbook wide open. This time around, he’ll count with the most talented WR duo he’s had in his career. The best part is Pickens and Dak excel at one common thing: The go route. I expect that to be their secret weapon in 2025. Meanwhile, CeeDee Lamb gets his best friend back. Last time these two shared a full season together, Prescott finished as the MVP runner-up. Id the Cowboys are going to amount to anything this year, it starts with Dak getting back to that level.
Prediction time: Who wins between the Cowboys and Eagles?
Kramer: One could argue that Saquon Barkley is about to have a big game since Micah Parsons is out of the picture. But with the Eagles’ secondary having question marks, CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens might have their way. I think this game is going to be closer than one touchdown like the sportsbooks are saying. But the Eagles come out on top with the home-field advantage. Eagles 31, Cowboys 27.
Rodríguez: The Cowboys allowed the second-most points last season and now they don’t have Micah Parsons. I don’t see that playing out well for Dallas but I do see this passing game raising the total score. Prescott, Lamb, and Pickens should be able to attack the Eagles cornerbacks. Unfortunately, I don’t see it being enough. The Eagles should have their way with Dallas’ defense and though Kenny Clark takes care of a huge need at defensive tackle, I need to see this defense operate without Parsons before I can bet on it. Eagles 27, Cowboys 23.
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