In Week 1, Dallas heads into the heart of Philly to face their division rival and last year’s Super Bowl champions the Eagles. The season opener at Lincoln Financial Field kicks off on Thursday 8:20 p.m. EDT and will be a true test of what to expect from this retooled Cowboys offense. With new backfield additions like Javonte Williams, former Eagle Miles Sanders, and rookie Jaydon Blue, plus star wide receiver George Pickens, Dallas has plenty of fresh firepower to unleash.
Leadership
When Brian Schottenheimer took over as a first-time head coach, he made leadership and culture his top priority. He’s talked the talk since day one, but Thursday will show if his words can hold up on the field. That theme of leadership also extends to Dak Prescott, who continues to earn high praise inside the building. New offensive coordinator Klayton Adams compared Dak to a CEO, saying, “They’re in the locker room as one of the players, but they also carry a different responsibility because he is a great leader.” Adams added, “He’s an unbelievable leader and an unbelievable worker.”
The Offense
Dak shouldn’t be lacking weapons going into the opener. CeeDee Lamb is the clear WR1, and George Pickens steps in as a dangerous WR2 right behind him. Pickens hauled in 59 receptions for 900 yards last season, and with consistent quarterback play and a stronger supporting cast, he’s poised to take another leap. The matchup also favors him. The Eagles gave up the seventh-most yards to WR2s in 2024, potentially opening the door for Pickens to make an immediate impact.
Another key addition is running back Javonte Williams, who rushed for 903 yards as a rookie while adding 316 through the air. His production dipped after an early injury in 2022, but Dallas is betting this is the year he regains that form and balances out the offense. Williams himself echoed that optimism heading into the season, saying, “I feel completely like myself.”
The Defense
The defense will be the key focal point in this matchup. Just weeks before the opener, Dallas traded Micah Parsons to Green Bay in exchange for two first-round picks and three-time All-Pro defensive tackle Kenny Clark. With Parsons out of the picture, the Cowboys must find new ways to pressure Jalen Hurts.
Last season, Dallas was dreadful against the run, ranking 31st in rushing yards allowed and dead last in rushing touchdowns surrendered. Facing an Eagles team powered by All-Pro Saquon Barkley, who led the league in rushing yards a year ago, is a brutal test. The hope is that Clark’s presence in the middle, combined with the return of Osa Odighizuwa, can stiffen the front and help Dallas get off the field on third down.
Keys to winning in week 1
The Cowboys, fielding one of the youngest offensive lines in the league, will be counting on rookie Tyler Booker and sophomores Tyler Guyton and Cooper Beebe to keep Dak protected and create lanes for the run game. Winning in the trenches on offense is essential if Dallas hopes to leave Philly with a victory.
On defense, the priority is clear: contain Saquon Barkley while keeping an eye on stars in the passing game like A.J. Brown. And last but certainly not least the Cowboys must win the turnover battle. The Eagles are 21–1 from 2021 through 2024 when winning turnovers, and Dallas simply cannot afford to hand them extra possessions.
Potential X factors
Head coach Brian Schottenheimer will make his official debut on the sidelines Thursday night, and it should be an interesting one. All eyes will be on how this revamped Cowboys team responds under his leadership and whether his offseason words translate into results on the field.
Two rookies also stand out as potential X-factors. Running back Jaydon Blue could see touches, while offensive lineman Tyler Booker is set to start in the opener. How quickly these young players adjust under the lights in Philly will say a lot about Dallas’s depth moving forward.
Finally, don’t overlook special teams. Dallas fielded the second and first-highest scoring special teams units in 2023 and 2024, respectively. With a new head coach, impact rookies, and a proven special teams group, the Cowboys have plenty of wild cards that could swing the opener in unexpected ways.
The Final Outlook
If Dallas executes their game plan keeping Dak safe in the pocket, establishing the run, and forcing Hurts into mistakes they have a path to grind out a 20–14 type of win. But if they stumble early, lose the turnover battle, or let Saquon Barkley dictate the pace, this game could spiral quickly.
As much as it hurts to admit, the safer pick is Philadelphia at home. They’re the defending champs, and Week 1 at Lincoln Financial is no easy task. Still, if Dallas keeps it competitive and shows flashes of what this new roster can do, it could be the foundation for a promising season.
Final Prediction: Eagles 27, Cowboys 20
No matter how it plays out, Cowboys Nation will have plenty to talk about Thursday night. We’ll be back with a full recap and breakdown after the game because win or lose, the journey is just beginning.
