It’s the defending champion Philadelphia Eagles against the always-dangerous Dallas Cowboys to kick off the NFL season on Thursday Night Football. It’s a massive showdown of NFC East contenders starting at 8:20 p.m. EDT, televised by NBC.
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CLAIM NOWThe Philadelphia Eagles blew out the Kansas City Chiefs in the Super Bowl, and now they open the 2025 NFL Season with a contest against the drama-filled Dallas Cowboys.
History is not on the Eagles side. There hasn’t been a repeat NFC East champion since the Philadelphia squads of 2001 to 2004 won four straight division titles. But if any team in the NFL can do it, the Eagles appear to be it. Their defensive and offensive lines are stacked, and the backfield returns 2005-yard rusher Saquon Barkley and quarterback Jalen Hurts.
The Eagles were 14-7 last year against the spread, tied for the best in the league with the Detroit Lions and Los Angeles Chargers. The track record for Super Bowl champions in their first game in the following season under the current format is 8-2, and the Eagles are at home, where they were 8-1 in 2024.
They confront a Dallas Cowboys team in turmoil, not a good sign coming off a 7-10 record in 2024. Defensive end Micah Parsons has been traded away, which leaves a void on an otherwise solid defense. New Dallas defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus will have to come up with a way to use his personnel to slow down one of the best offenses in the NFL, the Eagles, making the -7 spread favoring the Eagles tempting.
But the Cowboys are no pushover. They still have the highest-paid quarterback by average annual salary in Dak Parsons, and receivers CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens are monster yards-after-catch threats.
The Eagles know they need to get off to a good start at Lincoln Financial Field. Their early schedule is filled with playoff contenders, with Kansas City, the Los Angeles Rams, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers lined up and waiting after opening day.
The Cowboys have it relatively easier, with a home game against the New York Giants and an away game against the Chicago Bears before a big primetime showdown against the Green Bay Packers to close out September. Micah Parsons can’t wait.
PICKS: Look for the Eagles to cover the spread by 27-17. If you’re looking for an intriguing player parlay, take the over on Saquon Barkley rushing for more than 93.5 yards and/or Jalen Hurts exceeding 35.5 on the ground.
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CLAIM NOWOther games of interest in NFL week one:
On Friday, Sept. 5, the Kansas City Chiefs square off against the Los Angeles Chargers in the league’s second Brazil game.
Point Spread: Kansas City (-3), Chargers (+3)
Money Line: Kansas City (-175), Chargers (+145)
Game Total (Over/Under): Kansas City over 45.5 points (-110), Chargers under 45.5 (-110)
On Sunday, Sept. 7 Aaron Rodgers returns to MetLife Stadium for his first game in a Pittsburgh Steelers uniform. He’ll face his old team, the New York Jets. The Steelers are -150 favorites, with the Jets at +125 in Aaron Glenn’s first game as head coach.
Point Spread: Pittsburgh (-3, -102)), NY (+3, -125)
Money Line: Pittsburgh (-150), NY (+125)
Game Total (Over/Under): Pittsburgh Over 38 (-110), NY Under 38 (-110)
What some feel is the NFC’s toughest division starts Sunday with the Detroit Lions facing the Green Bay Packers. Micah Parsons debuts for Green Bay, while the Lions hope to redeem their playoff disappointment of 2024. The Pack are -140 favorites at home, with the Lions at +118.
Point Spread: Green Bay -2.5 (-110), Detroit -.2.5 (-110)
Money Line: Green Bay (-140), Detroit (+118)
Game Total (Over/Under): Green Bay Under 47.5 (-110), Detroit Over 47.5 (-110)
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