What to Watch as Super Bowl Champions Open Season Against Division Rivals
The Philadelphia Eagles and the Dallas Cowboys are two proud franchises that will waste no time rekindling their longstanding rivalry. Fresh off a Super Bowl win, the Eagles are entering the season with momentum, while the Cowboys will arrive in Philadelphia in transition after a shocking trade has shaken up their defense. Combined with the intensity of the rivalry, both teams are entering the season with playoff expectations, adding even more fuel to the fire. The battles of the NFC East are always tough and entertaining for fans, but with last-minute developments to the teams’ rosters, the strengths and vulnerabilities of each team are about to be exposed this Thursday.
Earlier this week, the Dallas Cowboys made a shocking trade, letting go of Micah Parsons for first-round picks in the next two drafts while also picking up Kenny Clark. For the Cowboys, this is a major blow to the defense. Adding Clark could help plug the gap in Dallas’ run defense and boost depth in the long term, but losing Parsons only leaves the upcoming season opener more interesting. This disruption to Dallas’ pass rush may lead to a more conservative defense against the Eagles this week.
For Philly’s offense and Jalen Hurts, the loss of Parsons is a major win and strengthens the confidence for a Week One win. The Eagles' offensive line remains strong, giving Hurts both time and flexibility in the pocket. His versatility, combined with Saquon Barkley in the backfield, forces Dallas to load the box, opening opportunities for strong receivers AJ Brown and Devonta Smith downfield. Without Parsons and Dallas allocating their resources to stop the run game, Smith and Brown will be left in single coverage. Expect the Eagles to lean on long, balanced drives that mix powerful runs to wear down the front seven with a few long passes that test the Cowboys’ secondary.
On the other side of the ball, the Eagles' young defense will need to come out strong to slow the Cowboys’ offense, which is Dallas’ best chance to win game one on the road. Dak Prescott, a consistent veteran quarterback, is efficient under pressure and is especially successful when he gets into a rhythm of quick passes. This will test the Eagles' defensive line, especially without Milton Williams and Josh Sweat. Philly’s young secondary will also be challenged, as CeeDee Lamb is one of the league's most dangerous receivers. With Lamb drawing extra attention from Philly’s defense, Week One could either open opportunities for other Dallas playmakers to shine or it could expose just how weak their offense is beyond their star receiver.
This must-watch season opener will set the tone for each of these rival franchises. This is the Eagles’ chance to prove that their 2024 campaign and Super Bowl victory were no fluke, while showcasing the depth of their roster. For Dallas, it is a chance to flex their resilience. Can they still contend in the NFC East without their defensive rock? Overall, taking the Eagles would be the safe bet for Week One; their balance and dominance on both sides of the ball could be the deciding factor. However, if Prescott and Lamb get on a roll early, Dallas may have the firepower to turn this game on its head. Either way, as Week One excitement continues to build, expect these division rivals to bring the drama from the first snap to the final whistle.
