Four takeaways from Eagles 24-20 win over Cowboys

Written by: Miles Jordan •

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Jalen Hurts (1) carries the ball up the field

The Philadelphia Eagles were among the last two teams to play the 2024 NFL season, and they were the first to start the 2025 season when they hosted the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday night for the season opener.

The defending Super Bowl champions returned with their Lombardi-hoisting core roster and more as they began the journey to defend their title and cement their place in NFL history, the beginning of a dynasty.

Top takeaways from Eagles' 24-20 win over Cowboys:



Saquon Barkley is still really good:

In case it was unclear, Barkley has not missed a step since his 2024 Offensive Player of the Year campaign.

He started his second year in Philadelphia with an 18-carry, 60-yard rushing performance, resulting in a touchdown and an Eagles Week 1 victory over their divisional rival.

Just like last season, it felt like the first defender to meet Barkley was never the one to make the tackle. He bounced off would-be tacklers like a balloon, bulldozing his way through the Cowboys' defense, who are notably without Micah Parsons this season.

But he was not just good on the ground; he also hauled in four catches for 24 yards through the air, totalling 84 all-purpose yards.

Jalen Carter ejected after the opening kickoff:

Philadelphia Eagles star defensive tackle Jalen Carter was ejected from Thursday night’s matchup with the Dallas Cowboys before the first offensive snap of the game.

The incident came after a delay on the opening kickoff, when Eagles fullback Ben VanSumeren remained down on the field for several minutes with an injury. During the stoppage, Carter confronted Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott. As the two began to separate, cameras appeared to capture Carter spitting on Prescott.

Prescott immediately pointed it out to an official, who flagged Carter for unsportsmanlike conduct and ejected him just six seconds into the NFL season opener. Carter left the field slowly to a chorus of boos, holding his helmet behind his back as he walked to the locker room.

The penalty cost Philadelphia 15 yards, and Dallas capitalized with a six-play drive capped by a one-yard touchdown run from Javonte Williams.

Carter, 24, is widely regarded as one of the league’s top defensive tackles. Last season, he posted 4.5 sacks and 12 tackles for loss, helping anchor the NFL’s No. 1-ranked defense. The Eagles drafted him ninth overall in 2023 after he slipped down the board due to his involvement in a fatal car crash that killed a Georgia teammate and a recruiting staff member.

Devonta Smith and AJ Brown quiet in season opener:

Surprisingly, the Eagles' box score looks a little different than usual, due to the lack of presence from Devonta Smith and AJ Brown in Philadelphia’s season opener.

At halftime, Jahan Dotson was Philly’s leading receiver, thanks to his huge 51-yard catch to set up a Barkley rushing touchdown. Dallas Goedert finished the first half with four catches for 24 yards, and Barkley snagged two for 11 yards to round out the Eagles’ leading receivers.

Smith was targeted just once in the first half, a catch he took for six yards on the Eagles' opening drive. His counterpart, Brown, was missing in action and did not record a reception until the 1:45 mark in the fourth quarter for an eight-yard gain.

The receiver duo of Brown and Smith combined for nearly 2,000 receiving yards and accounted for 15 of Hurts’ 18 touchdowns through the air last season, but they were not needed, or even really looked at tonight.

Goedert was Hurt’s favorite option through the air and led the Eagles with seven targets, resulting in a perfect seven catches for 44 yards.

Smith finished the game with three catches for 16 yards, while Brown ended with just the lone reception.

But outside of that, the Eagles relied on their ground game and finished the game with 14 more rushing yards than passing yards (158 rush/144 pass).

122 of those rushing yards were split between Hurts (62) and Barkley (60).

Philly wins the turnover battle:

Down 24-20, the Cowboys were driving and gained momentum to take the lead late in the third quarter. Dallas running back Miles Sanders carried the ball to the Eagles’ 10-yard line before linebacker Jihaad Campbell forced a fumble, and cornerback Quinyon Mitchell scooped up the ball, only to be taken down by a shoestring tackle.

Mitchell’s fumble recovery was the final play before the 64-minute-long lightning delay, and while its momentum was halted, the turnover was crucial in preventing a Dallas touchdown or even field goal.

The forced fumble and recovery could have proved to be the difference in the Eagles' one-score victory.

Up next for Philadelphia: Sunday, September 14 vs. Kansas City Chiefs (4:25 p.m. ET on FOX).

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