Dallas Cowboys showed in their opening game what the rest of the season will be like: a team that will put up a fight, but will fall short

Brian Schottenheimer’s debut because the Dallas Cowboys head coach was higher than anticipated, regardless of a slim 24-20 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. Dealing with the defending champions, Dallas confirmed grit and willpower, proving they might go toe-to-toe with one of many NFL’s elite groups. The sport kicked off with an sudden twist, as Eagles star defensive deal with Jalen Carter was ejected earlier than a single offensive snap. Following an harm timeout for Ben VanSumeren, Carter approached the Cowboys’ huddle and shockingly spit on quarterback Dak Prescott, incomes himself an instantaneous ejection. “Discuss an sudden flip of occasions,” the textual content famous, setting the tone for a wild matchup.

Making the most of Carter’s absence, Dallas got here out swinging, scoring on all 4 of their first-half possessions and racking up 307 yards of offense in comparison with Philadelphia’s 302. Schottenheimer leaned on the bottom recreation early, leading to 115 dashing yards total and two touchdowns from working again Javonte Williams.

Prescott, coming back from a season-ending hamstring harm in 2024, was pivotal in orchestrating the offense. Though he posted modest numbers with 188 passing yards and a 61.8% completion charge, his management was evident.

Large receiver CeeDee Lamb had seven catches for 110 yards, however he additionally had a career-record 4 drops, two of them essential within the final Dallas drive, whereas newcomer George Pickens contributed 30 yards on three receptions.

How Jalen Hurts outmaneuvered the Cowboys protection

The Eagles, nonetheless, had their very own weapon in quarterback Jalen Hurts. Whereas Hurts threw for simply 152 yards, his mobility proved problematic for the Cowboys’ protection. With 62 dashing yards and two touchdowns, he saved Dallas on its heels all through the sport. Defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus managed to include Saquon Barkley to only 60 dashing yards and a 3.3-yard common per carry, however Hurts’ versatility was the deciding issue. Hurts continued to be elusive, as his dual-threat potential put fixed stress on Dallas.

The primary quarter noticed Prescott main a swift six-play drive capped by Williams’ one-yard landing run. Lamb’s acrobatics have been on full show with a 32-yard reception that arrange the rating. The second quarter introduced extra fireworks, together with a vital move interference penalty on Philadelphia that helped Dallas regain momentum. Regardless of these efforts, Hurts and the Eagles countered with fast strikes, together with a 51-yard bomb to Jahan Dotson and Barkley’s 10-yard landing run.

However as virtually each single analyst predicted, Dallas fell brief on the scoreboard and looking out as a workforce that can put up combat, however will fall in need of its aspirations.