Even though it is still the middle of May, the anticipation for the 2025 NFL season is already beginning to build for the Philadelphia Eagles.
By virtue of knocking off the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX this February, the reigning NFL champions have the honor of hosting the first game of the season on Thursday, Sept. 4.
The annual kickoff game is televised by NBC as a special edition of its "Sunday Night Football" programming.
Ahead of the full 2025 NFL schedule release on Wednesday at 8 p.m. ET, the league is revealing select marquee matchups one at a time, starting with the Eagles' Week 1 opponent: the Dallas Cowboys.
Philadelphia Eagles coach Nick Sirianni and Dallas Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy shake hands after Philly's 41-7 win.
Philadelphia Eagles coach Nick Sirianni and former Dallas Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy shake hands.
Eric Hartline-Imagn Images
Dallas will be out for revenge against its hated NFC East rival. Last season, the Eagles went 2-0 against the Cowboys by an average margin of victory of 31 points. The series included a 34-6 Eagles win in Dallas in November, followed by a 41-7 thrashing in Philly in December.
The Eagles official social media account could not hide its excitement for another crack at the Cowboys in a matter of months, dropping a comment on the NFL's schedule announcement post that said, "Get your popcorn ready."
NFL fans are also getting their popcorn ready. With Dak Prescott expected to return under center, Dallas should be more competitive in the 2025 season opener. Backup quarterback Cooper Rush started both blowout losses in 2024. The Cowboys finished the regular season 7-10 and missed the playoffs.
Prescott also has a new weapon on the outside after the Cowboys traded for electric wide receiver George Pickens, who comes from another Philly rival, the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Meanwhile, the Eagles enter 2025 as co-favorites for a Super Bowl repeat, per ESPN Bet. They lost defensive starters James Bradberry, Darius Slay and C.J. Gardner-Johnson in the offseason, but signed star running back Saquon Barkley and linebacker Zack Baun to expensive contracts to help keep the major pieces of Nick Sirianni's team intact.