We’re just days away from the official release of the full 2025 NFL schedule, but the league couldn’t resist revealing the opening game for the season — and honestly, it’s a bit of a letdown.
As expected, the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles will kick off the year on Thursday Night Football, but instead of facing a rising contender or playoff rematch, they’ll square off against… the Dallas Cowboys?
That’s right — the same Cowboys team that went 7-10 last season and missed the playoffs entirely.
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So Many Better Options Left on the Table
With potential opponents like the Detroit Lions, Washington Commanders, or even the Los Angeles Rams, the NFL had a golden opportunity to give fans a high-stakes, meaningful opener featuring two playoff teams or an upstart challenger. Instead, they opted for a marquee logo over meaningful competition.
And look, we get it. It’s still the NFL. People will tune in. The numbers will be strong. But the decision feels like a missed opportunity to start the year with a bang.
The Bottom Line
The Eagles deserve a worthy opponent for their title defense debut. Instead, we’re getting another round of Eagles-Cowboys — a rivalry that’s lost some of its juice given where Dallas is right now. NFL schedule-makers dropped the ball here, and fans are right to be underwhelmed.