Cowboys vs. Eagles Opener: Fireworks, Fumbles, and What Could’ve Been

By Trinity Barnette

Monday, September 4th. The NFL season kicked off in prime time with one of football’s greatest rivalries: Cowboys vs. Eagles. I tuned in live, but let’s be real — locking in for a full recap at 11:30 p.m.? Not happening. So I circled back the next day to break down all the chaos, the energy, and the “what could’ve beens.”

Chaos Before the Clock

This game didn’t wait for fireworks. On the very first play, Eagles linebacker/fullback Ben VanSumeren went down with a leg injury. Brutal omen. While trainers checked on him, the refs were already reaching for flags. Why? Because the two teams decided to start the season with a fight.

And then came the dumbest move of the night: Jalen Carter spitting on Dak Prescott’s jersey — right in front of the ref. Instant ejection, 15-yard penalty, and his defense left without one of its most important players before the game even started. Selfish, low-class, and honestly hilarious in its stupidity. Cris Collinsworth called Carter their best defender, and maybe that’s true — but spitting yourself out of the game? Legendary choke move.

First Half Fireworks

• Dak found CeeDee Lamb early, setting up Javonte Williams for the first TD of the season. Cowboys 7-0.

• Philly answered quick. Saquon Barkley reminded everyone why he’s built different — breaking tackles, hurdling defenders, and letting Jalen Hurts run it in. 7-7.

• Cowboys punched back with another Javonte TD → 14-7.

• Hurts tied it with another QB run → 14-14.

• Brandon Aubrey nailed a 41-yard FG for Dallas → 17-14.

• But Jahan Dotson’s 51-yard catch and a Saquon TD gave Philly the halftime edge, 21-17.

It was back-and-forth, electric, and the exact kind of opener you want.

Second Half Shift

Third quarter started with Hurts’ first sack of the season and a monster 58-yard Eagles FG (24-20).

Then Dallas coughed it up — Miles Sanders fumbled, Philly CB Quinyon Mitchell scooped it. The Eagles had a chance to bury the Cowboys right there… but then Mother Nature stepped in.

A 65-minute lightning delay completely killed the game’s rhythm. The first half had me glued to the screen. The second half? Flat.

Fourth Quarter Tension

Dallas kept pushing, but key mistakes piled up. CeeDee Lamb — one of the Cowboys’ best weapons — dropped two crucial passes in the fourth. If he hauls those in, we might be talking about a Dallas upset instead of a “what could’ve been.”

Meanwhile, Eagles DE Sam Williams made big defensive stops, and Brian Schottenheimer played the timeout chess game. Quick sidebar: this isn’t just any head coach. Brian’s dad is Marty Schottenheimer — one of the winningest NFL coaches never to win a Super Bowl. With that shadow, Brian’s got a lot to prove. Nights like this will define him.

In the end, Jalen Hurts sealed it with a clutch first-down run in the final two minutes. Final: Eagles 24, Cowboys 20.

Raw Reflections

• The first half was fireworks. The second half was ruined by lightning. I’m mad about it, because this was shaping up to be a classic.

• CeeDee Lamb is still a star, but 4 drops (2 of them late)? Brutal. That’s the difference between taking down the defending champs and walking away with another Cowboys almost.

• Saquon Barkley looks terrifying. If he and Hurts stay healthy, Philly’s offense is lethal.

• And remember: this was just Game One. Things can and will change. The Eagles look good, but can they run it back and go all the way again? That’s the storyline to watch.