Why the NFL Chose Eagles vs. Cowboys for 2025 Week 1: Rivalry, Ratings, and a Statement Start
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The NFL doesn’t just schedule games — it engineers spectacles. And for the 2025 season opener, the league went straight for high drama, iconic branding, and maximum eyeballs.
On Thursday, September 4, the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles will host the Dallas Cowboys at Lincoln Financial Field in the opening game of the NFL’s 2025 campaign, broadcast nationally on NBC. It’s a blockbuster matchup — and it’s no coincidence.
Here’s why Eagles vs. Cowboys was hand-picked by the league to launch the season.
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Philadelphia Eagles To Host Dallas Cowboys In 2025 NFL Opener |
1. A Historic Rivalry That Never Misses
Cowboys vs. Eagles is more than a game — it’s a grudge match baked into NFL history. Dating back over 60 years, this NFC East rivalry is one of the fiercest, most intense, and most-watched in the sport.
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The Eagles have ended Cowboys playoff hopes.
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The Cowboys have silenced hostile Philly crowds.
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The trash talk never stops. The tension never cools.
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And in 2024, their two meetings ranked among the top five most-watched regular season games.
It’s emotional. It’s violent. It’s marketable.
When the NFL wants to open the season with fire, this rivalry delivers heat.
2. Ratings Gold for NBC and Advertisers
This isn’t just a game — it’s a broadcast event. The NFL season opener consistently draws Super Bowl-level viewership, and the Cowboys are a known ratings magnet.
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Dallas has been the most-watched team in the NFL for 14 consecutive seasons.
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Their games average 25–30 million viewers, even in regular season slots.
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Pair them with the reigning champs? That’s primetime gold for NBC.
This matchup gives NBC everything: star quarterbacks, massive fanbases, a divisional grudge, and national buzz. It’s the kind of game that drives advertising revenue through the roof.
3. The Champs Get the Stage — and a Real Test
The league almost always lets the reigning Super Bowl champion open the season at home. But not all opponents are created equal.
Instead of giving the Eagles an easy victory lap, the NFL handed them a high-pressure divisional showdown. It’s not just about celebrating a title — it’s about proving it wasn’t a fluke.
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Jalen Hurts vs. Dak Prescott.
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Nick Sirianni vs. Mike McCarthy.
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A loaded Eagles roster vs. a desperate Cowboys team seeking redemption.
Philly gets its championship moment. But it’ll have to fight for it — in front of the entire country.
4. Strategic Storytelling by the NFL
The NFL schedule isn’t just logistics. It’s narrative architecture.
Here’s what this matchup signals:
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The NFC East is the most competitive division in football.
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The Eagles are the new power, but the Cowboys are chasing them — hard.
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The league wants to ignite storylines immediately — not wait for midseason hype.
From a brand-building standpoint, this game sets up a season-long chase, fuels debate shows, and generates early-season urgency. It's the script sports media wants, and the league knows it.
5. Two Giant Fanbases, One Explosive Market
This isn’t just good football — it’s good business.
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The Cowboys are “America’s Team” for a reason. Their fanbase stretches coast to coast.
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The Eagles have a massive, passionate, and fiercely loyal fanbase. Philly fans will show up, online and in stadiums, in full force.
Put these two together in Week 1, and you get:
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Social media buzz
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Sold-out stadiums
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Record-breaking broadcasts
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Instant cultural relevance
It’s not just about opening a football season. It’s about dominating the national conversation.
Final Take: It’s the Smartest Choice the NFL Could Make
By choosing Cowboys vs. Eagles to open the 2025 season, the NFL is doing what it does best: turning sports into spectacle.
It’s high-stakes. It’s bitter. It’s unpredictable. And it’s perfectly placed to grab national attention before the first Sunday even kicks off.
This isn’t just a game. It’s a message. The 2025 season isn’t easing in — it’s exploding out of the gate.
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