The Philadelphia Eagles secured a 24-20 victory over the Dallas Cowboys in the NFL season opener, a game marked by an early ejection of Eagles defensive lineman Jalen Carter for spitting at Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott, followed by a weather delay and a defensive battle in the second half.
The controversy erupted immediately after the opening kickoff, with Carter appearing to spit at Prescott during a confrontation, leading to an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty and ejection before the first offensive snap. Referee Shawn Smith confirmed it was a disqualifiable foul and a non-football act, emphasizing the league’s increased focus on sportsmanship this season. Carter was escorted off the field emotionless by team security, drawing boos from the Philadelphia crowd.
Despite the early setback, the Eagles offense, led by quarterback Jalen Hurts, responded effectively. Hurts rushed for two touchdowns and passed for 152 yards, demonstrating the versatility that earned him Super Bowl MVP honors last season. The first half was an offensive showcase, with both teams combining for 41 points; Cowboys running back Javonte Williams, a new offseason signing, contributed two 1-yard touchdown runs to keep Dallas competitive.
The game’s momentum shifted in the second half due to a weather delay caused by lightning in the area, which suspended play for over an hour with the Eagles leading. After the delay, defenses dominated, and only a field goal was scored in the entire second half. The Cowboys had multiple opportunities to take the lead but were thwarted by dropped passes, including a critical miss by receiver CeeDee Lamb in the fourth quarter.
Post-game, Carter expressed remorse for his actions, apologizing to teammates and fans and vowing that such an incident would not happen again. Prescott, however, downplayed the spitting, stating he was not aiming at Carter but rather trying to engage with a teammate, which inadvertently provoked the situation. He expressed regret for the attention it received but maintained it was unintentional.
The Eagles’ victory sets up a challenging Week 2 rematch against the Kansas City Chiefs, a replay of last season’s Super Bowl, while the Cowboys will face the New York Giants in another divisional matchup. This opener highlighted the intense rivalry and unpredictability of the NFL, with off-field drama adding to the on-field excitement.