PHILADELPHIA, PA - The stage is set for a fierce NFC East showdown as the Dallas Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles meet in the Week 1 Game of the Week. After Dallas swept Philadelphia last season, both teams open Season 33 looking to set the tone for their division campaigns.
Cowboys aiming to rebound after playoff disappointment
The Cowboys, led by head coach Andres Perez, stormed through Season 32 with a 14-3 record, claiming first place in the NFC and earning a first-round bye. But their season ended abruptly in the Divisional Round against the Minnesota Vikings.
Perez and his squad enter Season 33 determined to take the next step. "Last year left a sour taste," Perez said. "We accomplished a lot, but in Dallas, expectations are championships. We're ready to make that push."
Eagles searching for a resurgence
Head coach Nick Sirianni and the Eagles are out to prove they can climb back into contention after a disappointing 7-10 finish in Season 32. That record placed them second in the NFC East but 11th overall in the conference, well outside the playoff picture.
Philadelphia's last postseason appearance came in Season 31 when they went 11-6, earned a wild card berth, and fell to the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field (full recap). "We've got to find consistency," Sirianni said this week. "This division doesn't give you second chances-every week matters, starting with Dallas."
Injuries could play a role
The Eagles enter the opener with several key injuries on the offensive line and defense, including Nakobe Dean (knee cartilage tear), Landon Dickerson (turf toe), Myles Hinton (broken ankle), Tyler Steen (dislocated wrist), Johnny Wilson (broken ankle), and Willie Lampkin IV (torn rotator cuff).
Dallas isn't fully healthy either. The Cowboys' injury list features Josh Butler (partial ACL tear), Caelen Carson (knee cartilage tear), Robert Jones (ruptured disk), Phil Mafah (torn labrum), Jonathan Mingo (undisclosed injury), DeMarvion Overshown (partial ACL tear), Shavon Revel Jr. (knee cartilage tear), John Stephens (fractured knee cap), and Payton Turner (broken ribs).
Recent history favors Dallas
The Cowboys took both matchups last season, including a gritty 20-14 win in Week 17 to cap off the sweep. In that game, Jalen Hurts threw for 231 yards and 2 touchdowns, while Aaron Jones churned out 102 yards and 2 scores on the ground. Will Shipley led Philadelphia in receiving with 73 yards on 5 catches, but it wasn't enough to break through Dallas' defense.
"Dallas has had our number," Sirianni admitted. "But it's a new season, and we've got a chance to rewrite the script."
What's at stake
For Dallas, it's about proving they remain the class of the NFC East and putting last year's playoff disappointment behind them. For Philadelphia, it's a chance to flip the narrative, earn an early division statement, and build confidence toward returning to playoff contention.
Kickoff at Lincoln Financial Field promises intensity worthy of the league's spotlight matchup.
