Cowboys outlast Eagles 41–31 in Week 1 Game of the Week

PHILADELPHIA, PA - On Thursday Night Primetime, Andres Perez's Dallas Cowboys weathered a Jalen Hurts air show and leaned on a bruising ground game to beat Nick Sirianni's Philadelphia Eagles 41-31 in the Week 1 Game of the Week.

How it happened

The teams traded punches early: Philadelphia opened with a 31-yard Jake Elliott field goal before Jaydon Blue hauled in a 13-yard TD from Dak Prescott. With zeros on the first-quarter clock, DeVonta Smith answered on a 27-yard strike from Jalen Hurts.

Dallas nudged ahead with Brandon Aubrey's 58-yarder, but the Eagles flashed back as A.J. Dillon ripped a 30-yard scoring run. The Cowboys snatched momentum at 0:13 before halftime when CeeDee Lamb caught a 6-yard TD from Prescott, 24-17 at the break.

Dallas extended the lead in the third on a Prescott keeper from two yards and an Aubrey 49-yard field goal. Philly kept swinging in the fourth-Saquon Barkley's 6-yard TD reception and Smith's second score-but Javonte Williams slammed the door with touchdown runs of 43 and 14 yards to ice it.

Stat sheet snapshot

Philadelphia out-gained Dallas 593-539 and matched first downs 23-23, but the Cowboys owned the money downs: 4 TDs in five red-zone trips (80%). The Eagles finished 2 TDs and 1 FG on six red-zone visits (50%). Dallas forced and recovered a fumble, while Philly snagged one interception. Time of possession was nearly even (PHI 20:30; DAL 19:30).

Stars of the game

• Cowboys: Williams erupted for 230 yards on 18 carries with two TDs and added 19 receiving yards; Prescott went 16/23 for 161 yards and two TDs (plus a rushing TD); Aubrey drilled field goals from 58 and 49 and hit all five PATs.
• Eagles: Hurts posted 353 yards and three TDs (29/37). Smith dazzled with 8 catches, 139 yards, and two scores; Barkley added a receiving TD and Dillon punched in a 30-yard rushing score.

What they said

Javonte Williams said he was in the zone from the opening snap. "The holes were there, the guys were rolling-honestly, I was so in the zone I could run it with my eyes closed," the Cowboys back laughed. Dak Prescott credited complementary football: "When our defense got us stops and Brandon hit those long ones, we leaned on 33 to finish drives."

On the other side, Jalen Hurts pointed to situational execution. "We executed between the 20s. Red zone and a couple timely explosives by them swung the game." Cowboys coach Andres Perez praised his front-"Physicality travels. The line set a tone, and Javonte did the rest"-while Eagles coach Nick Sirianni tipped his cap and looked ahead: "Credit to Dallas in the red area. We'll clean up details before Kansas City."

Up next

Philadelphia heads to Arrowhead to face Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs. Dallas returns to Arlington for its home opener against Russell Wilson and the New York Giants.