Dallas Cowboys vs. Philadelphia Eagles Prediction & Betting Picks (September 4, 2025)
If you know anything about football, then you know that the Eagles and the Cowboys have had a rivalry that dates back to when the NFL started. Not to mention how much the Philly fans hate the Dallas fans, and vice versa.
The season opener is primed to be a heated game! The Eagles are fresh off a Super Bowl win and still look like the same team that was a wrecking ball last season. Dallas comes into Week 1 with Brian Schottenheimer running the show and Dak Prescott’s return under center after missing both of last year’s blowouts.
This game will give us a sneak peek at the machine that won it all last year, and if the Cowboys can at least try to keep up.
Keep reading for everything you need to know about the first official game of the season; we’ve got all the deets, betting odds, team breakdowns, injury reports, main angles to watch, trends, stats, and our picks for the five best bets!
Game Info
Here’s everything you need to know about the regular NFL season opener!
- Matchup: Dallas Cowboys (0-0) vs. Philadelphia Eagles (0-0)
- Game Details: Thursday, September 4, at 8:20 pm ET
- Location: Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, PA
- How To Watch: NBC / Peacock
- Backdrop: This is the first time since 2000 that Dallas and Philly open the season against each other. The Eagles want to prove that last year’s title run wasn’t a one-title wonder.
Betting Odds Snapshot
The market didn’t waste any time adjusting once this matchup hit the board! What started out as closer to a touchdown spread has gone up seven points, and Philly is getting the bulk of early action. The total has gone up, too, and the moneyline pricing leaves no doubt that oddsmakers see the Eagles as the clear favorite heading into opening night.
Here are the latest odds and lines via DraftKings:
| Team | Spread | Moneyline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
Cowboys | +8.5 (-115) | +320 | Over 47.5 (-110) |
Eagles | -8.5 (-105) | -410 | Under 47.5 (-110) |
Market Movement
- Spread: Opened at Eagles –7 and quickly moved to –7.5 as early money came in on Philadelphia.
- Public Action: Bettors are leaning toward the Eagles after last season’s sweep of Dallas and their Super Bowl run.
- Total: Holding steady around 47.5, a number that shows there’s a respect for both teams’ ability to score while also acknowledging the strength of their defenses.
Team Breakdown & Matchup Insight
This is the banner-raising game for the defending champs at the Linc, and Dallas arrives with a new head coach and a retooled roster after the late-August Micah Parsons trade; Philly returns its core and a new OC. Here’s what’s changed and the matchups to watch!
Philadelphia Eagles (Home)
- Record: 14–3, NFC East champs; won Super Bowl LIX 40–22 over Kansas City (Hurts was named SB MVP).
- Defense: Vic Fangio’s unit finished No. 1 in total defense (≈278 ypg) and No. 2 in points allowed (17.8). Opponent passer rating was among the league’s best by the season’s end.
- Stars: Saquon Barkley had an insane year (2,005 rush yards in reg. season; 2,504 incl. playoffs) and was extended in March. A.J. Brown (1,079 yds) and DeVonta Smith (833 yds) are still a top WR tandem despite their missed time.
Dallas Cowboys (Away)
- 2024 Recap: 7–10 with some big injuries; Dak Prescott’s hamstring avulsion in Week 9 ended his season. Dallas lost both games against the Eagles by 34–6 (Nov. 10) and 41–7 (Dec. 29) with Cooper Rush starting.
Coaching Change: Brian Schottenheimer was promoted to head coach on Jan. 24; Klayton Adams was hired as OC, Matt Eberflus as DC. Schottenheimer has said he wants a physical, run-first tilt, and he’ll call plays.
Prescott Returns: Dak cleared his rehab milestones and is targeted for full participation ahead of Week 1. - Key Matchups: Parsons-less rush vs. Hurts; Dallas finished 2024 with 52 sacks (3rd), but a lot of that juice was Micah Parsons. Eberflus will need pressure via games and interior wins (Clark, Osa), plus Sam Williams off the edge.
Injury Report & Depth Concerns
The first game of the season won’t start at full strength for either team. Dallas is already having issues on the defensive front and is monitoring its secondary, and Philly’s interior line and depth pieces have popped up on the injury report. Both staffs will be forced to make adjustments before the ball kicks off at the Linc.
Cowboys Injuries
- DT Perrion Winfrey: Did Not Practice with back tightness; status for Week 1 is uncertain.
- CB Trevon Diggs & LT Tyler Guyton: both practiced and are expected to play, though final decisions will be made after Wednesday’s walkthrough. Diggs estimates a 75–80% chance of being active.
- TE Brevyn Spann-Ford: practicing in full, healthy.
With Winfrey sidelined, Dallas will lean heavily on its remaining interior line rotational options: Kenny Clark, Solomon Thomas, and Mazi Smith.
Eagles Injuries
- OG Landon Dickerson: He missed Monday’s practice with a back issue but returned as a full participant on Tuesday and is expected to start.
- QB Tanner McKee: He did not practice due to a fractured thumb and will likely miss Week 1; Sam Howell is ready to play as the top backup.
- S Andrew Mukuba (hamstring) & OLB Joshua Uche (groin): Both players have been limited participants in practice; their reps will likely determine rotation roles or special teams duty.
If Dickerson can’t go, Philly will turn to Brett Toth (or Kenyon Green) at guard, and that could change blocking dynamics. But Howell’s presence adds more stability in case McKee is sidelined, and a blend of Mukuba and Uche in their respective units should mitigate any emergency depth concerns.
Main Angles to Watch
The opener looks like it’ll be a test of the football fundamentals. Can Philadelphia’s pass rush overwhelm Dallas’ retooled line, and can the Cowboys’ new offensive approach keep up with a championship roster that hasn’t changed much? Here’s what we are watching for!
Philadelphia is bringing back a defensive front that generated solid pressure throughout 2024. Dallas counters without Zack Martin and will rely on rookie guard Tyler Booker in his first NFL start. How the Cowboys handle interior pressure against a veteran group? That will be a defining storyline.
Brian Schottenheimer steps in as head coach and play-caller, and this will be the very first look at his imprint on the Dallas offense. Expect more emphasis on play-action and an effort to establish structure, but how well it works against Vic Fangio’s defense is the question of the season.
Prescott missed both meetings with Philadelphia last year. Against the Eagles’ split-safety schemes and pressure packages, he’ll have to decide whether to test CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens outside or lean on short-game options. His decision-making will dictate whether Dallas can keep up.
Hurts remains a pretty big problem for defenses when the play extends. Dallas no longer has Parsons, so the responsibility falls on Kenny Clark inside and edge players like Sam Williams to maintain rush discipline. If Hurts consistently escapes? The Cowboys’ coverage won’t hold up.
Philadelphia has Barkley as the main option with Gainwell as a change-of-pace, and Dallas will probably rotate Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders. How each staff member allocates carry in Week 1 will be a good indicator of long-term workload plans.
Our Best Bets
Below are the five bets that we’re backing for the opener! They cover the line, the total, and some player props that line up with how we (and oddsmakers) see this game playing out.
| Bet | Confidence Level | Why Do We Like It? |
|---|---|---|
Eagles –8.5 (-105) | 3.5/5 | Line has moved past the key number; Philadelphia’s roster continuity and home opener edge justify the chalk. |
Over 47.5 (-110) | 3/5 | Both offenses can generate chunk plays; defenses may take a few drives to settle in Week 1. |
Dak Prescott Over 243.5 yards (-110) | 2.5/5 | Dallas is likely forced to throw if trailing; volume should push Prescott toward the mid-240s. |
Anytime TD | A.J. Brown TD scorer (+150) | 2.5/5 | FanDuel lists Brown at +150; the matchup vs. Dallas corners makes him a prime red-zone target. |
Jalen Hurts 40+ rushing yards (+108) | 2/5 | Available at FanDuel; Hurts’ legs are a consistent factor in primetime spots. |
The above odds and lines are current as of publication. Remember to shop multiple sportsbooks for the best prices!
Trends, Stats & Historical Insights
What does the data say heading into Thursday night? Look below for the trends, stats, and historical factors!
Head-to-Head
- The Eagles swept Dallas in 2024, outscoring them 75–13.
- The Cowboys are 2–6 ATS in their last eight vs. Philadelphia.
- Dallas is 1–4 straight up in its last five road openers.
Trend Watch
- The Eagles are 8–1 ATS in their last nine season openers.
- The Over is 5–2 in Philadelphia’s last seven home openers.
- The Cowboys have gone Over in six of their last eight Week 1 games.
Sharp Insight
- The line movement from –7 to –8.5 shows early sharp action is on Philly.
- Public money is leaning toward the Over; the total could change again before kickoff.
Will the Eagles Fly Right Over the Cowboys?
We’re firmly behind the Eagles in the opener! Philly is bringing back its core from a championship run, and their balance on both sides of the ball makes them hard to match in Week 1. Dallas has a healthy Dak Prescott again, but with a new play-caller and a reshuffled offensive line? The Cowboys are running onto one of the toughest fields in the league.
From a betting standpoint, the Eagles against the spread is the clearest play. Prescott’s passing props make sense if Dallas is forced into catch-up mode, and the total has a chance to go higher if both offenses open up after halftime. Monitor the midweek injury reports on the lines and in the secondary before you lock in your bets!
Best Bets Recap
- Eagles –8.5 spread (–105): ★★★½
- Over 47.5 total points (–110): ★★★
- Dak Prescott Over 243.5 passing yards (–110): ★★½
- A.J. Brown anytime TD (+150): ★★½
- Jalen Hurts 40+ rushing yards (+108): ★★
Final Score Prediction: Eagles 31 – Cowboys 20
Hurts puts up three total touchdowns, Prescott racks up yardage chasing, and Philadelphia covers at home to start their title defense.
Want to get in on the action? You can check out our best football betting sites for the best lines going into Week 1!
