The Cowboys suffered a defeat at the hands of the Eagles.

In a season opener filled with drama and excitement, the Philadelphia Eagles emerged victorious against the Dallas Cowboys, winning 24-20. The game, played at the Lincoln Financial Field, was marked by multiple skirmishes and an unnecessary roughness penalty against the Eagles.

The Eagles' success was built on the shoulders of Jalen Hurts, who scored two rushing touchdowns. Remarkably, Hurts achieved this feat without any designed quarterback runs. His first touchdown came in the first quarter, making the Eagles the first Super Bowl champions since the 2011 Green Bay Packers to score a touchdown in their first three possessions of the season.

Saquon Barkley also found the end zone for the Eagles, scoring a 10-yard touchdown. However, his final total of 60 rushing yards was less than his 2021 season standards.

On the Cowboys' side, Brandon Aubrey made a strong impact, kicking field goals from 41 and 53 yards. Javonte Williams also contributed with two one-yard touchdowns.

The game was not without its controversial moments. Jalen Carter, the Eagles star, was ejected just six seconds into the game after exchanging words with Dak Prescott and spitting on Prescott's jersey. Fans booed as Carter slowly left the field, and he returned to the locker room a few moments after the 2024 championship banner was raised in a pre-game ceremony. Carter later apologised for his actions, expressing remorse towards his teammates, fans, and family.

The game was temporarily suspended twice due to lightning and storms around the stadium, resuming after a 65-minute delay and ending at 12:18 a.m. In a crucial moment, Dak Prescott threw an incomplete pass on a fourth-down attempt, gaining three yards, thwarting a potential Cowboys comeback. He finished the game with 188 passing yards.

Miles Sanders fumbled the ball at the 10-yard line, but the Super Bowl champions recovered it, securing their victory. The NFL may impose a hefty fine or further penalties on Carter for his unsportsmanlike conduct.

Despite the drama, the opening game of the NFL season provided a thrilling start to what promises to be an exciting season ahead.