Lead: On Sep. 4, 2025 at Lincoln Financial Field, the Philadelphia Eagles opened their Super Bowl title defense against the Dallas Cowboys in a chaotic Week 1 game: Pro Bowl defensive tackle Jalen Carter was ejected before the first snap for allegedly spitting on Cowboys QB Dak Prescott, both teams traded multiple early touchdowns, and a severe thunderstorm produced a lengthy delay that suspended play late in the third quarter.
Key takeaways
- Jalen Carter was disqualified before the first play after an official reported he spat on Dak Prescott.
- Dallas scored on its first four possessions; Javonte Williams had multiple short rushing TDs early.
- Philadelphia’s offense countered with two Jalen Hurts rushing TDs and a Saquon Barkley rushing TD in the first half.
- The Eagles led 21-20 at halftime and had 216 total yards and a 7.2-yard per-play average in the first half.
- A lightning-related weather suspension occurred with 4:44 remaining in the third quarter; play was paused for roughly an hour before resuming plans were announced.
- Miles Sanders fumbled a third-quarter possession; Quinyon Mitchell recovered the turnover for Dallas.
- Officials noted the ejection was a disqualifying non-football act under NFL rules.
Verified facts
According to the stadium pool report, an official observed Carter spit at Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott; referee Smith called it a disqualifiable act and ejected Carter prior to the first play. The timing made this the fastest ejection in an Eagles game since Jeremiah Trotter’s pregame ejection in 2005.
Offensively, Dallas struck early. Running back Javonte Williams converted yards up the middle into two short rushing touchdowns on Dallas’ first two possessions, and the Cowboys had points on their first four drives, totaling 20 points in the first half.
Philadelphia’s offense produced three first-half touchdowns. Jalen Hurts scrambled for two rushing touchdowns and added consistent ground yardage; Saquon Barkley also scored on a rushing play. The Eagles totaled 216 yards before intermission and averaged roughly 7.2 yards per play in that span.
Special-teams and turnovers affected the third quarter: Miles Sanders fumbled on an inside handoff and Dallas’ Quinyon Mitchell recovered, giving Dallas the ball at Philadelphia’s 16 late in the third. Shortly afterward, the game was temporarily suspended for lightning with 4:44 to play in the period; an initial resumption time of 11:30 p.m. ET was announced after storms moved through.
Context & impact
Philadelphia entered the game as defending Super Bowl champions. The loss of Carter — a Pro Bowl interior defensive lineman — immediately altered the Eagles’ defensive front and the Cowboys repeatedly attacked the middle on early goal-line carries.
Dallas also began this season with a new coaching staff and fresh roster pieces, including Javonte Williams as the primary running back. Williams’ effectiveness inside highlighted a quick adjustment to Carter’s absence and emphasized how a missing interior tackle changed both teams’ early game plans.
For the Eagles, Hurts’ rushing success underscored the offense’s ability to absorb an early defensive blow. Hurts’ two rushing TDs in the first half tied a single-game career high and added to his league-leading multi-TD rushing performances.
The weather interruption further muddied momentum for both teams and could affect player recovery and game planning depending on the total delay length and any follow-up league decisions.
“One of the officials observed him spitting on an opponent,”
Referee Smith, pool report
Unconfirmed
- Whether Carter’s action made direct contact with Dak Prescott or the precise intent behind the act has not been independently verified.
- Any additional league discipline (fines or suspension beyond the in-game ejection) has not been announced.
- Final game status and any further changes to the resumption time remain subject to league and stadium decisions.
Bottom line
The opener combined high drama on and off the field: a pre-snap ejection that weakened Philadelphia’s defensive front, a back-and-forth scoring pace between two divisional rivals, and a significant weather suspension that interrupted late third-quarter action. The result will influence early-season narratives for both clubs — the Eagles for how their offense compensates without Carter, and the Cowboys for how their run game and new coaching staff capitalize on openings.