Game Preview of Philadelphia Eagles @ Dallas Cowboys. Week 1 of 2025 NFL Season
Dallas leans pass while Philadelphia is more run-focused. In 2024, the Cowboys threw on 57% of early downs (well above league average), whereas the Eagles skewed run-lean. That sets up strength-on-strength versus Philly’s defense, which ranked near the top against the pass by expected rate.
Explosiveness profiles point to air yards deciding it. Philadelphia generated more chunk gains through the air and Dallas allowed a higher rate than average, an “explosive pass” environment, while explosive runs are less likely than average. Protection could swing drives: Dallas’ sack rate on dropbacks (6%) meets an Eagles defense that allowed sacks at roughly 7%, a slight edge to the visitor’s pass pro.
Counterweights exist. Philly’s offense was efficient in the red zone, while Dallas’ defense allowed touchdowns on a high share of red-zone trips. Penalties may matter too, Dallas’ offense was among the most penalized, while Philly’s defense was disciplined, creating hidden-yardage risk for the Cowboys.
Note: All team stats for the week 1 games are from 2024
Date | Opponent | Result | ATS | O/U |
---|---|---|---|---|
2025-02-09 | vs KC | W 40-22 | W +-1.5 | o48.5 |
2025-01-26 | vs WAS | W 55-23 | W +6.0 | o46.5 |
2025-01-19 | vs LAR | W 28-22 | W +7.0 | o43.5 |
2025-01-12 | vs GB | W 22-10 | W +5.5 | u45.5 |
2025-01-05 | vs NYG | W 20-13 | W +3.0 | u36.5 |
2024-12-29 | vs DAL | W 41-7 | W +7.5 | o37.5 |
2024-12-22 | @ WAS | L 33-36 | W +-4.0 | o47.0 |
2024-12-15 | vs PIT | W 27-13 | W +5.5 | u43.0 |
2024-12-08 | vs CAR | W 22-16 | W +14.0 | u44.5 |
2024-12-01 | @ BAL | W 24-19 | W +3.0 | u50.0 |
Style clash: DAL pass-led (57% early-down pass share) vs PHI run-lean approach.
Explosive-pass tilt favors big plays: PHI created more chunk passes and DAL allowed more than average; explosive runs are dampened.
Pass protection edge to DAL: 6% offensive sack rate vs PHI’s ~7% allowed.
PHI pass defense graded elite by expected pass rate allowed; DAL faces a tough secondary by the numbers.
DAL run D stuffs at a top-tier rate, a direct test for PHI’s ground game.
Discipline gap: DAL offense had one of the highest penalty rates; PHI defense among the lowest.
Moneyline: Consensus favors PHI (≈73% implied) over DAL (≈27%).
Spread: PHI -7.5; cover probabilities are essentially split (home 49% / away 50%).
Total: 47.5 with no consensus lean (50% over / 50% under).
Best available prices (as of the latest update): DAL +230 ML; PHI -417 ML; O47.5 -111; U47.5 -114; DAL +7.5 -118; PHI -7.5 -111.
This shapes up as Dallas’ downfield passing versus Philadelphia’s balanced, red-zone-capable attack backed by a stingy pass defense. Explosive plays through the air may be the separator, with Dallas’ protection offering a small edge but Philly’s coverage metrics pushing back.
Injuries on both lines bear watching, Philadelphia lists LG Landon Dickerson as questionable, which could shift sack and efficiency outcomes. With the spread and total priced near equilibrium, market consensus leans Eagles on the moneyline while ATS and O/U look coin-flippy.
Statistic | Offense | Rank | Defense | Rank | Advantage |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Total Points | 463 | #7 | 468 | #31 | |
Total Points Per Game | 27.2 | #7 | 27.5 | #31 | |
Total Touchdowns | 53 | #7 | 54 | #31 | |
Passing Touchdowns | 24 | #12 | 28 | #24 | |
Rushing Touchdowns | 29 | #3 | 25 | #32 | |
Other Touchdowns | 0 | #27 | 1 | #18 | |
Total Kicking Points | 131 | #15 | 136 | #24 | |
Total Two Point Conversions | 3 | #7 | 1 | #21 | |
Kick Extra Points | 47 | #6 | 49 | #4 |
Statistic | Offense | Rank | Defense | Rank | Advantage |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Net Passing Yards | 3194 | #29 | 3708 | #17 | |
Net Passing Yards Per Game | 188 | #29 | 218 | #16 | |
Passer Rating | 103 | #5 | 99.5 | #5 | 🏈 |
Passing Attempts | 448 | #32 | 512 | #6 | |
Completions | 303 | #31 | 349 | #11 | |
Completion Percentage | 67.6 | #8 | 68.2 | #27 | |
Passing 1st downs | 168 | #26 | 175 | #7 | |
Passing 1st Down % | 46.7 | #32 | 51.2 | #4 | |
Longest Pass | 67 | #20 | 86 | #5 | |
Passing Fumbles Lost | 3 | #24 | 7 | #28 | |
Receiving Targets | 418 | #32 | 493 | #7 | |
Receptions | 303 | #31 | 349 | #11 | |
Receiving Yards After Catch | 1576 | #30 | 2111 | #29 | |
YAC Average | 5.2 | #17 | 6.0 | #31 |
Statistic | Offense | Rank | Defense | Rank | Advantage |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Rushing Yards | 3048 | #2 | 2331 | #29 | |
Rushing Yards Per Game | 179 | #2 | 137 | #29 | |
Rushing Attempts | 621 | #1 | 482 | #21 | |
Yards Per Rush Attempt | 4.9 | #5 | 4.8 | #28 | |
Rushing 1st downs | 164 | #1 | 141 | #31 | |
20+ Yard Rushing Plays | 25 | #2 | 12 | #20 | |
Long Rushing | 72 | #7 | 45 | #30 | |
Rushing Fumbles | 25 | #2 | 12 | #20 | |
Rushing Fumbles Lost | 2 | #16 | 1 | #5 |