The Philadelphia Eagles began their NFL season with a 24-20 win over the Dallas Cowboys, highlighted by strong performances from several key players.
First-round draft pick Jihaad Campbell made his debut for the Eagles, contributing significantly on defense. Campbell broke up a pass deep downfield and later worked with defensive tackle Byron Young to force a fumble that changed the momentum of the game. Campbell reflected on his first game: “It was very special just to come out here and represent [the] Philadelphia Eagles organization,” Campbell said. “My family, I appreciate them for coming out and supporting me. This brotherhood and this amazing staff that we have here, I’m blessed and I’m honored to be in this position that I’m in today. Everybody that was on the field was just trusting me and welcoming me to just be myself out there on the field.”
Campbell played more than 90 percent of the defensive snaps alongside Zack Baun, who had missed much of training camp due to injury but performed well in the opener. Campbell commented on their partnership: “I think it’s just the mindset of the linebackers in our room in general and the standard that we play with, for our whole team, all around the board,” Campbell said. “So once we got on the field, we understood the communication factor. We understood where to line up and just how to play together.”
Zack Baun also received praise from teammates after chasing down Dallas running back Miles Sanders late in the third quarter at a speed of 20.68 miles per hour—his fastest ever during a game—and preventing a touchdown. This effort set up a forced fumble by Campbell and Young shortly afterward.
“He does it in practice, run to the ball,” Campbell said postgame. “Even if the whistles blow and Saquon [Barkley], he’s running all the way downfield, Zack is still chasing him just to get that conditioning, just to get that muscle memory in his brain. That’s something that I admire.”
Head Coach Nick Sirianni called Baun’s effort a “seven-point tackle” as Dallas failed to score for the rest of that drive. Safety Reed Blankenship added: “That’s the standard that we set,” safety Reed Blankenship said. “Obviously, you can talk about (the standard) all you want, but when you put it on film, that’s another thing. Zack’s a heck of a player. That’s why he’s been voted captain – the effort, physicality, the mentality, he’s got all the things you need. We listen to him, but just watching him chase that guy down, he’s a freak.” Defensive back Cooper DeJean noted: “It’s big-time, especially with how that drive ended, being able to get that fumble and get the ball back to our offense, so that’s huge. Coach (Sirianni) talked all week about relentless effort to the football, especially early in the season when things aren’t going to be perfect or the way you want them to be with tackling, miscommunication, maybe someone missing an assignment, but relentless effort can help you out of those things and that’s what he’s been preaching.”
Special teams contributed as Jake Elliott converted a 58-yard field goal early in the second half—a crucial three points in what became a close contest.
“He’s one of the most clutch guys I’ve ever been around,” Head Coach Nick Sirianni said. “His mental toughness is something that kids and all sorts of athletes should study at all times and say, ‘Man, how does this guy handle the ups and downs?’ Everyone’s saying how bad he is (after some misses in 2024), and then he comes back and he responds. That’s what it’s about.”
Sirianni also credited special teams coaches Michael Clay, Joe Pannunzio, and Tyler Brown for their planning: “(Special Teams Coordinator) Michael Clay just did a great job with his plan today, and (Assistant Special Teams Coordinator) Joe Pannunzio and Tyler Brown [Special Teams Assistant], they did a great job of their plan,” Sirianni said. “Braden (Mann) and Jake did a great job of placing the ball where it needed to. Our coverage units, I was really pleased with how we defeated blocks and how we tackled when we had to tackle because Braden put some placements on some balls that were really good.”
Veteran offensive lineman Lane Johnson described Thursday’s win as memorable: “It’s one of the more memorable ones for me,” Johnson said. “It was an ugly win. I’ll remember this game for a long time, but we’ll take it.” The Eagles scored touchdowns on their first three drives before adding Elliott’s field goal on their fourth possession.
Johnson stressed starting fast at season’s outset has value: “The first four or five weeks of the season are very pivotal,” Johnson said. “You see what guys are going to do try and stop you and you try to counter-act what they’re doing.”
Wide receiver A.J. Brown made his only catch late in the game during an important moment as quarterback Jalen Hurts connected with him for eight yards on second-and-long.
“There are some things we got to be better at and great job by him staying patient and in the big moment making a play—the most important play of the game in my eyes—and then we were able to get ourselves in position to convert that third down and wind down clock,” Hurts said after praising Brown’s readiness.
Brown responded about not seeing many targets: “That’s something that I can’t control,” Brown said on lack of targets. “The only thing I can control is what I do with balls (that come my way).”
On defense All-Pro tackle Jalen Carter was ejected before play began for unsportsmanlike conduct after spitting toward Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott.
“It’s a mistake that happened on my side and it won’t happen again,” Carter said after taking responsibility postgame.”I feel bad for my teammates and fans out there…I’m doing it for my family also but fans show most love.” Video indicated Prescott spit toward Philadelphia’s huddle prior; Carter declined using this as an excuse.
Lane Johnson commented: “You could tell he’s absolutely gutted…He’s human…He’s going learn from mistakes like I did when young player…At halftime break he was coaching guys up…We wish we had him out there he’ll learn from this.”
With Carter ejected Jordan Davis played nearly every snap along with Moro Ojomo while Byron Young helped force another turnover during his time on field.
