Cowboys vs Eagles Free Pick, NFL Free Picks, NFL Predictions 9/4/25
- J.A. Cavalier
- Sep 4
- 4 min read
DALLAS @ PHILADELPHIA (PHI -8.5, 47.5)
NFL ODDS, NFL PREDICTIONS, NFL PREVIEWS
COWBOYS @ EAGLES 9/4/25
For better or worse, the Dallas Cowboys once again dominate the news, while the Philadelphia Eagles hold the Lombardi Trophy as the reigning Super Bowl champions. The 2025 NFL season begins tonight when the host Eagles hoist the banner for Super Bowl LIX before playing their NFC East opponents, who are currently being mocked for losing one of the game's top defenders.
Eagles coach Nick Sirianni and his locker room leaders won't talk about a recurrence.
"We're not discussing titles or anything else. The Dallas Cowboys are the subject of our conversation," Sirianni stated. "How can we position ourselves to win this football game, and how do you keep improving throughout the year? You have that habit. That's the only thing on our minds."
However, the champions will not receive as much attention in Week 1 as their rivals.
A week prior to the start of the season, Dallas owner Jerry Jones traded sack master Micah Parsons to the Green Bay Packers, ending a contract dispute between the two parties. The Cowboys gave up an All-Pro pass rusher in the prime of his career in exchange for defensive tackle Kenny Clark and the Packers' next two first-round draft picks. Jones justified his choice by imagining a scenario in which Parsons brings in future stars for Dallas, much like the Herschel Walker trade did at the beginning of Jones' tenure.
Dallas fans were actually furious that Parsons was traded, and those draft picks won't help this season. Dak Prescott, the franchise quarterback, did not attempt to paint the move in a favorable light.
Prescott stated, "I'm not going to say we're better," "We must go out there and demonstrate it. I won't say that by any means because even if (Parsons) were on this team, we would still need to prove it."
The Cowboys' defense was already in trouble after giving up 27.5 points per game last season. That was second-worst in the league (the Eagles were second-best at 17.8 points per game). In a revamped defensive front, Clark, journeymen Dante Fowler Jr. and Solomon Thomas will be joined by rookie defensive end Donovan Ezeiruaku.
George Pickens was acquired by Dallas to start opposite CeeDee Lamb, but the Cowboys run game remains uncertain. After a 1,000-yard season, Rico Dowdle left in free agency, and the Cowboys will use rookie Jaydon Blue out of the backfield in addition to veterans Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders.
After the team moved on from Mike McCarthy, they will all need to work together under Brian Schottenheimer as their new coach. The career assistant receives his first opportunity as a head coach after being promoted from offensive coordinator.
"Not much has changed. My objectives remain unchanged. Following the Parsons trade, Schottenheimer stated, "Our team's goals haven't changed." "After discussing the difficult few days for all of the guys, I slapped the players on that. Nothing changes. "The standard is the standard."
The Eagles, who defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 40–22 in February, won't look all that different. A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith continue to lead the receiving corps, the defense is still stacked, and Saquon Barkley will attempt to duplicate the ninth 2,000-yard rushing season in league history.
Jalen Hurts, a two-time Pro Bowl quarterback, can also claim to be a Super Bowl champion, regardless of what his detractors say. Last season, he had his fourth consecutive season with double-digit rushing touchdowns (14), despite throwing for only 2,903 yards and 18 touchdowns in 15 starts. Nobody will gain more from the owners' decision to reject last spring's attempts to outlaw the "tush push" play.
Three-time Pro Bowl left guard Landon Dickerson (back) was able to practice on Tuesday, which was good news for the Eagles. After missing training camp due to a right knee injury and missing Monday's practice because of a back problem, he was doubtful for the opener.
Tanner McKee, the Eagles' backup quarterback (right thumb), was limited in his ability to use his right hand on the field and missed practice on Monday and Tuesday.
Due to a back injury, Dallas was unable to use defensive tackle Perrion Winfrey. The Cowboys' injury report no longer includes left tackle Tyler Guyton and left cornerback Trevon Diggs, who both practiced throughout the week.
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FREE PICK: JAVONTE WILLIAMS UNDER 34.5 RUSHING YARDS
With the Cowboys such a huge underdog, expect them to be playing catch up a lot tonight. That means fewer rushing attempts for guys like Williams. The Cowboys were not a great running team last year - 27th in rushing yards per game (100.3) and 30th in yards per attempt (4.0). Williams failed to reach this number in seven straight games and 8 of his last 10. Over those 10 games, Williams averaged 19.7 yards per game. Philly has one of the best defenses in the NFL making it hard to see Williams having much success tonight..
