Eagles hold off Cowboys as Week 1 delivers early surprises and close finishes
Philadelphia opens Super Bowl defense with a 24-20 victory; Colts, Chargers and Bills among teams producing notable Week 1 results
The Philadelphia Eagles opened their Super Bowl title defense with a 24-20 victory over the Dallas Cowboys Thursday night, while the first full weekend of the 2025 NFL season produced several surprising results and dramatic finishes.
Philadelphia's win in the season opener came amid a sideline incident that drew attention before kickoff, when Eagles defensive lineman Jalen Carter was seen in an interaction with Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott. On the field, quarterback Jalen Hurts and the Eagles defense held off Dallas in a tightly contested NFC East clash.
Other headline results from Week 1 included the Los Angeles Chargers rallying to beat the Kansas City Chiefs 27-21 in a game played in Brazil, a result that handed Kansas City an early setback in its pursuit of another postseason run. The Indianapolis Colts routed the Miami Dolphins 33-8, with quarterback Daniel Jones directing an efficient attack that left Colts fans encouraged about their new starter. The Buffalo Bills prevailed in a wild 41-40 game against the Baltimore Ravens when kicker Matt Prater drilled a game-winning field goal in the closing moments.
The weekend produced a string of single-score games and noteworthy performances across the league. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers opened with a 23-20 win over the Atlanta Falcons. The Cincinnati Bengals squeaked past the Cleveland Browns 17-16. The Las Vegas Raiders defeated the New England Patriots 20-13, and the Arizona Cardinals beat the New Orleans Saints 20-13.
Several traditional powerhouses recorded results that will demand early-season adjustments from coaches. The Pittsburgh Steelers edged the New York Jets 34-32 in a high-scoring affair, while the San Francisco 49ers managed a 17-13 victory over the Seattle Seahawks. The Green Bay Packers defeated the Detroit Lions 27-13, and the Denver Broncos beat the Tennessee Titans 20-12. The Los Angeles Rams opened with a 14-9 win over the Houston Texans, and the Jacksonville Jaguars topped the Carolina Panthers 26-10.
The Bills-Ravens game featured multiple lead changes and a late touchdown that set the stage for Prater's decisive kick. An image from the game captured teammates swarming Prater after the successful field goal that delivered Buffalo a one-point win.
Week 1 also included an upset-style result when the Chargers defeated the Chiefs in Brazil, an international neutral-site matchup that tested both teams early in the season. The results leave several divisions unsettled heading into Week 2 and provide early evaluation points for teams making roster or scheme changes in the offseason.
The regular season will resume Monday night when the Minnesota Vikings visit the Chicago Bears. Coaches and players will use the coming week to address injuries and refine game plans after the opening weekend's tests. NFL teams now turn their attention to next Sunday's slate, trying to build on wins or correct course after early losses.