Eagles edge Cowboys 24-20 in lightning-delayed opener as Rodgers throws 4 TDs in Steelers debut
The 2025 NFL season kicked off with a bang — and a lightning delay. On Thursday, September 5, 2025, the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles held off the Dallas Cowboys 24-20 in a nail-biter at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The game, suspended for 47 minutes due to a thunderstorm rolling over the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, felt like a preview of the chaos to come. And chaos it did: four touchdown passes from a vintage Aaron Rodgers in his Pittsburgh Steelers debut, a 41-40 Bills-Ravens thriller decided by a last-second field goal, and a stunning 27-12 first-down domination by the Indianapolis Colts over the Miami Dolphins. This wasn’t just Week 1. It was a statement.
Hurts Leads Eagles Past Cowboys in Dramatic Fashion
Jalen Hurts didn’t need to throw for 300 yards to win this one. He ran for 62 yards on 14 carries and scored twice on the ground — once on a 4-yard dive, once on a 1-yard quarterback sneak — to keep the Eagles alive when the Cowboys’ defense tightened. Dak Prescott, meanwhile, threw for 188 yards and a touchdown to CeeDee Lamb, who finished with 110 receiving yards. But with 1:12 left and Dallas driving, Prescott’s final pass — a deep out to Michael Gallup — was batted down by Eagles cornerback Darius Slay. Game over. The Eagles improved to 1-0, while the Cowboys fell to 0-1, continuing their pattern of early-season heartbreaks.Rodgers Turns Back the Clock in Steelers Debut
Here’s the twist: Aaron Rodgers, 40, looked like he’d never left Green Bay. In his first game wearing black and gold, he completed 22 of 30 passes for 244 yards and four touchdowns — two to George Pickens, one each to Diontae Johnson and Calvin Ridley. The Pittsburgh Steelers trailed 32-27 with 2:15 left after Breece Hall of the New York Jets ran for 107 yards and a score. But Rodgers engineered a 75-yard drive in 1:08, capped by a 12-yard fade to Pickens. The Jets’ two-point conversion attempt failed, and Pittsburgh held on 34-32. ESPN called it “a vintage Rodgers performance” — and for fans who thought he was done, it was a wake-up call.Colts Dominate Dolphins in a Masterclass
The most lopsided game of the week wasn’t a blowout — it was a surgical strike. The Indianapolis Colts outgained the Miami Dolphins 418 yards to 211, held the ball for nearly 39 minutes, and racked up 27 first downs to Miami’s 12. Anthony Richardson, the former No. 2 overall pick, finally looked like a franchise quarterback: 22-of-29 for 272 yards, two rushing touchdowns, and zero turnovers. His favorite target? Rookie tight end Tyler Warren, who caught seven passes for 76 yards. And the defense? Even more impressive. Laiatu Latu intercepted a pass in coverage, Nick Cross leveled Tua Tagovailoa on a sack, and Kenny Moore forced a fumble recovered by Xavien Howard. Next Gen Stats revealed a chilling stat: Tua didn’t complete a single pass under pressure — and threw both interceptions when the Colts weren’t even rushing. That’s not bad luck. That’s bad football.
Bills Survive Ravens in One of the Wildest Finishes Ever
The Buffalo Bills and Baltimore Ravens played a game that’ll be replayed for decades. Lamar Jackson threw for 298 yards and ran for 87 more. Derrick Henry bulldozed for 138 yards and two touchdowns. The Ravens led 40-31 with 3:10 left. Then came the fumble — Henry, carrying the ball near the goal line, lost it. Josh Allen pounced, ran it in from one yard out, but missed the two-point conversion. The Bills needed one stop. They got it. On fourth-and-2, the Ravens chose to punt instead of going for it — a decision that stunned even their own sideline. Allen then hit Joshua Palmer for 31 yards, Keon Coleman for 25, and Matt Prater nailed a 48-yard field goal as time expired. 41-40. The Ravens dominated. The Bills won.Other Notable Results
The Washington Commanders shut out the New York Giants 21-0 — the first time New York was held scoreless in a season opener since 2015. The Green Bay Packers beat the Detroit Lions 27-13 in Lambeau, where Micah Parsons made his debut after a blockbuster trade. The San Francisco 49ers blanked the Seattle Seahawks 17-0, and the Las Vegas Raiders edged the New England Patriots 20-13 behind Geno Smith’s 362-yard, one-touchdown performance. Even the Cincinnati Bengals held off the Cleveland Browns in a gritty 28-24 win at Paycor Stadium, where Joe Burrow threw for 294 yards and two touchdowns.
What’s Next?
Week 2 begins Thursday, September 12, 2025, with the Philadelphia Eagles hosting the New Orleans Saints and the Pittsburgh Steelers traveling to face the Kansas City Chiefs. But the big question isn’t who wins — it’s whether anyone can stop the momentum of Rodgers, the Colts’ offense, or the Bills’ resilience. The 2025 season has already given us five unforgettable games. And we’re only just getting started.Frequently Asked Questions
How did Aaron Rodgers perform in his Steelers debut compared to his Packers days?
Rodgers threw four touchdowns on 22-of-30 passing with no interceptions — numbers reminiscent of his 2020 MVP season. His accuracy under pressure and quick release were nearly identical to his peak Packers years, though he relied more on play-action and short-to-intermediate routes, likely due to Pittsburgh’s less explosive receiving corps. Still, the command and poise were unmistakable.
Why did the Colts dominate the Dolphins so thoroughly?
Indianapolis’ offensive line controlled the line of scrimmage, giving Anthony Richardson time to pick apart Miami’s zone coverage. The Dolphins’ secondary was outmatched, and their pass rush generated zero pressure on Richardson — a stunning failure given their offseason investments. Miami also turned the ball over twice, both in the red zone, and lost 17 minutes of clock on three-and-outs.
What led to the Ravens’ shocking loss to the Bills?
Derrick Henry’s fumble with the Ravens leading 40-31 was the turning point, but the bigger mistake was Baltimore’s decision to punt on fourth-and-2 with 1:45 left instead of going for it. The Ravens had already converted three fourth downs that game. Coaches chose caution — and paid the price. Josh Allen capitalized with two explosive passes and a clutch field goal.
Is Jalen Hurts now considered a top-tier quarterback?
Yes. Hurts’ 14 carries for 62 yards and two touchdowns against Dallas proved he’s not just a dual-threat — he’s a complete leader. He managed the game under pressure, made smart decisions, and delivered in the red zone. His passer rating (104.3) and rushing efficiency (4.4 yards per carry) ranked among the top 5 in Week 1. He’s no longer just the guy who won the Super Bowl — he’s the face of the NFL’s new generation.
How did weather impact the Eagles-Cowboys game?
The 47-minute lightning delay disrupted both offenses’ rhythm, especially Dallas, who had just taken a 20-17 lead. The Eagles’ running game, less reliant on timing, adjusted better. Hurts’ mobility allowed him to keep drives alive after the restart, while Prescott’s rhythm was broken. The delay may have cost Dallas a chance to kick a go-ahead field goal before the break.
What does this Week 1 mean for the NFC East?
The Eagles are the clear favorites after beating Dallas in their opener. The Commanders’ shutout of the Giants adds credibility to their defense, while the Cowboys now face pressure to respond. With the Eagles’ offense clicking and their defense holding strong, they’re positioned as the division’s team to beat — unless Dallas can fix its red-zone inefficiency and turnover issues quickly.
