“If this team plays like last season, we could be in for a shootout to start us off. So, Who Will the SB59 Champion Philadelphia Eagles Face Opening Night?”
The 2025 NFL Draft is officially in the books, and soon enough, the upcoming schedule will be released. Much like in previous years, NFL Media will very likely release certain games, such as Opening Night. Just before the Draft, it was announced that the Chargers & Lions would play in the Hall of Fame game. Assuming the reigning champion Philadelphia Eagles are hosting, who would be the best matchup to start the season? Each team’s opponents were announced after the regular season finished. Let’s take a look at 3 teams that could face the Birds:
1) Washington Commanders
Expect Jayden Daniels to be a top 5 QB this coming season. The reigning Rookie of the Year was nearly an MVP after being one win shy of the Super Bowl. Quick recap from last year: The Commanders defeated their divisional opponent Eagles, without Jalen Hurts, who went down in the first quarter with a concussion. Fast forward from Week 16 to the Wild Card game against the Packers, and Hurts plays without an injury designation. When these two met in the NFC Championship game, Saquon Barkley ran all over this depleted defense. Two weeks later, Barkley & his teammates are raising the Lombardi Trophy after stopping the Chiefs’ three-peat. Looking toward this season, the offense made a couple of changes. Daniels has a new weapon in DC with the signing of WR Deebo Samuel. He should get a little more pocket protection now that they drafted an OT in round one of the draft. If this team plays like last season, we could be in for a shootout to start us off. This is all the motivation for Jayden Daniels to go into Philadelphia and win. Speaking of teams, Washington defeated last season……
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2) Detroit Lions vs. Philadelphia Eagles
After going 15-2 last season, I was really hoping my Lions would have at least made the Super Bowl. That first round Bye seemed to have hurt more than helped. They didn’t seem to have the same momentum throughout the course of the game like they did throughout the season. Had they beaten the Commanders, we would have seen the top 2 teams in the conference. Of course, that matchup never happened. Now, with the Lions destined to play in Philly, why not start the season with these two teams? Before the draft, the Lions extended Kerby Joseph to a 4 year, $86 million extension. This makes him the highest paid Safety in the league. With all the injuries the team faced a year ago, it was clear they needed to address defense in the Draft. Their round one selection was DT Tyleik Williams. Hopefully, the team will have Aidan Hutchinson back after his gruesome injury a year ago, along with DL Alim McNeil.
3) Dallas Cowboys
The look on CeeDee Lamb‘s face in this picture really says it all: “Really? I couldn’t have gotten a WR2 in Round One of the Draft? Why can’t we be like the Vikings and get another receiver? How else did Justin Jefferson & Jordan Addison make it to the playoffs?”
Not only did the Cowboys pass up on Ohio State WR Emeka Egbuka, but they also Texas WR Matthew Golden. However, they drafted a Longhorns player on offense: RB Jaydon Blue. The two RBs likely to start the season in Dallas are Miles Sanders & Javonte Williams. If either of them gets injured, again, I expect Jaydon Blue to be suited up in Royal Blue. Until then, this offense has two injury-prone veterans running the ball.
What does this mean once they play their divisional opponent Eagles? Well, for one, it gives Philly a chance to use rookie LB Jihaad Campbell. After recording over 10 tackles for loss at Alabama last year, he should be able to slow down Dem’Boys. It also might not be the best first game for CeeDee Lamb fantasy managers. Last year, he had only 6 TDs last season and 0 against the Eagles. Not to mention, this is a new season for both Cooper DeJean & Quinyon Mitchell. It doesn’t get better for the Cowboys. After tearing his hamstring last season, QB Dak Prescott might not be ready for OTAs in a couple of weeks. Even if he is ready by Opening Night, the Philadelphia Eagles will likely pick up right where they left off. So why start the season with a potential blowout? If there’s any garbage time at all, it would be great to see Blue and the other rookies play. Plus, the NFL loves giving the Cowboys the national spotlight. They might as well do most football fans a favor and get this one out of the way.
