Before the weather interruption in the second half of the Dallas Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles matchup, we witnessed an exhilarating beginning from the very first moments. With the Eagles leading 24-20 over the Cowboys, this game showcased the physicality of both teams' offenses and defenses. It had all the essential elements for a thrilling divisional rivalry clash.

1. Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter's early ejection established the game's atmosphere.

Just six seconds into the game, right after the Eagles' Super Bowl banner ceremony, Jalen Carter, the Eagles' defensive tackle, was thrown out for spitting on Cowboys' QB Dak Prescott, leading to his immediate ejection from the game. Following this, Prescott and he had a brief exchange of words. This incident appeared to lay the groundwork for a highly physical contest.

2. The game halted in the middle of the third quarter due to thunderstorms.

With the Eagles ahead 24-20 late in the third quarter, the game was interrupted because of lightning, disrupting the flow and raising questions about when or how the rest of the game would continue.

This delay occurred during a much-anticipated season opener, putting fans, teams and broadcast crews in a state of uncertainty. The teams were finally allowed to return to the field at 11:15 pm EST for warm-ups, and the game resumed at 11:30 pm EST.

3. Physicality and also... physicality served as the foundation of this game

When the Cowboys' Coach, Brian Schottenheimer, stated that the Cowboys were going to run the ball with intent, he truly meant it. RB Javonte Williams spearheaded the effort with 15 carries for 54 yards and 2 touchdowns, relentlessly attacking the middle and bringing the physicality. Additionally, former Eagles RB Miles Sanders contributed with some significant outside runs, helping the Cowboys with four carries for 53 yards, averaging 13.5 yards per carry.

On the Eagles' side, QB Jalen Hurts emerged as the leading rusher with 14 carries for 62 yards and 2 touchdowns. When the Cowboys employed man coverage without a QB spy, Hurts exploited a gap in the defense and took off running, resulting in numerous first downs.

The Cowboys' run defense displayed slight improvements, managing to hold the 2024 Offensive Player of the Year, RB Saquon Barkley, to under 100 rushing yards. He finished with 18 carries for 60 yards, a touchdown and an average of 3.3 yards per carry.

Conclusion

The Cowboys appear to be more physical on both sides of the ball, though there is still room for growth. TE Jake Ferguson seems to be Prescott's go-to safety valve in the offense, while CeeDee Lamb made some impressive plays but also dropped some crucial catches.

We also got a glimpse of what George Pickens can contribute to this offense. Edge rusher Marshawn Kneeland demonstrated signs of physicality and run-stopping prowess in this matchup.

Once LB Marist Liufau entered the game, the defense seemed to shift into a higher gear. This team has shown potential but still has a lot of room to develop. The Eagles secured a victory on Thursday with a score of 24-20, but I believe that in the second round of this season, the Cowboys might come out on top.