Football fans are furious over one of the marquee game announcements on the 2025 NFL schedule.
The full NFL schedule for 2025 will be released at 8:00 p.m. EST on Wednesday. However, the league and its broadcast partners have already announced several games for the upcoming season, including the NFL Kickoff Game on Sept. 4.
The league announced that the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles will kick off the 2025 season against the NFC East rival Dallas Cowboys at Lincoln Financial Field in the Sept. 4 kickoff game.
This will be Philly’s first NFL Kickoff Game appearance since 2018, when they raised their Super Bowl 52 championship banner at home against the Atlanta Falcons. Dallas also played in the 2012 and 2021 kickoff games on the road against the defending Super Bowl champion New York Giants and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, respectively.
Dallas has always been a fixture for prime time games on the NFL schedule, so it’s not surprising that they get to participate in the Kickoff Game. However, plenty of football fans are nonetheless disappointed and angry about the announcement:
“Great, another season of the Cowboys in primetime being shoved down our throats,” a user wrote.
Great, another season of the Cowboys in primetime being shoved down our throats.
— Joe Osborne (@JTFOz) May 12, 2025
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“The cowboys didn’t even make the playoffs so I’m not sure why they’re opening the season,” wrote a fan.
The cowboys didn’t even make the playoffs so I’m not sure why they’re opening the season.
— Metroidman (@Metroidman215) May 12, 2025
“Nice, a night off from football,” quipped a user.
Nice, a night off from football.
— Rival Indigo (@RivalIndigo) May 12, 2025
“Cowboys/Eagles is the most boring opening game in recent memory,” said a fan.
Cowboys/Eagles is the most boring opening game in recent memory.
— Johnny Machiavelli (@DUVAL_DOOM) May 12, 2025
“lol. Every year all the hype with the Cowboys. They stink and have for 30 yrs. Eagles vs Lions, Chiefs, Ravens, Bills, Vikings. All great opening games. Cowboys? We’ll listen to the hype all Summer and they’ll get smoked and go 9-8 as usual,” wrote another.
lol. Every year all the hype with the Cowboys. They stink and have for 30 yrs. Eagles vs Lions, Chiefs, Ravens, Bills, Vikings. All great opening games. Cowboys? We'll listen to the hype all Summer and they'll get smoked and go 9-8 as usual.
— Michael Smith (@smitty370) May 13, 2025
“Super Bowl Champs vs a 7-10 team 🤦🏾♂️🤦🏾♂️,” a fan commented.
Super Bowl Champs vs a 7-10 team 🤦🏾♂️🤦🏾♂️
— Mario (@ELMario2050) May 12, 2025
The NFL usually pits another heavyweight to go up against the defending Super Bowl champion in the Kickoff Game, such as the Buffalo Bills with the Los Angeles Rams in 2022 or the Baltimore Ravens with the Kansas Chiefs last year.
Dallas finished a disappointing 7-10 last year, but the league is banking on Dak Prescott and company to put up a fight against Jalen Hurts, Saquon Barkley and the defending champions.
Other Confirmed Games On The 2025 NFL Schedule
The league has also confirmed four other games on the 2025 schedule ahead of Wednesday’s full release: The Eagles vs. the Chicago Bears on Black Friday, Philly at the Washington Commanders and Green Bay Packers at Chicago on Dec. 20 and the Denver Broncos at Kansas City on Christmas Day.
Also Schedule: NFL Announces Decision On Peacock Regular-Season Game Ahead Of Schedule Release
