Philadelphia,Mo – May 12, 2025
The NFL stunned fans on May 14, 2025, unveiling a lackluster season opener that left analysts scratching their heads. Pitting a Super Bowl titan against a middling squad, the league’s choice for the 2025 kickoff sparked widespread criticism. Why did the NFL fumble this high-stakes showcase?
The Philadelphia Eagles, fresh off a 40-22 Super Bowl LIX rout of the Chiefs, will host the Atlanta Falcons on September 4 at Lincoln Financial Field, airing on NBC at 8:20 p.m. EST. Falcons’ 7-10 record in 2024, led by Kirk Cousins’ 3,973 passing yards, pales against Philly’s 14-3 juggernaut. “It’s a snooze,” NFL Network’s Rich Eisen groaned.
Eagles fans, expecting a blockbuster like Chiefs or Cowboys, flooded X with complaints, calling the matchup unworthy of Jalen Hurts’ banner-raising night. Yet, Philly’s arsenal—Saquon Barkley, A.J. Brown, and Jihaad Campbell—promises a lopsided thrashing. Atlanta’s Calvin Ridley, with 1,016 yards in 2024, offers a glimmer of intrigue against Cooper DeJean’s lockdown secondary.
ESPN’s Dan Orlovsky defended the Eagles’ draw, citing Hurts’ 221-yard, three-touchdown Super Bowl masterclass as must-watch TV. “Philly will shine,” Orlovsky said. The NFL’s misstep, favoring a safe primetime slot over a clash of titans, ignores Philly’s six other high-profile games, including Bills and Packers road tests.
The Eagles are poised to dominate 2025, with Vic Fangio’s defense and Howie Roseman’s draft gems like Andrew Mukuba fueling a repeat bid. This opener may lack sizzle, but Philly’s firepower ensures a statement win. Eagles fans, gear up to soar in this season’s launch.
