Eagles expect to soar again

The 2025 NFL season kicked off with bitter NFC East division rivals the Philadelphia Eagles facing the Dallas Cowboys.

As defending Super Bowl champions with home field advantage, this Week 1 matchup on Thursday night heavily favoured the Eagles, boasting quarterback Jalen Hurts who led them to glory last season.  Across 15 games last season, Hurts tossed 18 touchdowns and also recorded 14 rushing touchdowns. Hurts was effective in the postseason. Through four contests, he collected 10 total touchdowns.

The Cowboys are not amongst the favourites to feature at the end of the campaign but with their rich NFL pedigree should certainly not be written off.

The Baltimore Ravens are ranked second. With quarterback Lamar Jackson showing his legendary work ethic in training, they are the obvious contenders to usurp the Eagles. 

Jackson, a two-time NFL Most Valuable Player, is constantly chasing perfection. When asked if there was another level to his game, Jackson replied: “Yes. I’m only 28. I’m really just getting started.”

As the Ravens prepare to open the season Sunday night at the Buffalo Bills, Jackson is facing increasing pressure to follow a spectacular regular season with an equally remarkable postseason.

Green Bay Packers were fourth in defensive expected points added (7.1 per 100 snaps) a year ago despite not having a player in the top 35 in sacks. Now, Matt LaFleur and company have Micah Parsons, who’s had at least 12 sacks every year he’s been in the league. The Packers face the Detroit Lions on Sunday.

The Buffalo Bills are certainly capable of going all the way. Coming off his first MVP award, Josh Allen sat out all three preseason games, and running back James Cook signed a new deal after a civil hold-in process. Most everyone stayed healthy. Mitch Trubisky won the backup quarterback job. Now, let’s see how things go against the Ravens on Sunday night.

With Patrick Mahomes leading the way, Kansas City Chiefs are always dangerous. Rashee Rice accepted a six-game suspension to start the season stemming from a 2024 car accident. That’s not debilitating for a team that doesn’t need to be in top form until December anyway. The Chiefs face the Chargers on Friday night.

Lions head coach Dan Campbell is delighted that star defensive end Aidan Hutchinson is returning from a broken leg that ended his 2024 season in Week 6. Last season Jared Goff threw 37 touchdown passes, Jahmyr Gibbs scored an NFL-high 20 touchdowns and three other players scored at least eight times.