Eagles vs Cowboys Suspended Due to Lightning, Philly Holding 24-20 Lead Late in Third Quarter
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Philadelphia, PA – September 5, 2025
The NFL’s opening clash between the Eagles and Cowboys delivered plenty of fireworks on the field—until Mother Nature provided some of her own. With 4:44 left in the third quarter, play was officially suspended due to lightning in the Philadelphia area.
At the time of the stoppage, the Eagles held a narrow 24-20 lead. Jalen Hurts had already accounted for two touchdowns, while Dallas responded with a balanced attack led by Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb. Momentum was swinging back and forth in true NFC East fashion.
Fans inside Lincoln Financial Field were asked to leave their seats and take cover as safety protocols went into effect. What was set up to be a dramatic finish between bitter rivals instead turned into a long and tense wait.
The timing was particularly eerie given the Eagles’ banner night celebrations, as the reigning Super Bowl LIX champions had looked poised to make a statement in their first test of 2025. Hurts and his teammates had been emphasizing a new season, a new goal: chasing back-to-back rings.
Jalen Hurts himself made it clear earlier in the week that Philadelphia wasn’t living in the past. “We can’t get caught up in last year. It’s about seizing the opportunity right now,” Hurts said. That mindset was on full display before the lightning delay brought everything to a halt.
For Eagles Nation, the storm felt like another chapter in the rivalry’s drama—a game that had already seen heated exchanges, big plays, and playoff-level intensity. Now, all eyes are on when the players can safely return to finish what was shaping up as a classic.