Javonte Williams seized the Cowboys’ backfield in his debut, scoring on the first two drives and signaling a potential Week 1 RB1 role as Dallas reshaped its running game this offseason. Williams handled early-down work and goal-line snaps, with Miles Sanders and Jaydon Blue factoring in but Williams edging ahead as the primary back in the early game script.

Philadelphia’s Will Shipley emerged as the Eagles’ new top backup before leaving with a rib injury, making Barkley the likely primary back if Shipley misses time. The backfield uncertainties across both teams, plus KaVontae Turpin and Tolbert’s snapping patterns, created a maze for fantasy managers to parse for early-season DFS and season-long rosters.

Dallas opened 2025 with Javonte Williams punching in from a yard out for the Cowboys’ first TD, six plays after Jalen Carter’s ejection and a quick 53-yard march. CeeDee Lamb snagged pivotal early catches to set up the scoring drive as Dak Prescott started hot. Williams shares the backfield with Miles Sanders and Hunter Luepke, signaling a flexible, multi-weapon attack for fantasy rosters.

This opener underscored a Dallas offense that can lean on the run game in short-yardage while keeping Lamb as the primary aerial weapon. Williams’ 1-yard TD hints at a meaningful early role in a backfield that can sustain varied game plans, while Sanders provides reliable upside as a featured contributor.

Dak Prescott navigated the Parsons trade with a steady, businesslike lens, stressing focus on Philadelphia and praising Kenny Clark as a leader who can elevate the Cowboys. Four days after Parsons moved to Green Bay for Kenny Clark and picks, Prescott signaled relief at the resolution and warned against overreaching claims of improvement, while locker-room rhythms remained unchanged as Dallas prepares for Week 4 against the Eagles.

The move shifts interior disruption to a Packers-ward front and leaves the Cowboys leaning on leadership from Odighizuwa and team unity. Prescott’s early messages with Parsons hint at boundary-setting rather than lingering drama, and Odighizuwa’s captaincy underscores a revamped, resilient defense as Dallas eyes a tough early-season slate.

Dallas and Philadelphia open the 2025 season in prime time at Lincoln Financial Field, the 32nd Cowboys–Eagles showdown in the NFL’s history—a marquee matchup that has become the league’s most played primetime pairing. The betting line sits Eagles -7.5 with an over/under around 46.5, signaling a tough, high-stakes Week 1 tilt.

Dallas headlines center on DaRon Bland’s four-year extension and Micah Parsons’ looming impact, with Dak Prescott under pressure to deliver in prime time. The Cowboys also tout 2025 newcomers such as George Pickens and Tyler Booker as players to watch, while the schedule sketches a tough early test before four subsequent games against divisional and NFC opponents.