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Jon Gruden Predicts Winner of Eagles-Cowboys Game

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Ryan Ward | Last updated Sep 2, 2025 12:34 AM ET

The start of the 2025 NFL season is only days away, with the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles set to host the division rival Dallas Cowboys at Lincoln Financial Field on Sept. 4.

With every team in the league starting from scratch, the first game of the regular season is always tough to pick a winner, as there's no telling whether what transpired in the offseason in terms of moves and roster changes will impact either team. Even though these NFC East divisional showdowns are always highly competitive battles on the gridiron every year, the 2025 campaign might be a bit different between these two prominent and prestigious franchises.

Former NFL head coach Jon Gruden, who now works for Barstool Sports, previewed this NFC East clash and had to pivot due to the shocking trade of Micah Parsons. The Cowboys chose not to see eye-to-eye with Parsons on a lucrative long-term contract extension and granted the superstar's trade request by shipping him to the Green Bay Packers.

Obviously, the Cowboys' decision to move on from arguably one of the best linebackers in the league changes things quite a bit. The Eagles were already considered the favorite, with the storied franchise fresh off a Super Bowl win and able to keep their championship team relatively intact, led by stars Jalen Hurts and Saquon Barkley.

Gruden took the move into account and ultimately predicted that the Eagles would start the season with a 1-0 record, beating their arch rivals in Philadelphia.

The Eagles will head into the 2025 campaign as the team to beat in the NFC and, by extension, the entire NFL. Hurts and company proved last season that they are the cream of the crop, armed with an elite offense and a lockdown defense. Philadelphia has a proven winner and leader under center, while also potentially having the best player in the league in Barkley.

Micah Parsons Trade Changes Everything for Dallas

Parsons no longer being on the Cowboys is a game-changer in the worst way for the Cowboys, who already struggled to stop the run last season. Dallas' defense will almost certainly struggle without its leader calling the shots at the linebacker position, which might be enough for them to miss the NFL playoffs, considering the elite competition in the conference, let alone the NFC East with the upstart Washington Commanders and the Eagles likely being the only two teams in the running to win the division title.

There's a good chance it'll be a rough season for the Cowboys while the Eagles make a strong case to repeat as Super Bowl champions, with one of the most well-rounded rosters in the league.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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