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The much-anticipated 2025/26 NFL season opener, the Eagles vs. Cowboys Game, kicked off Thursday night with all the energy and hype fans expected. Both teams came out swinging, and the showdown lived up to its billing through nearly three quarters. But just as momentum was building, Mother Nature had other plans, forcing the game to a sudden halt after lightning in the area prompted an extended delay.
In the first half, both offenses came out firing, combining for seven straight scoring drives, and keeping fans glued to their seats. Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott and Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts looked like they were already in midseason form, trading blows in a back-and-forth duel. And by the break, the Philadelphia Eagles were holding a slim 21-20 lead, keeping the packed crowd at Lincoln Financial Field on edge.
The momentum carried into the second half, at least for a while. With the Eagles hanging on to a 24-20 lead and 4:44 left in the third, the game came to an unexpected halt. Lightning strikes near the stadium forced officials to stop the game, sending players back to the locker rooms and pushing fans into the concourses for safety. The delay stretched more than an hour, making it one of the rare occasions where a season opener was directly interrupted by weather.
And while rare, this wasn’t the first time it happened. The last time the Eagles opened a season as reigning champions, their 2018 Thursday night matchup against the Atlanta Falcons was delayed about 45 minutes due to storms. Going back further, the Denver Broncos’ 2013 opener against the Baltimore Ravens also had to be pushed back roughly 34 minutes because of lightning in the area.
When did the Eagles vs. Cowboys game restart?
According to NBC’s Mike Tirico, the NFL planned to restart the game at 11:30 p.m. ET. Players eventually began warming up again around 11:15, and play officially resumed after a 64-minute delay, one of the long mid-game stoppages in recent league history.
However, when the action picked back up, the shootout everyone had been watching in the first half fizzled out. Philadelphia’s defense tightened up, while a couple of costly CeeDee Lamb drops late in the fourth quarter kept Dallas from mounting a comeback. The Eagles held on for a 24-20 win.
The storm delay wasn’t the only wild moment of the night. Eagles defensive lineman Jalen Carter was ejected early after spitting toward Prescott in retaliation for an earlier incident. Playing shorthanded, Philadelphia still managed to outlast its NFC East rivals and start the season with a statement victory.
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What is the NFL’s lightning policy?
The NFL does not have a specific lightning delay policy written into its official rulebook, but it follows established weather safety protocols. In the event of lightning near a stadium, referees and league officials have the authority to suspend play immediately.
According to broader guidelines followed across American football, including those from the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) and Sports Medicine Advisory Committee (SMAC), play must be stopped whenever lightning is seen or thunder is heard. A minimum 30-minute delay follows, and the clock resets with each subsequent strike detected within 10 miles of the venue. Players, staff, and fans are directed to safe indoor areas until conditions clear.
That’s exactly what happened Thursday night. With storms rolling through Philadelphia, both teams waited out the weather before resuming play once conditions improved. In total, the delay lasted just over an hour, and the game wrapped up after midnight on the East Coast.
Thursday’s opener wasn’t the first NFL matchup to face weather disruption, and it likely won’t be the last. But it certainly made for a memorable and slightly chaotic start to the 2025/26 season.
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FAQs about the Eagles vs. Cowboys Lightning Delay
1. Who won the Eagles vs. Cowboys season opener?
The Philadelphia Eagles held on for a 24-20 victory over the Dallas Cowboys, with Jalen Hurts rushing for two touchdowns and Saquon Barkley adding another.
2. When did the game restart after the lightning delay?
The game resumed at 11:30 p.m. ET after a 64-minute delay. Players returned to the field around 11:15 p.m. for warm-ups before play officially picked back up.
3. How long did the lightning delay last?
The delay lasted just over an hour, making it one of the longest mid-game stoppages in recent NFL season openers.
4. What was the score before and after the delay?
Before the delay, the Eagles led 24-20 late in the third quarter. After play resumed, neither team found much rhythm, and Philadelphia held on to that same four-point lead to close out the game.
5. Has lightning ever delayed an NFL season opener before?
Yes. In 2018, the Eagles’ opener against the Atlanta Falcons was delayed about 45 minutes due to storms. Back in 2013, the Denver Broncos’ opener against the Baltimore Ravens was also pushed back roughly 34 minutes for lightning.
