The Philadelphia Eagles have participated in three Super Bowls over the past eight seasons. The Dallas Cowboys have not advanced to the National Football League’s last leg for the Vince Lombardi Trophy in 30 years.
In 2004, the NFL initiated a tradition where the defending Super Bowl Champions host the season opener on Thursday night. The Eagles, who downed the New England Patriots in Roman Numeral LII and the Kansas City Chiefs last season, tonight host the season opener for the second time.
The Dallas Cowboys are playing in their third Thursday night opener?
What? How?
The opponent of the Super Bowl team opening defense of their title is selected based on two criteria. First, they need to be scheduled for a game against the defending champ and second, the NFL is in search of an intriguing matchup to spike television ratings. Without winning a Super Bowl, the Eagles have not been chosen to enhance an opening matchup. The Cowboys have three times.
America’s Team provided the competition for the New York Giants to open the 2012 season, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2022 and the Eagles tonight.