Things came to an abrupt halt during the NFL season opener between the Dallas Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles. Play was halted as lighting was detected in the area of Lincoln Financial Field.
The Cowboys announced that the game will resume play at 11:30 p.m. ET. NBC initially relayed that the NFL estimated that the Cowboys and Eagles players were expected to return to the field around 11:15 p.m. E.T. with an additional 12 minutes for warmups.
Here’s what you need to know about the weather delay during the Cowboys-Eagles game.
The NFL Previously Estimated That the Cowboys vs. Eagles Will Resume Play at 11:15 P.M. ET
The NFL’s initial estimated timeline was also dependent on the inclement weather in Philadelphia cooperating during the break. Both teams needed time to warmup in to recover from the nearly one-hour break during the third quarter.
Please be aware there is no re-entry upon leaving the stadium.
The NFL is estimating that lightning around the Philadelphia area might be clear by about 11:15PM EST, with an additional 12 minutes of warm-up time, per @miketirico of the @SNFonNBC broadcast,” Clutch Points detailed in a September 4, 2025, message on X.
“We could be looking at an hour delay for Eagles-Cowboys for the final 19 minutes and 44 seconds of gametime.”
Cowboys vs. Eagles: All the Talk Is About Jalen Carter Spitting on Dak Prescott
Weather aside, the discussion after the Cowboys-Eagles game is going to continue to center around Jalen Carter. After the opening kickoff, Carter was ejected for appearing to spit on Prescott.
The Cowboys offense had yet to take a snap prior to Carter’s ejection for the surprising incident. Carter is facing obvious backlash from Cowboys and Eagles fans alike for spitting on another player.
“WTH did I just see? Jalen Carter — the Best Players on the @Eagles defense — just got thrown out the game before a freakin snap for SPITTING,” ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith noted on X. “SPITTING on @dak. To hell with just an ejection. Suspend that man. How in the HELL could you do something like that? Inexcusable! Stupid!”
Cowboys Players Spent the Weather Delay Eating Snacks
NBC’s Melissa Starks reported that Cowboys cornerback Trevon Diggs went to one of the field-level suites in search of food. A cart of cold cuts and Uncrustables eventually ended up in the Cowboys locker room for Diggs and the other players.
If the Cowboys end up victorious, the team may need to make the food combo a tradition. It will be worth watching to see how the extended layoff impacts the Eagles and Cowboys on the field.
Ahead of the NFC East showdown, Eagles star Lane Johnson spoke with Heavy Sports about the longstanding rivalry with the Cowboys.
“It’s just one of the best rivalries in sports,” Johnson explained to Heavy Sports. “Two totally different cultures.
“But yeah, the thing they do share is that they’re both extremely passionate. I think that’s why you see the rivalry that you do is that you have so many people that care. Yeah man, as you play and the years add up, it becomes just another game.”
NFL Makes Announcement on Weather Delay During Cowboys-Eagles Game