The Philadelphia Eagles began their Super Bowl title defence with a 24-20 victory over the Dallas Cowboys in the NFL season opener on Thursday night, but the game was overshadowed by an unsavoury incident involving defensive tackle Jalen Carter.
Carter was ejected just six seconds into the contest after spitting on Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott. The altercation occurred as the teams lined up following the kick-off, with Carter approaching Prescott and exchanging words before spitting on his chest. Prescott appeared shocked as the phlegm landed on him, and Carter was immediately sent off, shaking his head and smiling as he left the field to boos from Eagles fans.
“It was a mistake that happened on my side. It won’t happen again,” Carter said after the game. “I feel bad for just my teammates and fans out there.” Replays later showed Prescott had spat in Carter's direction before the incident, but Prescott denied any intent. “I wouldn’t spit on somebody,” he said. “He just spit on me in that moment. It was more of a surprise than anything.”
The ejection had an immediate impact, as the Cowboys drove down the field and scored on their first possession to take a 7-0 lead. The Eagles, however, rallied behind quarterback Jalen Hurts, who accounted for 214 total yards, and running back Saquon Barkley, who rushed for 60 yards and a touchdown. A 58-yard field goal from Jake Elliott put the Eagles ahead 24-20 midway through the third quarter, and a lightning delay of 65 minutes seemed to disrupt both offences, with no further scoring.
The Cowboys had a chance to reclaim the lead late in the fourth quarter, but CeeDee Lamb dropped passes on second and fourth downs, allowing the Eagles to secure the win. Despite the victory, Eagles coach Nick Sirianni will be concerned about his team's discipline, as they committed nine penalties for 110 yards.
