Jalen Hurts, Eagles Denied NFL History by Unfortunate Setback
The NFL season began with a divisional clash between the defending champion Philadelphia Eagles and the Dallas Cowboys at Lincoln Financial Field on Thursday, Sept. 4.
Philadelphia won 24–20 in a game that featured seven consecutive scoring drives to open the first half, an efficient performance from Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts and a pre-snap ejection of Philly's All-Pro defensive tackle Jalen Carter.
The matchup also featured a ratings surge that was on pace to set a new benchmark for NFL Kickoff broadcasts, until a 65-minute weather delay disrupted momentum and ultimately denied NBC Sports a place in ratings history.
The Eagles led 24-20 with 4:44 remaining in the third when the game was halted due to severe thunderstorms in the area.
With 4:44 left in the third quarter, lightning in the area triggered a mandatory suspension of play. Both teams retreated to their locker rooms, with the delay lasting 65 minutes and players returning to the field at 11:15 p.m. ET and play resuming at 11:30 p.m.
Safe to say the lengthy delay disrupted the rhythm of both offenses. After combining for 41 points in the first half, the teams managed just three points in the second half (a 58-yard field goal by Jake Elliott) and zero points scored post-delay.
The final eight drives of the game included five punts and a red-zone fumble by Dallas running back Miles Sanders.
According to NBC Sports, the Eagles-Cowboys broadcast averaged 31.9 million viewers across NBC, Peacock and digital platforms before the weather delay. The audience peaked at 34.3 million viewers during the second quarter, marking the highest peak viewership ever for an NFL Kickoff Game.
The game was well on pace to surpass the previous record of 29.2 million viewers set by the 2024 Baltimore Ravens-Kansas City Chiefs opener. However, the delay caused a sharp drop in viewership.
When play resumed, the audience fell to 20.2 million viewers, and the final average settled at 28.3 million, still the second-highest Kickoff Game viewership in league history.
The broadcast also marked the second-most simulstreamed NBC NFL game ever, with a digital Average Minute Audience of 4.9 million viewers across Peacock, NBC Sports Digital and NFL platforms.
49ers Lose Key Weapon: George Kittle Out for Several Weeks Following Injury
The San Francisco 49ers’ offense continues to be damaged by injuries to start 2025. Star tight end George Kittle, who was having a great first half, went down with a hamstring injury.
Before that point, he had tallied 25 yards on four receptions and seemed to be a comfortable safety valve for QB Brock Purdy.
Kittle was unable to return for the remainder of the action and will reportedly miss additional weeks.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan told reporters in San Francisco that Kittle is expected to “be out a few weeks.”
It was a big-time catch. Earlier in that drive he had his first NFL catch and it was followed the next play by his second. I want to say it was three plays later by the game winner. So, I think Brock just ended up getting confidence in him very quickly as the drive went.”
When asked if the 31-year-old may be placed on Injured Reserve, Shanahan said, “When they tell me a few weeks, it’s always a possibility.”
“In order to do that, it’s got to be a four-week injury,” he continued. “So, I don’t think we’ve decided on that yet.”
Undrafted in 2022, Jake Tonges stepped up for Kittle in Seattle, securing the first catch of his career.
And his first touchdown reception ended up being the game-winner, a promising start for the young player.
It was a big-time catch,” Shanahan said of Tonges on Monday. “Earlier in that drive he had his first NFL catch and it was followed the next play by his second.
“I want to say it was three plays later by the game winner,” he continued. “So, I think Brock just ended up getting confidence in him very quickly as the drive went on.”
Tonges will have more opportunity in Kittle’s absence, while the wide receiver room adds a familiar face in Kendrick Bourne, who reportedly agreed to a one-year deal with San Francisco.
The San Francisco 49ers are adding another target for Brock Purdy, bringing back a familiar face.
Wide receiver Kendrick Bourne is reportedly re-signing with San Francisco on a one-year deal worth up to $5 million, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Dealing with a depleted WR room headed into Sunday’s season debut in Seattle, head coach Kyle Shanahan was utilizing tight end George Kittle in the pass game.
