We are back! Week 1 is in the books, and it’s always a tricky one to analyse. Nobody should overreact too much, but we can still break down the film and talk about what actually happened. There were things I didn’t like in this game, but that doesn’t mean it will stay that way all season. There’s plenty of time to adjust. Let’s go!
Offense
The opening few plays actually had me optimistic. On the very first snap, the Eagles lined up in pistol and threw the ball (the only time they’d do it all game – we will get into that later). The design was fantastic: they pulled the guard, faked the toss right, and threw it back left. This is a perfect blend of simplicity and misdirection. The execution was sharp and it felt like the team had settled into a good rhythm. Watching those first 10–15 scripted plays, I thought the plan looked promising and I was excited for what might come next. Everything looked clean.
Eagles Offense All22 Thread Week 1 vs. Cowboys. 1) It all started so well! The Eagles threw the ball once (!) all game from pistol, and it was the first play of the game. I thought the design early on was really encouraging and this was a great call. The pulling guard combined…
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— Jonny Page (@JonnyPage9)
September 7, 2025
The Cowboys barely played man coverage all night, sitting back in soft zone for the majority of the game. The Eagles were much better against man coverage last year, so expect to see a lot of teams playing zone coverage against them this year. Early on the Eagles took what was there, hitting short passes and blocking well on the perimeter. Jahan Dotson had a particularly good rep here, and the receivers blocked well on the perimeter in this game in general. The drive sequencing looked fine, the ball was moving, and I wasn’t concerned at all with the game plan in those opening series. It was sensible football against a defense committed to taking away deep shots. The issue came later, when Dallas adjusted, but the Eagles didn’t. It was all smooth early on and the Eagles looked in control.
2) The Cowboys played soft zone all game and the Eagles did a good job converting short throws and taking what the defense gave them. The Eagles block this exceptionally well on the perimeter (check out Dotson's block!) and I had absolutely no concerns at all with the game plan…
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— Jonny Page (@JonnyPage9)
September 7, 2025
It’s time for my first angry rant of the year. Apologies. Here’s where the problems really started. I hate singling players out, but Grant Calcaterra was almost unplayable as a run blocker. Over and over, he was asked to take defensive ends and tackles in heavy personnel looks, and he just couldn’t hold up. That wasn’t on him. It was on the design. The Eagles leaned into 12 and 13 personnel, and it killed the run game. Calcaterra has never been a great run blocker and it was a bizarre way to use him.
The numbers from this game are sort of bizarre. It wasn’t just the use of heavy personnel that annoyed me. From under center they ran 12 times and passed only twice; from pistol they ran 11 times and passed once (the very 1st play of the game!) and from shotgun they ran six times and passed 30 times. That is absurd. Apart from the opening play, every pistol look was a run. That’s as predictable as it gets. Dallas stacked the box accordingly, and the Eagles never punished them with play-action. The whole point of heavy personnel with a pistol and under center runs is that you force the defense to stack the box and then hit them with a downfield shot. What’s the point of doing it if you don’t throw it down the field? Because the run game simply was not working. The stats tell a pretty clear story.
Last night, Saquon Barkley had 12 carries for 33 yards and -0.27 EPA/attempt against stacked boxes and 6 carries for 27 yards with 0.183 EPA/att against neutral or light boxes.
Even with all those stacked boxes (which almost always means 1 on 1 coverage outside), the Eagles…
— Shane Haff (@ShaneHaffNFL)
September 5, 2025
The result of heavy personnel was a run game that looked disastrous in the second half. Even though Saquon Barkley ran hard and broke tackles, he averaged just 3.3 yards per carry. That tells you how bad the design was. With better sequencing, Barkley could’ve had a huge day, but instead, the Cowboys knew exactly what was coming.
3) I really hate picking on individuals because, after a while, it isn't their fault. It's on the coaches. But Grant Calcaterra had a pretty abysmal performance. I counted at least 5 times the guy he was blocking ended up making the tackle. By playing so much 12/13 personnel,…
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— Jonny Page (@JonnyPage9)
September 7, 2025
Rant over! Let’s get back to the positives. Jalen Hurts was a huge positive in this game. This was one of the best games I’ve seen Jalen Hurts play, even though the box score looks average. He bailed out the offense multiple times when the structure collapsed. Importantly, this wasn’t a “one-read-and-run” game. He consistently worked through his reads, but with nothing opening up, he had to escape. Luckily for the Eagles, the Cowboys had no rush lane integrity and Hurts punished them. He scrambled for crucial first downs and touchdowns and did it all without taking big hits. His ability to extend plays with his legs was outstanding, and it kept the offense alive.
4) Jalen Hurts ability to extend plays and rush in this one was outstanding. This wasn't a 'one-read and run' performance. He was getting through his reads well. He wanted to throw first, but had no choice but to escape when nothing was open. He moved as well as I've seen in a…
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— Jonny Page (@JonnyPage9)
September 7, 2025
I don’t know what more to say about A.J. Brown other than he clearly didn’t look right. On this rep, it was single-high coverage with a one-on-one matchup, but Brown ran the route like he never expected the ball. That’s not normal for him. He looked disinterested on several routes, and I can only assume he wasn’t healthy. The Eagles still played him heavily, maybe as a decoy, but if Brown isn’t himself, this passing game is going to look stale quickly. They need a healthy A.J. Brown or some more creativity.
5) Had a lot of Q's about AJ Brown, of course, and I don't know what to say. He just did not look right. I have no intel obviously, so I assume he wasn't healthy. I don't know why he played so many snaps but I guess the Eagles wanted him as a decoy. He's one-on-one with obvious…
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— Jonny Page (@JonnyPage9)
September 7, 2025
As I stated earlier, Hurts’ scrambling saved the offense. On this 3rd-and-5, the route spacing wasn’t great (which was a theme all of the second half), so the Cowboys sat in tight zone coverage, and nothing opened up. This happened far too often for my liking. However, Hurts moved decisively and picked it up with his legs. He moved so well in this one. It made me wonder if he was injured last year more than we realised, because I don’t recall him running past defenders so easily. He carried the ball 14 times on the night, but very few were designed runs and most were necessary escapes. He put the offense on his back, and this was one of several moments where his movement and poise turned a broken play into a successful one.
6) I thought Hurts bailed out a few questionable offensive play calls. This is a huge run on 3rd and 5. I didn't like the spacing on a number of calls and the Cowboys zone coverage was pretty tight all game. Hurts moved so well in this game.
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— Jonny Page (@JonnyPage9)
September 7, 2025
Here’s another Hurts scramble! On this red zone snap, Barkley’s option route didn’t threaten much, leaving Hurts stuck again. Once more, he took off, this time for a touchdown. Dallas’ rush discipline was so poor that Hurts consistently found escape lanes. It worked here, but relying on his legs like this isn’t sustainable. Against better-coached fronts, those opportunities won’t be there as frequently. The passing design will need to be better.
7) Once again, another huge run. Nothing's open and Hurts scrambles for the TD. I'm not sure if this is supposed to be an option route for Barkley, but if so, it isn't a great route.
As good as Hurts was with his legs, I just don't see it as sustainable. It's quite incredible…
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— Jonny Page (@JonnyPage9)
September 7, 2025
Oh, baby. My word. What a ridiculous throw. Against quarters coverage, the Eagles finally dialed up a better concept, double-post-cross, and Hurts hit it perfectly. Dotson won with leverage and Hurts anticipated the break and delivered a perfect deep ball. If you paused it at the release, you’d never think the throw was on, but it landed perfectly in stride. You couldn’t hand it off better, honestly. It was a reminder of what this offense can be if the downfield shots are built in more consistently. Hurts throws a beautiful deep ball and we must see more of this. What a ridiculous throw. I could watch that one all day!
8) My goodness, this is an absolute DIME! The Eagles dial up a much better concept against quarters (double post cross). Dotson takes advantage of outside leverage and Hurts puts it on the money. You couldn't hand it to him any better. I'm shocked these down-the-field shots…
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— Jonny Page (@JonnyPage9)
September 7, 2025
Let’s get into the less fancy stuff, but stuff that impressed me equally as much as that previous throw. Hurts’ processing was exceptional on the day. This is an area that Hurts has struggled with throughout his career. He often takes time to eliminate what isn’t there and can get stuck on this 1st read. But he was a lot better this week than I’ve ever seen him. On this play, he read through his full-field progression, eliminated what wasn’t there, and got to his checkdown. It looks like a routine swing pass, but it highlighted how far Hurts has come in terms of poise and eliminating what is not there. Last season he didn’t always get to that backside option quickly. Across the game, he repeatedly worked past the first and second read and kept the offense on schedule. That’s a really promising development.
9) I think this was one of the best games from a processing point of view I've ever seen from Hurts. He was getting through reads quickly and eliminating what wasn't there. The Eagles ran this concept a few times and the swing route was always on the backside but Hurts never got…
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— Jonny Page (@JonnyPage9)
September 7, 2025
Shock: one of Barkley’s best runs came when the Eagles spread out and went shotgun out of 11 personnel. The offensive line dominated up front with two double teams, DeVonta Smith and A.J. Brown blocked downfield, and Barkley finished violently for a touchdown. He ran extremely hard all night, and his lack of efficiency was on the coaches, not him. The design out of heavy personnel looks gave him no chance; but when the formation suited him, he looked excellent. He is going to have a big year when the running game gets going, which I am sure it will, despite my complaints!
10) I don't think it's a coincidence that one of Barkley's best runs came from 11 personnel, shotgun, after spreading out the defense. The offensive line does a fantastic job at the LOS with 2 double teams. Barkley runs really hard, and Smith and AJ Brown do enough at the 2nd…
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— Jonny Page (@JonnyPage9)
September 7, 2025
Apart from that opening snap, the Eagles never threw from pistol. This exact play happened multiple times. They lined up in Pistol 12 times and had 11 straight runs after the first pass, and became entirely predictable. Dallas was all over it, stacking the box, and Barkley ran into traffic over and over again. It was really poor. Calcaterra’s weakness as an in-line blocker made it worse. If you want to run heavy personnel, you have to pair it with play-action and take some shots down the field. Even if they don’t work, they keep the defense honest. This stat below just proves it. Stacking the box is more about personnel than about who you are facing.
Saquon Barkley faced a stacked box (8+ defenders in the box) on 66.7% of attempts in the Week 1 opener, per Next Gen Stats.
This was more than three times the rate that Barkley faced a stacked box last season (20.6%), and the highest rate Barkley has faced in a game since…
— Jeff McLane (@Jeff_McLane)
September 5, 2025
The Eagles didn’t, and the Cowboys simply teed off.
11) Except for the throw on the 1st play of the game, the Eagles didn't throw out of pistol. They used pistol 12 times and ran it 11 straight times after that 1st throw. It was just way too predictable. The Cowboys were all over every run and Barkley had no chance. I don't…
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— Jonny Page (@JonnyPage9)
September 7, 2025
The Cowboys also found joy with corner blitzes in the second half. Once they realised the Eagles weren’t adjusting, they went after Hurts repeatedly and the Eagles’ offense had some troubles picking up the blitzes. Without being in the room it’s hard to know where the breakdowns were, but Barkley looked lost at times in protection. He’s an outstanding runner, but in obvious passing situations, his pass protection wasn’t clean. On several plays the spacing also compounded the problem as Hurts had nowhere obvious to go with the ball when pressure came off the edge. I expect the Chiefs to do this a lot next week so the Eagles better have a clear plan.
12) The Eagles' offense had an issue with cornerback blitzes in the 2nd half and they never fixed it. Without being in the room, I don't want to blame an individual, but Barkley did look a little lost multiple times in pass protection. Maybe Hurts is supposed to dump it off here…
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— Jonny Page (@JonnyPage9)
September 7, 2025
I love this play. I know it doesn’t look like much, but I love it! This was my favourite Hurts play of the night. He started by wanting Brown on the slant, then worked back to curls in the middle, then all the way across to the crosser. He read the flat corner, saw him sink to take the crossing route, and instantly hit Barkley in the flat. It went down as a quick gain, but it was his 5th read and shows processing, calmness in the pocket, and perfect mechanics. These are the snaps that show Hurts’ growth as a quarterback. This is awesome to see.
13) Look at Hurts processing full field from the pocket! He wants to hit AJ Brown, but he isn't open. He gets back to Goedert but I think he feels he is a beat too late to throw it. He turns his gaze all the way over to the other side, reads the flat CB who is keeping an eye on…
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— Jonny Page (@JonnyPage9)
September 7, 2025
Here’s another rep that shows off the calmness in the pocket. The Eagles ran four verts against Tampa-2, which should have allowed Hurts to take a hole shot on the outside, between the corners and safeties. But Brown was slow off the line (as he was all night), Smith got pressed out of the play, and the receivers didn’t win. Hurts stayed patient, avoided forcing it, and checked down to Barkley. I would love to see some motion here so Smith can avoid press coverage, rather than just having him charge into the cornerback. It’s an example of the design being a little flat.
14) This is also really encouraging from Hurts. The Eagles run 4-verts against Tampa-2, which should give Hurts a hole shot on the outside, but AJ Brown is too slow, and DeVonta Smith gets pressed off the field. I'd love to use motion to give DeVonta a head of steam. Hurts stays…
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— Jonny Page (@JonnyPage9)
September 7, 2025
And finally, the scramble that sealed the game. Once again, the spacing wasn’t good as Goedert, Dotson, and Brown were bunched too tightly, but Hurts made it work. He read the field, immediately recognized that nothing was there, and he escaped for the first down that ended the game. Hurts carried the offense on his back in this one and I thought he played really well.
15) Let's end with the vital scramble that ends the game. Once again, I really do not like the spacing. You can draw a small circle around Goedert, Dotson and AJ Brown. If Goedert breaks to the right and pushes the LB towards the sideline with him then Dotson would be open on the…
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— Jonny Page (@JonnyPage9)
September 7, 2025
Overall, there were a lot of problems with predictable personnel usage, poor run game design, and shaky pass protection adjustments in the second half against the blitz. Despite all of that, I thought Hurts had a top game and the offense did have moments where it looked really good. When things went wrong, though, Hurts bailed the offense out on a day when little else worked.
It’s just Week 1. The Eagles won despite missing players from the first snap, and A.J. Brown clearly wasn’t himself. But in the future, they need a more expansive pass game, a smarter run game without so much heavy personnel, and a better plan for cornerback blitzes. If Hurts keeps playing like this, though, the floor is still very high. The ceiling is still incredibly high with this much talent.
Thank you for reading! I’d love to hear your thoughts, so feel free to comment below and ask any questions. If you enjoyed this piece, you can find more of my work and podcast here.
