Kickoff chaos? NFL’s rule change could flip Eagles–Cowboys opener

When the Philadelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys meet Thursday night to kick off the 2025 NFL season, it won’t just be about the rivalry, the banner ceremony, or Dak Prescott vs Jalen Hurts. Football itself is about to look different.

NFL’s new kickoff rule set to shake up Eagles–Cowboys opener

For the first time, fans will see the NFL’s brand-new kickoff rules in action. And if preseason trends hold true, nearly every kickoff could turn into a live, high-stakes play.

Under the new rules, a touchback now places the ball at the 35-yard line - five yards further upfield than before. That makes booming it through the end zone a losing strategy. Instead, kickers are expected to target the 3- to 5-yard line, forcing returners to bring the ball out.

Because of these changes, league estimates suggest as many as 80% of kickoffs will now be returned. After years of dwindling returns and automatic touchbacks, the NFL wants the play back as a thrilling, game-changing moment.

And the Eagles and Cowboys have the talent to take advantage. KaVontae Turpin, Dallas’ electrifying returner, already has a Pro Bowl nod on his résumé thanks to his speed and vision. On the other sideline, Darius Cooper, a rookie with big-play ability, has been talked up as a possible spark plug on returns for Philadelphia. Now that field position has the potential to swing momentum, these names might suddenly carry more weight than even some of the teams’ starters.

Coverage units will also be tested under brighter lights. Philadelphia’s Jake Elliott is one of the league’s most accurate kickers, but he’ll be judged just as much on placement as on leg strength. Dallas’ Brandon Aubrey, who converted 36 of 38 field goals last season, now faces the added pressure of nailing those “coffin corner” kickoffs.

That means special teams will matter more than ever, and the Eagles and Cowboys will be the first to test it in primetime. Can Philly’s coverage unit contain Turpin’s explosiveness? Will Cooper make a name for himself in his first NFL regular-season game?

One thing is certain: Thursday night isn’t just the start of a season. It’s the beginning of the NFL’s “new kickoff era.” And fans watching in Philadelphia, Dallas, and beyond may witness the first wild highlight that proves this rule change is here to stay.

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