Cowboys vs. Eagles NFL Season Opener Suspended for Lightning in 3rd Quarter

Thursday night's 2025 NFL season opener between the Dallas Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles was suspended in the third quarter due to lightning in Philadelphia.

The Eagles had just recovered a fumble to regain possession and were leading by 24-20 when play at Lincoln Financial Field was suspended with 4:44 left in the quarter.

Play resumed around 11:30 p.m. ET after a delay of just over an hour.

This marks the second consecutive year in which the NFL's season opener has been impacted by lightning. A 20-minute storm delay pushed back kickoff for the Kansas City Chiefs and Baltimore Ravens last September at Arrowhead Stadium.

Fans were urged to leave open seating areas and shelter under concourses, according to messages broadcast at Lincoln Financial. Both teams meanwhile left the field.

CBS News Philadelphia's Tammie Souza and Kate Bilo reported earlier Thursday that "isolated damaging wind gusts, brief heavy downpours and frequent lightning" could impact the area during the game.

The lightning delay wasn't the only unexpected aspect of the 2025 season opener.

With just six seconds off the clock in the first quarter, Eagles defensive star Jalen Carter was ejected when he appeared to spit on Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott during an injury delay after the opening kickoff.

The Cowboys went on to score on the opening drive, but the Eagles had gained a one-point advantage by the halftime break.

Eagles kicker Jake Elliott put home a 58-yard field goal on the first drive of the third quarter. The Philadelphia defense then ended the Cowboys' first possession of the half with a fumble that was recovered by Eagles cornerback Quinyon Mitchell.

The Eagles offense will regain the ball on the Philadelphia 10-yard line when play resumes.