The lights of Lincoln Financial Field shone down on a new banner. The 2025 campaign began with a ceremony for the Eagles. And then, almost instantly, a gut punch.
Eagles' dominant DT Jalen Carter was ejected before even playing a snap. It was a night that required weathering a storm in more ways than one... a true test of championship mettle from the very first snap.
You need your stars to be bell-cows in games like this, against a longtime rival. Saquon Barkley took that role literally on Thursday night. He was the engine early.