The smell of charcoal is in the September air. You’ve got the grill fired up for the first big game. But a lot is different this year. The defending champs are home, yet the mood isn't about celebrating last season.
It's about the giant target now plastered on their backs. Everyone is gunning for the king. And the first challenger is the one they hate most. Former Eagle Chris Long knows this feeling all too well. On September 3rd, he issued a stark warning to the team on SportsRadio 94 WIP.
He pointed to a chilling historical fact for defending champions. Long stated, “Since 2000, I think about half the teams that won a Super Bowl even win their division the next year. So it’s not a guarantee that you even win your division.” His advice?
It's to forget the mountain top. The focus must be microscopic. “So you should start small as a team like that,” Long said. “Start 1-0. Start 2-0. Take it one week at a time and think about the goals that you think about every year, because the year before you weren't thinking about defending a title. You were just trying to win every game, win your division.” And this isn’t just coach speak.
Long lived it on the 2018 Eagles team that started a dismal 4-6. He believes this squad is far more talented. However, he cautioned that last year’s success means nothing now. “Nothing that team did last year makes a you-know-what on the field. It doesn't matter,” Long told Devan Kaney. The mental game is everything.
The Cowboys, despite trading Micah Parsons, are a dangerous first test. Long noted, “The Cowboys, they're coming off of trading their best player. A tumultuous offseason, which is kind of the norm there.” However, the Eagles' new-look defense faces immediate pressure.
Long is especially keen to watch rookie linebacker Jihaad Campbell. “I mean, that dude's a stud. I'm watching him, and I want to see him play. I want to see him play regular season football. It's a lot different,” he said. Preseason hype means nothing. The entire defensive regime is new. Long believes it might take time to gel, but the offense must “stabilize the situation early in the season.”
A Blueprint for the Cowboys Game
The Cowboys' offense, led by a healthy Dak Prescott, is a major concern. Prescott owns a 9-4 record against Philadelphia. His favorite target, CeeDee Lamb, will test the secondary. This is a fantastic early test for nickel corner Cooper DeJean. The Eagles' success depends on a four-man pass rush creating pressure.
Fortunately, the Eagles' offense holds a massive advantage. Dallas had one of the league's worst run defenses in 2024. They allowed 137 rushing yards per game. Meanwhile, the Eagles boast the best offensive line in football and Saquon Barkley. Establishing the run is Philadelphia’s blueprint. It sets up everything for Jalen Hurts and the play-action game.
WR A.J. Brown dismissed any concern about limited preseason reps. And his teammate, DeVonta Smith, viewed the situation as a positive. Smith said, "It was good for the young guys to get out there and get those reps." Now, Long’s advice is the roadmap.
Read more: Eagles' A. J. Brown rejects notion of 'concern' ahead of Cowboys game
Ignore the banner. Ignore the hype. The only thing that matters is the Cowboys. The Eagles must treat this like a one-game season. A win builds immense confidence. A loss invites early doubt. The grind of a long NFL season is a marathon. But you have to win the first mile to have a shot at the last. It starts with one simple goal. Just find a way to be 1-0.