Weather delay has massive effect on Cowboys vs. Eagles ratings, still posts 2nd best kickoff number ever

Thursday’s 2025 NFL season opener between the reigning Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys drew in 28.3 million viewers on average, per release. However, this could have been higher had it not been for the extended weather delay in the second half.

Near the end of the second quarter, the broadcast averaged 34.3 million viewers between NBC and Peacock from 9:30-9:45 p.m. ET. This is the largest peak audience ever for an NFL kickoff game.

According to NBC, the game was on track to finishing with an average of 31.6 million viewers before the delay, which occurred during the third quarter, which would have ranked as the most-watched NFL kickoff game ever.

Instead, weather in and around Philadelphia forced the game into a delay for a little over an hour. Millions of viewers clicked off the game by the time it resumed after 11 p.m. ET. From 11:24 p.m. until the game ended at 12:18 a.m. ET, NBC and Peacock averaged 20.2 million viewers.

This brought the official average down to 28.3 million average viewers. These ratings were provided to the NFL by official Nielsen Big Data + Panel and digital data from Adobe Analytics. It falls to the second-most watched NFL kickoff game ever, behind last year’s opener between the Baltimore Ravens and Kansas City Chiefs, which averaged 29.2 million viewers.

During the 34.3 million peak, fans were treated to highlights such as Saquon Barkley‘s first touchdown of the season. This stretch also included Brandon Aubrey‘s 53-yard field goal as time expired on the first half.

Additional viewership options such as NBC Sports digital platforms and NFL digital platforms, averaged 4.9 million viewers per AMA (average minute audience). The game’s audience on those platforms were higher than the three most recent Super Bowls and is the second-most simulstreamed NBC-NFL game ever.

The fans who tuned into the matchup were not disappointed, as the game started with an ejection as Eagles DT Jalen Carter spit on Cowboys QB Dak Prescott before the opening snap. A back-and-forth first half would ensue.

Barkley’s 10-yard touchdown in the final minute of the second quarter put the Eagles in front and kept them there. After a field goal midway through the third quarter, that’s all the opening game of the NFL season provided in terms of scoring.

In the end, the Super Bowl champions emerged victorious and sent the loyal fans who stayed after the delay home happy. Philadelphia won’t have much time to celebrate, as they’re set to face the Chiefs at home in a Super Bowl rematch during Week 2. The Cowboys will move on to play the Giants on Sunday.