The Dallas Cowboys head to Philadelphia to open the season against the division rival Eagles on Thursday night football. Coming off an abysmal 7-10 season where little to nothing went right for the ‘Boys, it’s a new team and a new era under new head coach Brian Schottenheimer. A healthy Dak Prescott under center is expected to be the catalyst of a renewed offense, albeit an offense that barely addressed the anemic rushing attack from a season ago.

The Cowboys are ready to move on from 2024 … and apparently so are the World Champion Eagles.

Philadelphia coach Nick Sirianni is the son of a coach and a lifer in the industry. He prides himself on knowing every detail about every game he’s involved with. So that’s why it came as a surprise to most when he said he didn’t know the Eagles would be raising their Super Bowl banner on Thursday night, and even a bigger surprise when he said this year’s team would not be a part of the ceremony.

“I didn’t know it was banner night. We won’t be out for that,” Sirianni said.

Huh? That seems like a bunch of horse hockey. Of course, he knew it was banner night. But his point is taken. It’s a new season and there’s no point in dwelling on the past.

“We’re focused on our process and how we get better every single day. If your process is right, then it gives you the best chance to win,” Sirianni said earlier in the summer. “It doesn’t necessarily mean you’re going to win, but it gives you the best chance to win. Our goal is just to focus and to focus on where we are at this particular moment, to put the work in, to overcome the adversity and the rest will take care of itself.”

The problem arises when the players who were part of that team want to participate in the ceremony, for maybe the only time in their careers. What about them? Seems very short-sighted by Sirianni. But, he’s the coach. It could be his only time, too. At least Cowboys fans hope so.

It’s also the first game after Dallas traded star pass rusher Micah Parsons to the Green Bay Packers. In addition to a pair of first-round picks, the Cowboys also received three-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Kenny Clark. All eyes will be on him and Dallas’ attempt to slow down last year’s only 2,000-yard rusher, Saquon Barkley.

The Eagles and Cowboys will kick off Thursday Night Football on NBC at 7:20 p.m., and for those who want to, you can no doubt watch that ceremony  … unless you play for the Eagles.