The NFL Season is finally here! The Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles host division rivals, the Dallas Cowboys, to kickoff the 2025 season. The Eagles are predicted to run roughshod over the Cowboys as 7.5 point favorites after they traded away their best defensive player, Micah Parson, just before the season started.
Below we will take a look at the best DFS plays for the opening slate.
Highest upside and floor plays
These are guys that are priced high because they are so consistently great at putting up fantasy points. Unfortunately, we can only roster a few of them, as they are too expensive.
Jalen Hurts, QB, Eagles (FLEX $12,200, CPT $18,300)
Hurts is usually the highest floor play in any game he plays due to the “tush push.” He rushed for 14 touchdowns last season and only had four games where he didn’t score with his legs. The Cowboys are one of the worst rushing defenses in the league and Hurts rushed for two touchdowns in their only meeting last year.
The Eagles might be able to win this game without doing much through the air, but Hurts will still get his in the first half, while the Cowboys offense has enough juice to keep them within striking distance.
Saquon Barkley, RB, Eagles (FLEX $14,400, CPT $21,600)
Barkley should have his way with the Dallas defensive line, especially running behind the leagues best offensive line. The only worry is if the Eagles rest him late in a blowout. But, if there’s a blowout, he’s likely put up a huge stat-line already. There is some worry about the wear and tear on his body, but Week 1 he should be as rested as he’ll be all season.
Barkley’s price to roster on FanDuel is quite high, so I could see leaning Hurts here between the two, as he does have the ability to steal Barkley’s touchdowns. But, it also may be tough to fit him in, which could lower his roster ship numbers slightly.
Dak Prescott, QB, Cowboys (FLEX $10,800, CPT $16,200)
Prescott is going to need to throw the ball a ton in this game, and with CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens to target, he should have success, even if it isn’t efficient. His price is fifth on the slate, while his upside remains above that placement. We can’t expect rushing touchdowns from Prescott at this point in his career, but the lack of strong running backs does make that more of a possibility.
George Pickens, WR, Cowboys (FLEX $8,400, CPT $12,600)
Pickens gets a tough matchup here to be sure, which, along with a fairly high price, might keep him from being a super popular captain pick. But, he makes for a great pick due to his upside, which should be high in this game. He is going to get a few deep targets and even with good coverage, he has elite ability to come down with jump balls. The risk is high, but he makes for a strong pick in tournaments.
DeVonta Smith, WR, Eagles (FLEX $9,600, CPT $14,400)
I could also see using A.J. Brown here, but both have good upside if the Cowboys turn this into a game and Brown’s price is the fourth-highest on the slate. Smith shouldn’t be as popular as Brown in the captain slot, which is what we’re looking for. His upside is still very high, he just has to be more efficient in getting there.
Will Shipley, RB, Eagles (FLEX $3,400, CPT $5,100)
Shipley appears to have won the RB2 battle, which puts him in Kenneth Gainwell’s now vacated spot. That doesn’t give him a good floor, as Barkley is a usage hog, but, there is a glimmer of hope for this week. The Eagles should be able to run over the Cowboys and build a lead. They also know they gave Barkley 482 touches last year, including the playoffs. With a safe lead, I would assume Shipley gets work to close out the game.
Jake Ferguson, TE, Cowboys (FLEX $5,000, CPT $7,500)
Ferguson has a tough matchup here, but volume and focus on stopping big plays to Pickens and Lamb should allow Ferguson a decent floor at a good price. With so much likely pass volume, Ferguson should be able to bring you value with some hope for a touchdown spike.
KaVontae Turpin, WR, Cowboys (FLEX $2,800, CPT $4,200)
Turpin will likely have pretty high rostership at his price, but for good reason. The Cowboys will need to attack this Eagles defense from as many angles as possible. Turpin is dynamic with the ball in his hands, but it can be tough to get the ball in his hands. But, with a weak running back crew, we could see him get rushing attempts along with quick underneath routes that scheme him open.
