Eagles clip Boys in stormy tie

PHILADELPHIA: The Super Bowl champions Eagles held off the Dallas Cowboys 24-20 in a wild NFL season opener on Thursday (yesterday morning, Thai time), holding firm after an ugly spitting incident and a lengthy weather delay in Philadelphia.

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The Eagles had just raised their championship banner before a packed house at Lincoln Financial Field when defensive standout Jalen Carter was ejected for spitting on Dallas quarterback Dak Prescott as play was paused because of an injury to Philadelphia's Ben VanSumeren on the kickoff.

Prescott had stepped out of a knot of Cowboys players to exchange words with Carter, who could be seen on video spitting on the Dallas signal caller.

Carter, who had 4.5 quarterback sacks and 12 tackles last season, was immediately assessed a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty and thrown out of the game.

The Cowboys then marched 53 yards in six plays for an opening-drive touchdown, Javonte Williams diving into the end zone for a one-yard score.

It was the start of a frenetic first half.

Philadelphia made it 7-7 with 5:55 minutes left in the first on quarterback Jalen Hurts's four-yard rushing TD.