As far as the upcoming Eagles’ season this year, think big.

That’s what the responders thought in a recent Times News Facebook page poll.

The Eagles appear ready to fly toward capturing their second consecutive NFC East title. They were the last team to accomplish the feat when they had a four-peat from 2001 to 2004.

Their trek begins Thursday night against the Dallas Cowboys in a nationally televised game at the Linc.

In this Inside the Huddle column, I’ll take a look at Eagles-Cowboys history, as well as the opening of the season.

Also, did one of Notre Dame’s strengths fail them in its opener? And what local high school team had an undefeated run in 1969?

Where’s the Challenge ... While the Eagles are heavy contenders to win the NFC East, who will challenge them?

Dallas’ stock took a drastic dip when the Boys dumped Micah Parsons, and they’ll have to rely on Dak Prescott and Cee Dee Lamb to turn the offense up a notch.

Washington will have to show that last season’s late run wasn’t a fluke. Jayden Daniels has to avoid a sophomore jinx, and it did sign disgruntled star wide receiver Terry McLaurin to an extension. The big question for the Commanders will be their depth.

The Giants look like a fun team to watch with rookies Jaxson Dart, Cameron Skatterbo and Abdul Carter. A murderous schedule can slow their progress.

Who will be on the Eagles’ tail? Look to the Commanders and a late ride by the Giants when Dart takes over for Russell Wilson. The Cowboys look to be roped and tied.

You Said It ... In the Times News poll, 68 percent of the participants believed the Birds would win 12 or more games this season. (They were 13-4 last season.)

There was a wide margin between the other three possible answers: 12 percent saw the Eagles winning 11 games, while both 10 percent registered the Birds recording either nine or 10 wins this coming campaign.

For Openers ... The Eagles and Cowboys have only met four times for season openers, and the Birds have a 1-3 slate in the matchups.

In 1970 in the final year at Franklin Field, the Eagles committed four turnovers in a 17-7 loss.

Dallas’ Calvin Hill ran for 117 yards, and Roger Staubach completed 11 of 15 passes for 115 yards with a touchdown.

Norm Snead completed 10 of 23 passes for 138 and a touchdown pass to Ben Hawkins, but Snead was picked off three times. Tom Woodeshick ran for 55 yards.

In 1972 after Dallas’ Super Bowl win, the Cowboys rode to a 28-6 victory at Texas Stadium.

Dallas’ Craig Morton tossed a pair of touchdown passes and had two interceptions with 235 yards, while Hill accounted for 65 yards.

Tom Dempsey accounted for the Eagles’ scoring with a pair of field goals. John Reeves threw for 143 yards with a pair of interceptions, and Po James ran for 38 yards.

In 1976 at the Vet, Dallas grounded the Eagles, 27-7. The Cowboys took a 20-0 halftime lead.

Staubach threw for 242 yards and tossed a pair of touchdown passes, while Scott Laidlaw rambled for 104 yards.

Mike Boryla threw for 152 yards with two interceptions and a touchdown toss to Tom Sullivan. Mike Hogan ran for 37 yards.

Finally in 2000, the Eagles broke the streak with a 41-14 rout under then new coach Andy Reid. It reportedly was 109 degrees inside open-air Texas Stadium.

Duce Staley tore through the Dallas defense for 201 yards and a touchdown, while Donovan McNabb threw for 130 yards with a pair of interceptions.

Ex-Eagle Randall Cunningham had 135 yards passing with an interception, and the Birds’ defense held Emmitt Smith to 29 yards.

Who was the Cowboys coach in 2000? Try Dave Campo.

Topping Off ... Here is one man’s opinion of the top five teams’ heading into the opening week:

1) Eagles - Yes, it’s safe to say that the defending Super Bowl champs are the top team beginning the season. Philly lost some key components on defense, but they have been able to reload. Top pick edge rusher Jihad Campbell could be something special. If Saquon Barkley and Jalen Hurts stay healthy and focused, the offense will be set.

2) Ravens - Maybe this is the year that Lamar Jackson finally gets through the AFC Championship Game. The Ravens appear loaded, and Derrick Henry hasn’t shown any signs of slowing down. They have all the pieces and a great coach, but it all hinges on Jackson.

3) Bills - Like Jackson, Josh Allen could be on his way to the Promised Land. There are plenty of critics of head coach Sean McDermott, but the Bills can still win. The addition of edge rusher Joey Bosa and cornerback Jaire Alexander will be a big lift toward another AFC East title.

4) Chiefs - Will the Andy Reid-Patrick Mahomes magic ever wear thin? The Chiefs took a big hit with the loss of receiver Rashee Rice, but they still have a potent attack. With this being Travis Kelce’s last year, the Chiefs could have an added incentive. We’ll see plenty of Taylor Swift, and she’ll likely be the Super Bowl halftime show.

5) Lions - This will be interesting to watch. The Lions lost both coordinators and six coaches overall as well as offensive linemen Kevin Zeitler and Frank Ragnow and favorite backup tackle Dan Skipper. Believe in head coach Dan Campbell.

In the Shadows ... Watch the Packers. With the addition of Parsons, and quarterback Jordan Love on the rise, they are a dark horse to win the NFC Championship.

Also, the Bengals may be able to put it all together in the AFC if their defense shows up. Something tells me that Aaron Rodgers will have a big year in Pittsburgh, and the Steelers will be back in the postseason.

Bottoming Out ... Here is one man’s opinion of the league worst five teams beginning the season (worst to fifth worst)

1) Saints - The sudden retirement of quarterback Derek Carr sent shock waves through the Bayou. Spencer Rattler will start the season and may soon be added to the team’s list of forgotten starting quarterbacks. Their defense isn’t good, and it looks like a long year.

2) Browns - Forty-year-old Joe Flacco is starting the season. Should be enough said. Their lone highlight will be the Shedeur Sanders show that will premier soon.

3) Panthers - Bryce Young finally showed some promise down the stretch last season, and he now has to prove his worth. Unfortunately, they still have plenty of holes to fill.

4) Titans - Cam Ward begins another chapter in Titans history this week. Unfortunately, he and his teammates will experience their share of growing pains. Jeffery Simmons is a stud on defense, but there isn’t much else.

5) Raiders - Pete Carroll was brought there to revive the franchise. Ashton Jentry looks like a potential top fantasy pick. However, potential will be the key word for the Raiders this season.

On Golden Dome ... There’s plenty to mull over in Notre Dame’s 27-24 loss to Miami. However, it was one of the better opening games.

One factor that may have slipped under the radar was the play of their offensive line, which allowed less than two sacks per game last season. The Irish returned four starters, but they looked shaky Sunday night.

First-year starter C.J. Carr was sacked three times (three tackles for loss), and the Irish gained 94 yards on 27 carries — 30 on one. It also could be questioned why Notre Dame didn’t run more with Carr’s first start.

Still, the Irish can legitimately make an undefeated run over the final 11 games, being favorites in each one. They’ll return to action hosting Texas A&M Sept. 13.

Make a Wager ... In case you want to lay some sheckles down, here’s a tip.

Since 2000, the defending Super Bowl champions are 20-5 against the spread in their season opener.

Scrapbook ... Each week, I’ll turn back the pages to rekindle some thoughts about a former standout from our area. Or as in the following, it can be a team.

In 1969, the Slatington High School (now Northern Lehigh) football team posted an undefeated 10-0 season playing in the Lehigh Valley Interscholastic League. It played through an impressive schedule of Pennridge, Parkland, Lehighton, Emmaus, Northampton, Catasauqua, Whitehall, Stroudsburg, Upper Perkiomen and Palmerton — becoming the school’s first undefeated and championship team.

In the process, they were extremely impressive, scoring 340 points and allowed just 46 points over 10 games. They recorded five shutouts, allowed just seven touchdowns and forced 38 turnovers (23 interceptions and 15 recovered fumbles).

Individually, Don Rubright set a school record with six touchdown passes in a game, and Pete George returned three blocked punts for scores.

Under head coach Paul Turner, team members were George, Rubright, Glenn Parry (co-captain), Ivan Weiss (co-captain)Karl Andreas, Randy Biege, Dean Greenawalt, Bob Hughes, Robert Kemmerer, Lewis Kern, Wayne Kern, Keith Kester, Dave Kuhnsman, Andy Pataki, James Schuler, Mike Trainer, Steve Trainer, Rodney Lobach, Bruce Lorrah, Jim Marcucci, Dennis Mosteller, Barry Oswald, Dan Papay, Gary Papay, Dane Parry, Donnie Evans, Woody Peters, Kerry Loch, Brian Kistler, Ron Ross, Todd Smith, Earl Snyder, and Carl Yenser.

Matriculating Down the Field ... Each week, I’ll look back at a former player, team, or coach.

Over the years, there have been 71 players who have played for both the Eagles and Cowboys.

Miles Sanders will be one of the primary running backs for the Cowboys this fall. Sanders played four years with the Eagles from 2019-22, gaining 3,708 yards with 20 touchdowns and caught 124 passes for 942 yards with three touchdowns.

His best season with the Birds was in 2022 when he rushed for 1,269 yards with 11 touchdowns.

The other eight running backs who played for both teams were Cyril Pinder, Eagles, 1968-70, Cowboys, 1973; Junior Tautalatsi, 1986-88, 1989; Herschel Walker, 1992-94, 1986-97; Chris Warren, 2000, 1998-2000; Dennis Morgan, 1975, 1974; Mark Higgs, 1989, 1988; Merrill Douglas, 1962, 1961; and Corey Clement, 2017-20, 2021.

Prediction ... It will be a tight game in the early going before Barkley and Hurts find their grooves. The Birds’ defense will corral the Cowboys in the second half and make it a long night for Prescott and Co.

The Eagles won both games last season by a combined 75-13 score. They’ll start back toward the trend.. EAGLES, 31-13.

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