The NFC East’s grandest stage was set. Eagles. Cowboys . Prime-time lights. From the fireworks in the pregame festivities to the opening roar of the Philadelphia taking the field, it all screamed a classic rivalry. The energy inside Lincoln Financial Field hadn’t yet reached its peak before the action was brought to a grinding, surreal stop.

What had been an electric beginning came to an anxious halt. Around the midway point in the third quarter, as the Eagles had a 24-20 advantage, referee Shawn Smith directed both teams to the locker rooms. Lightning had been reported within six miles of the stadium. The news caught fans in the midst of observing a back-and-forth contest. At 10:27 p.m. ET, play became officially suspended, leaving a sold-out stadium in limbo.

Though thunder and lig

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