After retooling the team this past offseason, the Dallas Cowboys look to compete more than their disappointing 7-10 season in 2024. With one of the more difficult schedules in the league, there will be plenty of entertaining matchups to watch. When you look at circling games on the schedule, keep these specific player battles in mind.
Week 1: OG Tyler Booker vs. DT Jalen Carter
The 2025 season starts with a blockbuster with the Cowboys heading into Philadelphia to watch their rivals hang their Super Bowl banner up to start the 2025 season on Thursday Night Football. On his first day at The Star, rookie Tyler Booker was asked who he was excited to play against in the NFL. His answer was Eagles' interior star Jalen Carter.
Carter is known for his surreal dominance in the interior of the defensive line. In his second year in the league, the 314-pound Eagle was named a Second-Team All-Pro. He finished the season with 4.5 sacks, 12 tackles for a loss, and 23 pressures.
Booker, who the Cowboys drafted 12th overall in the 2025 NFL Draft, will have his hands full in his first NFL game. His freakish power, patience, and technique will set him up well to compete with one of the best DTs in the world. If Booker holds his own, it will be an incredible feat, and a trailer for who the team will have replacing future Hall of Fame guard Zack Martin for the foreseeable future.
Week 2: LB Kenneth Murray vs. RB Tyrone Tracy
With a long-term injury to linebacker DeMarvion Overshown and the loss of Erik Kendricks, the Cowboys traded for Kenneth Murray to add athleticism to the corps. The former first-rounder hasn't lived up to his draft billing, but can be effective when used correctly.
While much of the defense will be focused on containing wideout Malik Nabers, running back Tyrone Tracy should not be an afterthought. The speedy wideout-turned-running back racked up 1123 total yards and six touchdowns as a rookie despite not seeing many snaps until Week 5.
Former nickel Jourdan Lewis was usually tasked with covering these quick receiving backs, but his departure and Murray's arrival lined up to match. The linebacker doesn't miss tackles often, so long as he's in position. He will play a vital role in ensuring the Giants' offense is one-dimensional.
Week 3: DC Matt Eberflus vs. Bears QB Caleb Williams
The Bears' offense struggled immensely in 2024 despite adding a plethora of weapons, including quarterback Caleb Williams and wideout, Rome Odunze. Starting as a rookie is difficult for quarterbacks, but it's hard to blame Williams when he was sacked a league-high 68 times.
Eberflus was the head coach of the Bears before returning to Dallas as defensive coordinator after previously serving as the linebackers' coach from 2011 to 2017. He got a front-row seat in understanding the players and their weaknesses, and has a plethora of defensive weapons to threaten Chicago's offensive weaknesses.
Chicago revamped the group, adding new starters for all three interior offensive line spots. That's highlighted by the trade for left guard Joe Thuney, who was selected as a First-Team All-Pro the past two years. The team will certainly look different than that which Eberflus fielded, but his insider knowledge of the returning players should give him an upper hand.
Week 4: CB Shavon Revel vs. WR Romeo Doubs
With many of Dallas' cornerbacks coming back from injuries, there was a need at the position to help stabilize the spot. Drafting Shavon Revel in the third round will do just that. While he is returning from an ACL tear, it happened in September, which will make him one year removed from the injury when the regular season starts, and his surgery was done by the Cowboys' team doctor, Dr. Dan Cooper.
Romeo Doubs is not a superstar name, but is the big-body wideout on the Packers that quarterback Jordan Love looks to in the red zone. All four of his scores from 2024 came from a passing play inside the opposing 25-yard line.
Revel, who stands at a towering six feet and three inches tall, has the size to make any throw a tight window one. When space is limited in the red zone, his size will significantly help prevent touchdowns. It will be a good test for Revel to prove the team can rely on him, even with Trevon Diggs back.
Week 5: Cowboys' defensive line vs. Jets' offensive line
This week will be a battle of the trenches, and one that new Cowboys defensive line coach Aaron Whitecotton should take as a personal matchup. He was the defensive line coach with the Jets from 2021 to 2024, leading the unit to be one of the only bright spots on the team.
After another disappointing season, the Jets drafted Armand Membou seventh overall to join three linemen on rookie contracts. Alijah Vera-Tucker and Olu Fashnu were 2021 and 2024 first-round picks, while Joe Tippman was a 2023 second-round pick. The unit is looking to continue developing as an already solid pass-blocking unit, with room for improvement in the run game.
Whitecotton has a plethora of talent at his disposal to deploy against the Jets' young line. The speed of edge rushers Micah Parsons and Donovan Ezeiruaku is complemented by the power of Mazi Smith and the quick hands of Osa Odighizua on the interior. With the speedy Justin Fields at quarterback, the unit must be on their toes.
Week 6: WR George Pickens vs. CB Jaycee Horn
The Panthers are a rebuilding team. There are a few very talented players, but the team is still retooling and developing. Cornerback Jaycee Horn is one of the building blocks that will help turn the tide around for the Panthers.
Unfortunately for him, the Cowboys have a weapon that will be feared.
In need of a secondary wideout, Dallas traded for George Pickens. The big-play receiver can threaten corners downfield and high-point balls. With CeeDee Lamb primarily working in the slot, Pickens on the outside will likely be lining up with Horn most of the game.
The corner earned his first Pro Bowl nod this past season with 13 pass deflections and his fourth consecutive season holding quarterbacks to under a 60 percent completion percentage when targeting him. Seeing two playmakers battle will be a pleasant sight, and a great test to see how the new addition will perform in the Cowboys' scheme.
Week 7: DE Micah Parsons vs. LT Laremy Tunsil
Since being drafted in 2016, Laremy Tunsil has been one of the best pass-blockers in the NFL. Ironically enough, lining up across from him in Week 7 will be one of the best pass-rushers since he was drafted: Micah Parsons.
Parsons is arguably the best defensive player in the league, utilizing quickness and power to blow past any lineman in his path. Unfortunately for him, that wasn't enough to beat Tunsil in both their matchups against each other so far. Micah registered four pressures, but zero sacks and tackles for loss.
Now in their third game against each other, and Parsons seemingly getting better each year, the third game might be the charm for him to finally record a sack or tackle for a loss. The one difference is that quarterback Jayden Daniels moves in the pocket more than Tunsil's former quarterbacks, which could allow the edge rusher to catch him on the move.
Week 8: CB Trevon Diggs vs. WR Courtland Sutton
It was terrible news when star cornerback Trevon Diggs seriously injured his left knee in back-to-back seasons. The playmaking corner is feared by quarterbacks for picking off any pass thrown in his direction. The Bo Nix-Courtland Sutton connection will give him a challenging test.
From Case Keenum to Drew Lock, and even an underwhelming Russell Wilson, Sutton has made the most of his opportunities. Having a big frame gives him an advantage against most corners, but Diggs' vertical and ball-tracking ability are enough to make it an even playing field.
This matchup against one of the more accurate quarterbacks and reliable pass catchers will test Diggs' return from another brutal injury and his explosiveness in jumping passes. There's a chance he won't be healthy enough to return by this point, but if he is, it'll be a physical battle.
The first half of the season is lighter than the second, with a hefty six-game streak from Week 12 to Week 17, but the first half will be a great test for the young core to get some NFL reps, and those returning from injuries to get back into NFL shape.