The NFL schedule won't be revealed in full until 8 pm ET, but high-profile matchups will get announced throughout the day.
As of this writing, we know the Dallas Cowboys will open the season against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. The Cowboys will also host Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs on Thanksgiving, which could shatter ratings records.
Sure enough, Dallas matchup got leaked early Wednesday. According to Art Stapleton of Northjersey.com and USA Today, the Cowboys home opener will come against the rival New York Giants in Week 2.
While Dallas figures to be heavy favorites, it has to be said that the NFL hasn't done first-round pick Tyler Booker any favors to start his career.
NFL screws Cowboys rookie Tyler Booker with brutal start to his career
Similar to Cowboys 2024 first-round pick Tyler Guyton having to face Myles Garrett to start last season, Booker will match up against Eagles star Jalen Carter in Week 1 before facing Giants defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence in Week 2.
Carter and Lawrence are two of the best interior defenders in the game.
Over the last two seasons, Carter boasts the fourth-best PFF pass-rush grade among interior defenders. He ranked top 10 in pressures, hits and hurries last season to go with 12 tackles for loss and six passes defended. While strong numbers, his full impact is not reflected in the box score.
Lawrence, meanwhile, might have won Defensive Player of the Year last season if not for a dislocated elbow that ended his season after 12 games. His 10 sacks were fourth at the position even though he missed the final five games, per PFF, and he finished second among 219 DIs with a 89.9 PFF grade and a 83.8 run-defense grade. He is one of the best defesive players in the league.
Needless to say Booker will have his hands full to start his career. The Alabama product actually circled Carter as someone he couldn't wait to face after he got drafted. He clearly has the right mindset to hold his own in these matchups, but it is impossible to quantify going from playing SEC starters to two of the best defenders in the world right out of the gate.
Cowboys fans won't have to wait learn to see what the rookie is made of.