Cowboy Roundup: Players who must be X-factors vs Eagles, Rookie expectations?

Happy Tuesday, Dallas Cowboys Nation. Hopefully everyone enjoyed the extended holiday weekend. And, now, in just over 48 hours, the Cowboys will be taking the field in the first game of the 2025 NFL regular season to take on the Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field.

It's a blockbuster NFC East showdown to kick off the new season, and all eyes will be on Dallas to see how the Brian Schottenheimer era officially begins.

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After the roster shakeup last week, it's going to be interesting to see how the Cowboys' defense stacks up against the defending champs.

Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley runs the ball against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. | Tim Heitman-Imagn Images

Of course, while Micah Parsons' departure will impact the pass rush, the big storyline will be how the interior defensive line can hold up against the vaunted Philly rushing attack. Let's hope Kenny Clark is as advertised.

While we wait to see what the next few days leading up to kickoff bring, let's check out some of the headlines making waves online and around social media that we may have missed.

Players who must be X-factors vs Eagles

Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Mazi Smith and Detroit Lions center Frank Ragnow battle on the line at AT&T Stadium | Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

InsideTheStar.com takes a look at some of the players who must step up against the division rival Eagles to be X-factors in the season opener.

Expectations for Cowboys rookies in Week 1

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott prepares to take the snap as guard Tyler Booker reacts at training camp | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Blogging the Boys breaks down what fans should expect from the Cowboys rookies when they take the field against the Super Bowl champs on Thursday night.

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