Cowboys vs. Dolphins Set for 2013 Hall of Fame Game to Kick off NFL Preseason

It may still be relatively early in the offseason, but the National Football League is still making headlines four-and-a-half months ahead of the first game of any kind.

The Dallas Cowboys and Miami Dolphins have been scheduled to kick off the league's preseason action for the 2013 Hall of Fame game in Canton, Ohio's Fawcett Stadium.

The Dolphins' official Twitter page broke the news on Tuesday:

As mentioned above, the game will take place on Aug. 4 and be televised on NBC. According to the Pro Football Hall of Fame's official website, tickets will go on sale Tuesday at 11 a.m. EST.

This will be an exciting matchup to be sure, as it pits America's Team against a new-look Miami bunch featuring several high-profile free-agent acquisitions. Chief among them are speedy wide receiver Mike Wallace and ex-Baltimore Ravens standout linebacker Dannell Ellerbe.

Plus, the NFL draft has yet to occur, and each team promises to have intriguing rookies vying for roster spots and early playing time in their pro careers.

For the Cowboys, it will be their fifth appearance, where they are 1-3, while Miami has lost in its prior three exhibitions.

When this showdown gets under way, the 2013 class of Hall of Famers will have been formally inducted just one day prior. Some of them include longtime Cowboys guard Larry Allen, former Dallas head coach Bill Parcells and also Cris Carter, the Minnesota Vikings star who finished his career with the Dolphins.

Although this is a preseason game, attendance and sales are expected to be as high as ever, and 120 previously elected members are expected to show up for the Hall of Fame's 50th Anniversary Golden Reunion Celebration.