(Editor's Note: Who doesn't love lists? Throughout the year, 'High 5' will provide a top five list for many of the critical topics surrounding the Dallas Cowboys 2024 season.)
The quarterback situation is far from ideal internally. Dak Prescott is out for the rest of the season and the backup quarterbacks are trying to find their rhythm on the offensive side of the ball. This week provides another good benchmark for the Dallas Cowboys (3-6), along with Cooper Rush, as they take on the Houston Texans (6-4) and the reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year, C.J. Stroud.
Throughout the season, the Cowboys have seen several of the best quarterbacks in the league. Lamar Jackson, Jared Goff, Jalen Hurts, Brock Purdy, and Kirk Cousins have all handed Dallas a loss this season, with more great gunslingers are on the horizon.
Because the Cowboys play a first-place schedule, there is a good chance they'll continue to play some of the league's best at the position. Let's rank the top five quarterbacks remaining on the Cowboys schedule this season.
5) Baker Mayfield – Tampa Bay - Even though the Buccaneers are entering their bye week on a four-game skid, Mayfield has done everything he can without a few of his top targets. Mike Evans and Chris Godwin have each missed significant time over the last four games, all against teams that are first or second in their division this season. Mayfield enters this week tied for the NFL lead in passing touchdowns (24) and still ranks top five in passing yards as well. And even without his top two targets, he carried a streak of at least two passing touchdowns per game from Week 4 to Week 9. As soon as he gets some reinforcements back, fully expect the Bucs offense to get going again.
4) Jayden Daniels – Washington - The only reason Jayden Daniels isn't higher on this list is because of the 'unproven' factor. In the short sample size of 11 starts, he's been fantastic. He became the 10th player since 1950 to have seven or more QB wins and over 2,500 yards in his first 10 career starts. The last to do so are Daniels, Lamar Jackson, and Patrick Mahomes. If he continues this tear, he could be an MVP-caliber player. But it's too early to rate him any higher than four so far.
3) C.J. Stroud – Houston - As a rookie, C.J. Stroud took the league by storm by winning AP Offensive Rookie of the Year and leading an unlikely Texans charge to the playoffs. This year, he began the encore performance by starting 5-1 and marching out to a commanding lead in the AFC South. However, these last four weeks have been a different story. He has a 72.8 passer rating since Week 7, the worst among any quarterback with 100-plus pass attempts over that time span. Additionally, he has seen the second-largest drop off for yards per game (-36.8) by an AP OROY from his first to second year all-time. There are struggles offensively for Houston, and Stroud has a big hand in turning it around.
2) Jalen Hurts – Philadelphia - It's hard to deny, Jalen Hurts is back to playing incredible football for Philadelphia again. Prior to their Week 11 matchup with Washington, he became the first player in NFL History with at least eight passing touchdowns and eight rushing touchdowns over a five-game span. Philly had won all five of those games and extended their streak to six by defeating the Commanders on Thursday night.
1) Joe Burrow – Cincinnati - Burrow has been ballin'. He ranks third in the NFL for TD-INT ratio with 24 touchdowns and just four interceptions. He's also leading the league in passing yards and is top six in passing yards per game and passer rating as well. It hasn't been an easy campaign for the Bengals as a team with a 4-6 record, but Burrow has tallied a 2.5 touchdown per game average in losses this season. It's rare to see such great quarterback play without the team success. But let it be known, "Joe Brrr" isn't cooling off any time soon.
