DCC Calendar Shoot: First Look

Honorable Mention.

10. Alex Smith (KC) – He won't ever be the flashiest player on a list but he can be effective, especially with Andy Reid calling the shots. Smith has found a home in Kansas City and he's certainly good enough to win games.  

9. Carson Palmer (Arizona) – A Week 3 matchup in Phoenix will be a huge test for the Cowboys, mainly because of the Cards' stingy defense. But Palmer has some weapons around him that can make it tough on the Cowboys' defense as well.   

8. Kirk Cousins (Washington) – The only player on this list with a losing record against the Cowboys, Cousins gets two cracks at improving that 1-4 mark this year. Even with Pierre Garcon and DeSean Jackson leaving in free agency, Cousins will have some firepower to work with, thanks to the addition of Terrelle Pryor. 

7. Philip Rivers (SD) – In just two meetings with the Cowboys, Rivers not only is undefeated, but he put on quite a show back in 2013, despite having a makeshift offensive line. He still threw for 401 yards and completed 83.33 percent of his passes (third-best of his career) to knock off the Cowboys at home.

6. Eli Manning (NYG) – He owns a 14-12 record, including the playoffs, against Dallas, with two wins last year. The addition of Brandon Marshall should only enhance Manning's ability to move the chains.  

5. Dak Prescott (Dallas) – After just one year, Prescott finds himself higher than a two-time Super Bowl winner and likely another Hall of Famer, but the arrow is definitely pointing up for Dak, who earned Rookie of the Year and Pro Bowl honors.

4. Derek Carr (Oakland) – He's one of the best young quarterbacks in the NFL and is putting up numbers at a rapid pace. The Cowboys come to Oakland – perhaps for the last time – in December and it should be a matchup between two of the young superstar quarterbacks in this league. 

3. Russell Wilson (Seattle)– He's one bad play away from winning two straight Super Bowls so he's got some skins on the wall and he has seemingly improved each year. If he stays healthy, he can help carry Seattle once again. 

2. Matt Ryan (Atlanta) – The reigning NFL MVP and Offensive Player of the Year was just a few first downs away from likely solidifying himself as the Super Bowl MVP as well before the Patriots stormed back to take the title.

1. Aaron Rodgers (Green Bay) – Who else could be No. 1? Rodgers would probably take the top spot for all NFL quarterbacks, not just the ones the Cowboys will be trying to stop.