Dak Prescott 'fired up' by success of Dallas Stars, Mavericks

As the Dallas Stars and Dallas Mavericks try to break through their respective conference finals this week, the pressure on the Dallas Cowboys has only increased as the team heads into Year 5 under Mike McCarthy and Year 9 of the Dak Prescott era. In all the time that Prescott has been with the Cowboys, the team hasn’t been able to get over the hump, which in this case is the second round of the NFL playoffs.

After watching the Texas Rangers win the World Series last year and witnessing the success of the local NHL and NBA franchises, the Cowboys quarterback is only more “fired up” to bring fans a Super Bowl. And if not a Super Bowl, at least a conference title.

“It’s not jealousy, but it fires you up,” Prescott said on Wednesday. “Yeah. 100%, I think any competitor should, damn sure in my position, leader of the team, would. Understanding what winning means here and not getting it done. And then watching your brothers, you see your brothers across the city going, making things happen.

“I want it. It only raises the stakes and makes it tougher on me and I’m for that, so go win it. Go win. The Rangers did it. Put more f***ing pressure on us.”

The Mavericks won game one of the Western Conference Finals on Wednesday night, beating the Minnesota Timberwolves 108-105. Meanwhile, the Stars take on the Oilers in game one on Thursday night.

Cowboys have ‘good’ schedule for 2024

Following the release of all 32 NFL teams’ schedules last week, the reviews are in. According to ESPN analyst Dan Graziano, the Cowboys’ schedule falls into the “good” category when comparing the good, the bad and the ugly. That doesn’t mean their path to the playoffs comes without challenges, but Graziano sees a way in if they can power through the slog of the first half.

“The Dallas Cowboys (got it good),” Graziano said on Get Up on Thursday. “I know everybody thinks the Dallas Cowboys are going to stink because they didn’t sign any free agents but if they can somehow manage the first half of the season, the second half of the schedule sets up great.

“Six of their last nine games are at home. That stretch of nine games includes both games against the Commanders, one game against the Giants. Looks like a soft finish to the season for Dallas. Again, assuming they get through the first half ok.”

Prior to the schedule release, Las Vegas odds makers set the Cowboys’ win total to 10 games. Dallas has reached 12 wins in each of the last three seasons.

Dallas’ 2024 schedule

• Week 1 – at Cleveland Browns, Sun. Sept. 8, 3:25 p.m. CT
• Week 2 – vs. New Orleans Saints, Sun. Sept. 15, 12 p.m. CT
• Week 3 – vs. Baltimore Ravens, Sun. Sept. 22, 3:25 p.m. CT
• Week 4 – at New York Giants, Sun. Sept. 26, 7:15 p.m. CT
• Week 5 – at Pittsburgh Steelers, Sun. Oct. 6, 7:20 p.m. CT
• Week 6 – vs. Detriot Lions, Sun. Oct. 13, 3:25 p.m. CT
• Week 7 – Bye
• Week 8 – at San Francisco 49ers, Sun. Oct. 27, 7:20 p.m. CT
• Week 9 – vs. Atlanta Falcons, Sun. Nov. 3, 12 p.m. CT
• Week 10 – vs. Philadelphia Eagles, Sun. Nov. 10, 3:25 p.m. CT
• Week 11 – vs. Houston Texans, Mon. Nov. 18, 7:15 p.m. CT
• Week 12 – at Washington Commanders, Sun. Nov. 24, 12 pm CT
• Week 13 – vs. New York Giants (Thanksgiving), Thur. Nov. 28, 3:30 p.m. CT
• Week 14 – vs. Cincinnati Bengals, Mon. Dec. 9, 7:15 p.m. CT
• Week 15 – at Carolina Panthers, Sun. Dec. 15, 12 p.m. CT
• Week 16 – vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Sun. Dec. 22, 7:20 p.m. CT
• Week 17 – at Philadelphia Eagles, Sun. Dec. 29, 3:25 p.m. CT
• Week 18 – vs. Washington Commanders, Sat/Sun. Jan. 4/5, TBD