Cowboys: Good start to the season has the team excited about reaching the NFL playoffs

Mike McCarthy is well acquainted with the feeling of a team building momentum in the opening weeks and ambitions to be in the postseason, something the Dallas Cowboys are feeling for the first time since he took over as coach last year.

The last time the former Green Bay strategist had this feeling was four years ago, just before starting a downward spiral in his long spell with the Packers, precipitated by an injury to quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

An injury to Dak Prescott in the fifth week of last season, costing him the rest of the year, made McCarthy’s debut for Dallas a failure from the start.

Prescott has been spectacular in his return, leading a dynamic and explosive offense.

The Cowboys have won three games since losing their last breath to defending Super Bowl champion Tampa Bay in the first game of the season and when analysts were saying that Dallas would have no chance.

“We have to win at the beginning of the year,” McCarthy warned.

“That was evident after last year. We continue to evaluate in the same way, victory or defeat. I don’t like to compare. It’s not fair to this team or teams from the past. I like the vibe of this group ”.

A three-game winning streak is nothing new for McCarthy in Dallas.

The Cowboys had a similar streak last year, going 6-10.

The problem was that it came when the team was 3-9 after injuries to Prescott and other key players on offense.

On this occasion, Dallas is the solo leader of the East Division of the National Conference for the second week in a row.

“We have a long way to go,” said Prescott, who threw for four touchdowns with 188 yards through the air Sunday against the Carolina Panthers.

“Our expectations and standards are to be the best. Whether we are 3-1 or whatever the record is, this is the next match. “

The change in offensive production from the first game is something to keep an eye on. Prescott threw for 403 yards while the Cowboys practically ruled out the rushing game in a 31-29 loss to the Buccaneers. In three games since then, Dallas averages 201 yards rushing.

The Cowboys reversed a one-point deficit at halftime with three touchdown passes from Prescott in the third quarter, but loosened in the fourth against Carolina. The Panthers moved to a touchdown when Dallas had possession with 4:31 left. The dominant running game was back on, and the Cowboys ran out of time.

“We’ve played really well the first month of the season, but what I want to see is have a complete game,” running back Ezekiel Elliott said. “I think we took our foot off the gas.”