Dak Prescott Reveals Dallas Cowboys 'Concern' Level With NFC Playoff Race

The Dallas Cowboys "gained" ground in the NFC during their bye week, but quarterback Dak Prescott has the blinkers on and isn't concerned with other teams' results.

The world of track and field seems to be a "running'' theme for the Dallas Cowboys this week as the Los Angeles Rams come into view, with defensive coordinator Dan Quinn and now Dak Prescott both obviously in the racing mood.

With the Cowboys having the bye week, coach Mike McCarthy's team gained ground in the NFC, as the Detroit Lions and San Francisco 49ers both lost, and that presents a tantalizing opportunity to close the gap even more on Sunday at AT&T Stadium.

But Prescott is only focused on how his team runs its race, not on what others do. 

“We’re running our own race,” Prescott said. “[We] talked about it last week or after the Chargers game. ... We're not looking at anybody else. We're going to worry about being the best versions of ourselves that we can put on the field every Sunday. So right now, it's about being better than we were against the Chargers, and simple as that. We know what this league's about ...''

With both the Lions (5-2) and the 49ers (5-2) coming off losses in Week 7, the Cowboys, despite whatever shortcomings through six weeks, have a chance to move level on wins with the pair.

Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott isn't focusing on other results in the NFC / Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Of course, the Rams will present stiff competition for Prescott and the Cowboys. The QB makes it clear Dallas is not looking ahead to Cowboys at Eagles in Week 9.

With such a long season, the bye week game came at the right time for the Cowboys, as evidenced by only two players, Tyron Smith (neck) and Juanyeh Thomas (hamstring), listed on the Dallas injury report.

The NFL isn't a sprint to the finish line; it's a marathon, and while we are only through the first "trimester," as Mike McCarthy calls it, the Cowboys aren't worried about their competitors.

They're working to ensure that when the playoff-berth medals are handed out, they have a place on the stand.