Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

Cowboys QB Dak Prescott plans to deliver belated birthday gift to HC

Dak Prescott plans to deliver head coach Mike McCarthy a belated birthday gift Sunday: a win over Green Bay. 

"That'll be his present," the Cowboys' QB said during a Thursday news conference. "I made them play a little birthday music for him today."

McCarthy, who turned 59 years old Thursday, was the Green Bay head coach from 2006-2018. After winning the second-most games in the franchise's history (125) and Super Bowl XLV, the Packers fired him following a 4-7-1 start in 2018.

McCarthy is returning to Lambeau Field for the first time since his dismissal. He attempted to curtail emotions surrounding the game, but McCarthy couldn't contain tears during a Monday news conference. 

Prescott revealed the emotional storyline is a factor that has galvanized the team, a 4.5-point favorite, per Oddschecker.com

"I can't wait for his Saturday night speech," Prescott said. "We know how long he was up there. We know how special going back up there is for him." 

The last time the Cowboys beat the Packers (3-6) was in Prescott's rookie year in 2016. 

Prescott is motivated to get his first victory in six years over Green Bay, whose passing defense is ranked second in the league. He's motivated to deliver for McCarthy, too.

"He knows I've got his back," he said. "He's meant a lot."  

More must-reads:

TODAY'S BEST
Bulls hire former NBA head coach as top assistant
Chiefs move on from young running back
20-year MLB veteran working out, unsure about playing future
USA Hockey names HC for 2025 4 Nations Face-Off and 2026 Olympics
Key Knicks forward ruled out for Game 7 vs. Pacers
Pacers' Pascal Siakam leads team to Game 6 win vs. Knicks
Watch: Matt Duchene's 2OT winner sends Stars to conference final
Scottie Scheffler shoots improbable 66 after warming up for PGA Championship in a jail cell
Report: Tua Tagovailoa away from Dolphins amid contract chatter
Nuggets star has worrying comment about latest injury
Paul Skenes makes incredible Wrigley Field history in second-career MLB start
Giants rookie CF to undergo season-ending labrum surgery
Yankees' Juan Soto reacts to Hal Steinbrenner contract talk
Late goal sends Panthers to Eastern Conference Finals
Ex-teammate of Shohei Ohtani placed bets with same illegal bookmaker as interpreter 
Former Rams first-round pick retires from NFL after 11 seasons
Insider provides major injury update on Celtics' Kristaps Porzingis
Watch: Bruins strike first in Game 6 with incredible backhand goal
Dodgers make series of moves involving notable players
Hurricanes not expected to re-sign defenseman, center