Brian Schottenheimer's 'compete every day' mantra will be tested in the final three weeks with the Cowboys having nothing to play for.
When a team like the Dallas Cowboys has nothing to play for as the season winds down, two things will happen.
One will be that the team checks out mentally, and starts to plan their end of season vacation and the losses pile up.
The other is that the locker room comes together and pulls out a win or two to enter the offseason with hope and positivity.
There's a desire to end the year on a high.
As such, coach Brian Schottenheimer's mantra of "Compete Every Day" will be put to the ultimate test over these next three weeks.
On Saturday night, the Eagles beat the Commanders, 29-18, a win that cements in 10-5 Philly as the first repeat champion in the NFC East in 21 years ... and erases the measly 1-percent chance of making the playoffs that the Cowboys held entering the weekend.
So ... Will 6-7-1 Dallas end the season with a whimper? Or will it galvanize itself and rattle off a couple of wins?
Either way, Schottenheimer isn't worried that his message hasn't gotten across to his players.
“This group of young men, they've given us everything we've ever asked for,” Schottenheimer said. “If you truly do believe in the compete every day mantra, then it should show. The Chargers are very good football team.
"We're focused on us, and we want to win. It's every game we play. You don't win every game you play, but again the main focus right now is going out and playing well and find a way to beat the Chargers on Sunday at home in front of our fans.”
The mentality of this team is going to be one fascinating watch in the final three games.
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We have seen them not give up in games and fight to the end. But that was when there was still something to play for -- there isn't now.
Ok, Dak Prescott stated pride earlier this week, and he is right.
But will the Cowboys be able to put what has transpired this season to one side and put on a good showing against the Los Angeles Chargers?
That is the hope and Schottenheimer appears confident his team will do it.
"Compete Every Day'' has been Dallas' mantra.
But how will this team compete when there's nothing go be gained?
We're about to find out.