Despite playoffs being off the menu, Dak Prescott says there is still a lot for this group to play for in the final three weeks.
The Dallas Cowboys will enter Week 16 knowing that they could be officially knocked out of the playoffs if the Philadelphia Eagles win on Saturday.
That means three regular-season games with nothing to play for ... in terms of playoff contention.
We have spoken of how the Cowboys could "organically tank" to improve their draft hand (currently hold the No. 14 pick).
But we know owner Jerry Jones, head coach Brian Schottenheimer, and Dak Prescott have all scoffed at that idea.
All three want to win.
But there is nothing to achieve by winning these last three games, right?
Well, not according to Prescott. There's still a lot on the line.
“There's a lot to play for, obviously pride's No. 1,” Dak said. “Damn sure don't want to have a losing season, what we've lost two games in a row, damn sure not trying to lose three. You're not throwing the hat in. Sure, we may not make the playoffs, but that's when you talk about pride.
"Nothing should change, don't seem like anyone's clocked out or checked out. That's credit to the leadership and the guys in the locker room. We'll still be playing for a lot.”
Ok. Pride for sure Dak.
But I offer this thought to Cowboys Nation. ...
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If the Cowboys do rally and win their remaining games, that might be a bigger indictment of the locker room.
How so?
Well, if the Cowboys do come together, play good football, and win, the question fans will ask is where was this in the previous two games? The pressure is off, and now the team wins?
In a similar aspect to seeing a spike in form when an interim head coach comes in. Where was that for the outgoing coach?
For Prescott, there is still a lot for his team to play for in these final three weeks.
Pride in performance is clearly No. 1, but with the Cowboys potentially hurting their draft stock in the process, fans might not be on board.
Still, winning games beats losing any day of the week.
Even if it does hurt your draft standing.