Nobody likes losing, especially to a division rival.
The Redskins, of course, didn't experience such an awful taste last Saturday, instead defeating the Philadelphia Eagles 27-24 in a result that would eventually eliminate their opponents from playoff contention.
Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III said that despite its record, his team has continued to fight for wins throughout the last stretch of the season.
That's because "the second you start to accept losing," the quarterback said, "you should stop playing."
"It should always make you upset," Griffin III said of losing. "It should always make you feel a certain type of way."
Griffin III was asked about his first couple years at Baylor, in which the program struggled to keep up. But with the right attitude, the Bears got things turned around, and, by the time Griffin III left, they were one of the top teams in the nation.
"Yeah, we did that at Baylor for a couple of years and it was tough, but you keep going back to work with the same attitude as far as you're going to get better, your urgency picks up and you just don't quit," Griffin said. "I think we have those guys in our locker room that are building towards something greater."
In the victory over the Eagles, the offense sprinkled in strong running and the deep bomb to consistently keep their defense on their heels.
"We wanted to make more plays than they did, and at the end of the game, we did," Griffin III said. "That's why we won – not just offensively but defensively, special teams. ... Everybody stepped up in a big way."
The start marked Griffin III's first since Week 13 against the San Francisco 49ers, and only his sixth of the season.
Griffin III started the first two games of the season before an awkward landing on an acrobatic throw vs. Jacksonville dislocated his ankle and sidelined him for seven weeks.
Kirk Cousins took his place in the starting lineup during the next five games before head coach Jay Gruden elected to go with Colt McCoy out of halftime against the Tennessee Titans on Oct. 19.
McCoy and Griffin III would then alternate the next seven starts.
Now back in the starting lineup, Griffin III not only wants to remain a consistent in the huddle, but wants to build a long-term rapport with Gruden as well.
"You want to build continuity with what you're doing and be able to grow that offense," he said. "You look at some of the long-tenured coaches, long-tenured quarterbacks with that coach, they have a familiarity with each other. That's what we're trying to build.
"I want to get that in my career."
After closing the chapter on last Saturday's victory, the Redskins' primary concentration is netting a second straight division victory, this time against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday at FedExField.
Griffin III said "the only focus" Sunday is to win the game — and not the accomplishments of any individuals.
"It's about winning the game," he said. "It doesn't matter if I throw 10 passes, 30 passes. As long as we win the game, that's all that matters and it's my job to make sure we do."
During Sunday's game, the Redskins will be presented with an opportunity to sweep the season series with the Cowboys for the second time in three seasons.
In Week 8, led by McCoy and a defense that forced the Cowboys into several mistakes and turnovers, the Redskins scored a huge 20-17 overtime victory on Monday Night Football.
Although the Cowboys have since clinched the NFC East title — in part due to the Redskins' Week 16 victory against the Eagles — Washington's players are eager to notch another victory into their belt over their rivals on Sunday to send them into the playoffs on a sour note.
"We understand the rivalry," Griffin III said. "To get a win against them this weekend would be good, but they are not going to make it easy. ... They're not going to come in here and just lay down. It'll be a challenge, but we're up for it."
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