FRISCO, Texas -- The T-shirts and sweatshirts with “finish” on the front have been on constant display for the past few seasons with the Dallas Cowboys.

The message isn’t meant to be subtle.

"'Finish' is such an important part of football. It’s such an important part of life," coach Jason Garrett said. "Our game is set up that way about finishing plays. We really emphasize that -- finishing drives, finishing games, finishing seasons. You want to complete the task, and it’s a challenge to do that. It’s a real emphasis for us in what we do each and every day with our football team, both on and off the field. It’s a great lesson for life as well. You want to finish what you started."

In leading the Cowboys, coach Jason Garrett focuses on finishing in football because "it's a great lesson for life as well. You want to finish what you started." Eric Hartline/USA TODAY Sports

The Cowboys’ chance to finish what they started last March, when the players gathered for informal workouts at their old Valley Ranch practice facility, comes Sunday against the Green Bay Packers in the divisional round of the playoffs at AT&T Stadium.

Ezekiel Elliott called Wednesday’s practice the Cowboys’ best of the season. Dez Bryant agreed and said Thursday’s was good as well. On Friday, Garrett said the energy the entire week has been strong.

At 13-3, the Cowboys earned home-field advantage in the playoffs, yet to some they are viewed as an underdog of sorts because the Packers have won seven straight and have an otherworldly quarterback in Aaron Rodgers.

The Cowboys counter with rookies starting at quarterback and running back in Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott.

Prescott tied an NFL record for most wins by a rookie quarterback, and he set team rookie records in passing yards and touchdowns. He also set a team record for a quarterback with six rushing touchdowns. He was intercepted just four times.

Elliott set team rookie records for rushing yards (1,631) and touchdowns (16). He led the NFL in rushing, and his yardage total was the third best in NFL history by a rookie.

But their rookie season will be judged by how they finish.

“It's kind of the mantra of this team, and it's been all year long,” Prescott said. “Finish everything we do. Finish drills at practice. Finish plays at the end of the game, and finish the game. Right now, it’s about finishing the season the right way.”

Jason Witten was a rookie when the Cowboys surprised everybody in 2003 by making the playoffs. Bill Parcells took a team that had finished 5-11 the three previous seasons and led it to a 10-6 finish to earn a wild-card spot.

The Cowboys lost to the Carolina Panthers, who went on to the Super Bowl, and Witten can still remember the details of that night. “There’s moments that you’ll never forget, of playing out there, a call here or a situation. Coach Parcells had a great halftime talk, because it was a close game at the time,” Witten said. “I think we all understand it’s another level. But I didn’t feel like that stage was ever too big for you, even as a young player. You feel like you belong. ... Coaches do such a good job with the consistency of the week. I think it’s a good thing that you don’t really look at it and say, ‘If I don’t make this one play, and get uptight, that things are going to be different and we’re not going to be playing next week.’ I don’t think that any competitor ever thinks that way.”

Witten is now in his 14th season. He has reached the divisional round of the postseason three times and not gotten any further. In 2007, the Cowboys had home-field advantage and lost to the New York Giants, who went on to win the Super Bowl. In 2009, they lost to the Minnesota Vikings. In 2014, they lost to the Packers.

He knows he won’t have many more chances to break through to a conference championship game and ultimately a Super Bowl. As rookies with their careers ahead of them, Prescott and Elliott could have many more chances, but none may be as great as this one.

They know it’s important to finish.

“I think this time of year, it’s what it’s all about. It’s tournament time. It’s win or go home,” Witten said. “Everybody you’re going to play is a good opponent, and finish is just executing. So I think, kind of looking back on it, it’s really been Coach Garrett’s motto all along, since I’ve known him for 10 years. It’s just, finish everything you do. I think it goes back to more than just the obvious of winning the score, but just the mentality and how he approaches things. I think you’ve seen that in our team.”