The Dallas Cowboys looked as if they were going to blow it again last week against the Washington Redskins, but after some magic from Tony Romo, the team came out on top to get the win and to set up a battle with the Eagles for the NFC East in Week 17, but if the team loses, could Jerry Jones fire Jason Garrett for someone like Jon Gruden or Bill Cowher?
Jones has said multiple times that Garrett is safe heading into next season, but multiple reports have come out that if the team loses the owner will clean house -- but that was all before Tony Romo came down with a back injury. There is a chance that Jones could change his mind if Romo doesn't play against the Eagles, as that would be a justified reason to keep him, but that also would mean that it's the third straight season that the Cowboys lost in Week 17 to miss the playoffs. Two years ago the team lost to the Giants to miss out on the NFC East title and the same thing happened last season with the Washington Redskins, but both of those games were on the road and this time the game will be in Dallas.
Garrett has done a solid job as head coach of the Cowboys, but the fans and the organization have been frustrated with mediocre results and missed playoffs and with Garrett 24-23 with the Cowboys, another .500 set could be enough to get the kick out the door, but he also could get lucky with the Romo injury and Jones would love nothing more than to have a reason not to fire him. Romo has faltered in some of the biggest games for the Cowboys, but he came through in tough fashion last week and now the team has a big set up with the Eagles in Week 17 for a playoff appearance and the NFC East division title.
Gruden's name has not come up in connection with the Dallas job, but that would be the kind of high profile hire that Jones loves and if he fires Garrett, Cowher and Gruden are names that could come up. Gruden has been mentioned in connection with the Texas Longhorns job as well as the Oakland Raiders job if Dennis Allen is let go, but just like the past few years, there is a good chance that Gruden will remain in his broadcast job at ESPN, which he has said that he loves.
The Cowboys are considered America's team, but another playoff miss could mean the end for Garrett.