The Dallas Cowboys still have plenty to play for in 2019. As frustrating a loss as it was, falling to the New England Patriots by four points on the road is hardly a death sentence on the season. After all, only one team in the NFL has fared better when facing them, and that was the Baltimore Ravens who were at home when they smoked Tom Brady and company.

Still, if a fan finds it difficult to envision Jason Garrett returning to coach the Dallas Cowboys in 2020, they are not being bad fans. Owner Jerry Jones can dance around the idea that not having a contract beyond this season was being used as motivation, it certainly warrants the feeling that he too is no longer convinced Garrett is the long-term solution for the organization.

The Cowboys are in danger of not finishing above .500 for the first time in the last four seasons. The rabble has been roused louder and louder with each loss of the season as Dallas has still yet to defeat a team which sported a winning record at the time or currently. They’ve been close, but this ain’t your grand-daddy’s horseshoe pins.

I promise the Cowboys front office has a list of potential head coaches they’ve developed over the course of the season, and it is getting updated constantly. Don’t be mad at them, or us, for being prepared.

Here’s our take, in Top 20 countdown format.

20 Dave Toub , Chiefs Assistant HC Andy Reid's right-hand man and experienced ST coach.

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19 Richard Hightower , 49ers ST Coach Assistant head coach in SF, ST closest thing to running entire team without doing it, and he's really, really good at it.

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18 John Fox , Former Carolina, Oakland, Chicago HC Fox is someone Jones would be interested in if he wanted to go oppo the Garrett hire and get max experience.

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17 Jack Del Rio – Former Jacksonville, Oakland HC We have to admit this is a possibility for Jerry Jones, even if we don't like the idea.

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16 Raheem Morris , Falcons DB Coach Deserving of second shot at big chair, could also be situation where Dallas offensive staff stays intact.

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15 Josh McDaniels , Patriots OC Always mentioned, never inspiring, but there's a chance.

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14 John DeFilippo , Jaguars OC QB whisperer who refuses to design offense around running the ball.

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13 Sean Payton , Saints HC Five-year deal this offseason doesn't make a trading of draft picks more or less far-fetched if Brees retires.

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12 Bill Belichick , Patriots HC A man can dream of some Jimmy Johnson-Jerry Jones feud this offseason, can't he?

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11 Jon Kitna , Cowboys QB Coach What he's done for Prescott's mechanics is insane, seems right temperament for Cowboys head man.

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10 Matt Eberflus , Colts DC Former Dallas LB coach, building great defense in Indy.

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9 Eric Bienemy , Chiefs OC Next in line in Reid's coaching tree, everyone he deems worthy of OC seems to become a great HC.

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8 Urban Meyer , Former Ohio State HC Proven winner on the college level with QBs nowhere near Dak Prescott's level.

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7 Kris Richard , Cowboys DC Outsiders have no idea how much or how little his ideas (not playing the ball) are capped by Rod Marinelli

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6 Jim Harbaugh , Michigan HC The one no one will agree with but should, what he did in SF was remarkable. Just can't top Ohio State.

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5 Robert Saleh , 49ers Defensive Coordinator Crafted insanely good defense and has fiery resolve to help motivate.

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4 Chris Petersen , Washington HC Kellen Moore's head coach at Boise, could lead to exciting reunion of creativity.

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3 Lincoln Riley , Oklahoma Sooners HC Innovation everywhere, two holdbacks are buyout clause and lack of pro experience.

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2 Kellen Moore , Cowboys OC If one believes Garrett is too hands-on with scripting first 15, this is your guy for the future.

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1 Greg Roman , Ravens OC Analytics lover, designer of exciting innovative offense around a QB with mobility.

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