Cowboys intend to keep Garrett

Cowboys coach Jason Garrett is entering the final three games of his contract, yet Dallas is determined to keep him in place, sources told ESPN, as owner Jerry Jones and executive vice president Stephen Jones have told people they intend to bring him back next season.

Even though a playoff spot still is at stake, and could be heavily influenced by the result of Sunday's game in Philadelphia, the Jones family is squarely behind Garrett and the growth he has demonstrated to them.

Plus, Garrett already has clinched his first winning season with the team after three seasons of finishing 8-8.

"Obviously, it's an improvement this year, and an improvement at a time when a lot of people didn't think we would improve," Stephen Jones said on The Ticket (1310 AM) in Dallas on Wednesday night. "They actually thought we might go backwards, and here we are at nine wins with three games to go. We've got a lot of work to do. But I really think Jason is the right guy for this job, and I know Jerry thinks the same thing. I certainly see Jason being a big part of our future."

First place in the NFC East is on the line in Sunday's game against the Eagles. If the Cowboys win their final three games, they will win the division, but a loss Sunday could mean they'll need help to make the postseason as a wild card.

ESPN.com's Todd Archer contributed to this report.