On a day where backup quarterbacks provided victories for Denver, Houston and Indianapolis, the Cowboys were thrilled to send theirs back to the bench.
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Romo had some shaky moments against Miami, but he was solid overall as he completed 18-of-28 passes for 227 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions in his first game since Week 2 of the season.
“When we’re through with this season, I want our fans to say, ‘But had they had Romo, this might have been one of the best teams or the best team in the National Football League, ‘ that’s the goal”. “Even though we didn’t win over the last seven weeks, and I know that’s ultimately what we are all defined by – how you perform and play on Sundays – is really a direct reflection of who you are”.
Quarterbacks have won the award seven of the past eight years.
The most definitive illustration of Romo’s impact on this team came when he converted an nearly certain drive-killing 2nd-and-27 in the second quarter. And Miami entered Sunday’s game 26th in fourth-quarter scoring at 5.6 points. It wasn’t an entirely bad stretch for the Cowboys as they may have found an answer in their running game with Darren McFadden putting together two 100-yard rushing performances in his four starts this season.
More seriously, Romo – who was intercepted twice – said he played some situational football.
It’s the correct calculation of risk versus reward, not to mention having the command of the offense that the Cowboys missed so much in Romo’s absence. He once again makes Bryant and tight end Jason Witten – although the latter player is dealing with injuries – both lethal options in the passing game. “He brings great energy”. When you haven’t played in a little bit, sometimes you have to get yourself acclimated back into the game.
McFadden gained 129 yards on 29 carries Sunday in the Cowboys’ 24-14 win over Miami, but it was the way he closed out the game that had his teammates and coaches gushing.
It was the duo’s 50th touchdown connection, surpassing the Cowboys record formerly held by Hall-of-Famers Troy Aikman and Michael Irvin. “He just makes things happen, and that’s what he did today”. In terms of fearlessness, that’s the Romo effect.
“Maybe that goes over in that dream category, but you saw (Sunday) the difference Tony made to his team”, Jones said Tuesday on local KRLD-FM radio in Dallas. “Not only the guys on offense, but the guys on defense and the kicking game, as well”.
Dallas’ defense, which was burdened with short offensive possessions and caved in fourth quarters with Romo out, only faced 41 plays Sunday and didn’t surrender a fourth-quarter point.
But let’s not give Romo the MVP quite yet and don’t book that playoff berth either.
But despite the issues that came along with knocking off the rust, Romo’s return provided his team faith. Will the Cowboys go on to win the NFC East? Four days and it’s back on the grind.
“It seemed like he handled the game really well”, Garrett said. “The Carolina Panthers are coming to town”.
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The betting public keeps waiting for the Panthers to be exposed, but it’s time to accept that they are just a very good team. The Cowboys aren’t. The Cowboys are just focusing on the next game and that next game is a major challenge against a Carolina Panthers team that has been rolling this season.
