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Romo returns as Cowboys end losing streak

With Romo, including Sunday’s 24-14 win at Miami, Dallas is 3-0 in 2015.

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Romo will help the Cowboys attempt to snap a seven-game losing streak when they visit the Miami Dolphins on Sunday.

The Cowboys went 0-7 without their starting quarterback. “He is the savior of our season”.

There’s good reason for confidence in Dallas to swell now that Romo is back.

Asked if he learned anything from his preparation previous year, Romo said Tuesday: “In some ways, just some of the decisions I made were not conducive to me being ready in that short period of time”. The Panthers just got the 10th spot in the league ranking; it would be good if the Cowboys have at least a week to prepare for Cam Newton and the Panthers’ defense. They both really had some powerful words for us. It’s one of those things where he can come to the line of scrimmage and he checks and changes things.

Romo’s play didn’t exactly reflect the level he typically reaches, but his ability to navigate a muddy pocket, set protections and make adjustments to route combinations put the offense in position to have the type of success it is accustomed to having.

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. He’s a savvy veteran. For a few days, they get to enjoy that feeling. The two linebackers were all over the field, and the team benefited greatly. The defense played its part in making Ryan Tannehill look very bad (completing just 13-of-24, throwing two touchdown passes and one interception), returning a pick for a touchdown, courtesy of Rolando McClain. But outside of that the Dolphins were shut down in the passing game. Bryant had four catches for 45 yards and a touchdown in Week 11 and he will be the prime target for Romo on Thursday. Don’t count the Cowboys out in that game. Robert Turbin added 35 yards on seven carries. Stopping the rush forced Washington to be a one-dimensional offense. “I’m going to go out and play my ass off the rest of the year because I think the guy deserves it. I’m going to do everything in my power to make sure he’s here”. Riding him most of that series Dallas drove 93 yards for the score, capped off by a 31 yard touchdown pass to Terrance Williams on third and ten.

“I’ve said it all week, we’re excited to have him back”, tight end Jason Witten said. It really is going to come down to fundamentals. You got two of the ultimate playmakers right there.

“We are watching a young quarterback grow before our eyes”, Buccaneers receiver Mike Evans said.

But for as much success as Romo had out of the shotgun formation, that is also where he had his failures.

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The defensive line wasn’t as consistently disruptive as it would like to be, but when it was time for the D-line to come through and shut the Dolphins down to finish the game, it was able to register three fourth-quarter sacks and keep the Dolphins from mounting any sort of a comeback. Earlier Saturday night before kickoff, an impassioned Tony Romo stood in front of his teammates and gave a rousing speech that even got one Dez Bryant to have chills in reaction.

Andrew Innerarity-USA TODAY Sports