But the 24-14 victory over the Dolphins surely made it seem like he did.
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The Dallas Cowboys and the Miami Dolphins will clash on Sunday in Week 11 of the National Football League 2015 regular season, and this is a game neither side dares to lose if they want to remain relevant to the postseason. Romo was picked off twice on the day, once in each half, and an undisciplined excessive celebration penalty set up the Dolphins first touchdown, but each time adversity struck, the Cowboys responded, and it’s hard to give credit for that to anyone but Tony Romo for his leadership and poise.
Tony Romo is back… and so are the Dallas Cowboys.
Romo completed his first pass attempt of the game, a left-handed shot put throw from the end zone to avoid a sack and pick up 9 yards. Without him, they lost the seven straight. “We know they’re talented”, said Dolphins player Brent Grimes.
If Romo can help the Cowboys end the Panthers’ winning streak, then Cowboy fans may have something to get excited about. Romo turned it into a 31-yard touchdown strike to Terrance Williams to open up a two-touchdown lead. Although McClain was two shy of that mark, he was certainly Dallas’ defensive MVP in this game. Dallas’ defense scored a touchdown – on middle linebacker Rolando McClain’s 12-yard interception return – and gave up just two. Romo was a bit rusty on Sunday – two bad-decision interceptions – but he figures to get better as the season progresses, barring another injury. The presence of Tony Romo makes your running game more threatening for three reasons. “That’s why it’s the NFL”. Romo spotted that Miami had assigned linebacker Neville Hewitt – an undrafted rookie free agent making his first National Football League start – to cover wide receiver Dez Bryant in the slot.
Romo soon settled down and showed his characteristic creativity. “I did practice that about seven or eight years ago, so I was ready for it”.
“(Romo) opened up the playbook for us”, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said.
The Cowboys are now 3-7, which would seemingly bury them in the NFC East. But given the poor play of the other division teams, Dallas is still very much alive for the playoffs.
Turbin said coach Jason Garrett told him he had to learn quickly and that he would probably play ahead of backups Rod Smith and Trey Williams. “He has been for a long time”.
Darren McFadden provided offensive balance by rushing for 129 yards. He has 38 yards, five carries, no touchdowns. That is not good enough.
His tenacity spills over into all facets of the team, and it helps explain how the Cowboys, who haven’t won in a couple of months, turned a tight fourth-quarter game into a comfortable win.
Former Texans quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick passed for 216 yards, including a 21-yard strike to Brandon Marshall in the third quarter that pulled the Jets (5-5) even at 10-10. Their loss reduced the chances interim coach Dan Campbell will be back next year.
“I’ve got to do a better job of holding these guys accountable in practice”, he said.
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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. Nine penalties for 74 yards. Miami went on to score with 16 seconds left.
