Tony Romo's triumphant return vs. Dolphins keeps Cowboys' hopes alive
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — Tony Romo received quite the welcome from Mother Nature when he took the field Sunday for his first game back after missing nearly two months with a broken collarbone.
The skies opened up for a downpour.
What a fitting reminder that the Dallas Cowboys' season has been under water without the star quarterback.
By the end of the day at Sun Life Stadium, though, the sun was out — especially on the Cowboys’ hopes for salvaging their season.
Romo demonstrated what’s been missing, passing for 227 yards and firing two touchdown passes in a 24-14 victory over the Miami Dolphins that snapped Dallas’ seven-game losing streak. And just like that, the Cowboys are officially back in the NFL’s playoff race, even with a 3-7 record and the slim margin for error that will exist down the stretch.
Remember, they play in the NFC East, which means they are a mere two games out of first place. And two divisional foes, the Philadelphia Eagles and Washington Redskins, were blown out Sunday.
Yes, sometimes it’s better to be more lucky than good.
Romo was both in his comeback performance. He was a bit rusty at times, evidenced by his two interceptions. But Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill was spotty, too. Tannehill threw the pass that resulted in the game’s first touchdown, an interception that Dallas linebacker Rolando McClain ran back 12 yards in the second quarter.
The early cushion took some of the pressure off Romo, who then led a 93-yard drive that was jump-started by a Miami penalty that wiped out the sack that would have sealed a three-and-out.
Throughout the game, though, Romo made enough plays with his legs, instincts and acumen to prove how much of a difference he embodies. He avoided what might have been a safety on the first drive by flipping the football with his left hand to Darren McFadden. He made a big throw on the a 31-yard TD pass to Terence Williams. And on several occasions, he bought time and created.
It was hardly perfect, and Romo absorbed a few hits that at least showed that his fractured collarbone is well enough. He survived Ndamukong Suh, which is never automatic.
Still, as important as the victory was for the Cowboys — who failed to score a touchdown in three of the seven games without Romo — it was just one game. Next up, the undefeated Carolina Panthers on Thanksgiving.
Romo knows the challenge. Early last week, he posted a video on his Twitter account with a revealing snipped from the hilariously classic sports film, Major League, which underscored that fictional baseball team’s mission to rise from the ashes to win a championship.
The Cowboys have been a comedy in their own right this season. But at least it’s not over yet, with Romo providing a puncher’s chance.
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Follow NFL columnist Jarrett Bell on Twitter @JarrettBell
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