All the hype and expectations for the 2015 Dallas Cowboys
season was fading pretty quick Sunday night. With less than two minutes left in
the game, the New York Football Giants held a 23-20 lead and was driving to the
end-zone. The Cowboys lost their All-Pro receiver to a foot injury and the
offense couldn’t execute when it mattered most. A 0-1 start was facing the
Super Bowl contending Dallas Cowboys.
Then football happened.
After the New York Giants decide to go for a pass on third
down and miss, they settled for a field goal. It left the Cowboys with just a
minute and 29 seconds on the clock, with 72 yards to get into the end-zone.
Then Romo-magic happened once more.
On the final drive, Romo completed five-out of-six passes
including the game-winning touchdown pass to veteran tight-end Jason Witten. It
was vintage Romo. With 11 yards to go, Romo has to quickly pick up a snap that
hits the ground, looks down towards Witten who was streaking across the
goal-line. Romo fires the ball right between the numbers as Witten makes a
nifty move to push off the linebacker.
Touchdown!
“You gotta have poise in random situations,” Romo said.
It shouldn’t have come to that. The game was a hot mess for
the Cowboys all night long. Too many times did we see the running backs not hit
their holes right or pick up the extra-few yards. Too many times did receivers
drop perfect passes and let the ball carelessly fall into the Giant’s hands.
The Cowboys dominated this game in all statistical categories except for
turnovers and for most of the game, the scoreboard.
Now with receiver Dez Bryant out for possibly the next five
games, the Cowboys have to really step it up on the offensive end. Once they
play more challenging opponents, it will be crucial that they execute.
But even with all the negatives in the game, there was one
shining example that showed as long as Romo is quarterback, the Cowboys have a
chance.
He finished 36-of-45 for 365 yards and three touchdowns. He
completed 80 percent of his passes and added another storybook finish to his
resume. Romo a choker? Not even. This man has shown us time and time again he
is one of the best damn quarterbacks in the game. If you lead your team on two
touchdown drives to get back the lead without your top-receiver, you have to be
great.
While the offense tinkers for next week, let’s all take a
second to embrace number 9. We are all witnessing something truly special. We
should all take a cue from Witten, Romo’s best friend since 2003, who had some
words for him after the game-winning throw-and-catch.
“We were full of emotions, I think there were a couple of I
love yous in there,” Witten said.
Well said Witten.
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