News: BR: Tony Romo Has Not Only Been the Best Version of Himself, He Might Be the NFL MVP

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IRVING, Texas — When Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo shockingly promised at the beginning of training camp that he would be the best version of himself in 2014 and beyond, he was met with a few eye rolls and definite snickers.

He was 34 years old. He was coming off a second back surgery in as many seasons. And he wasn't even a full go for training camp.

With owner Jerry Jones still crying at the time about the team's decision to pass on Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel in the 2014 NFL draft last May, it all seemed a little forced—false confidence even.

Well, 14 games into the 2014 season nobody is laughing at Romo now.

With 28 touchdowns and eight interceptions, he is indeed playing the best football of his career in leading the Cowboys to a 10-4 record and first place in the NFC East.

And if the Cowboys win their final two games of the season, open your mind to this previously considered preposterous thought: Romo for NFL Most Valuable Player.

Now they must win out, starting Sunday against the Indianapolis Colts at 3 p.m. at AT&T Stadium and then finishing at the Washington Commanders Dec. 28.

But a 12-4 Cowboys team, armed with a division title and at least the second best record in the NFL, makes Romo as viable a MVP candidate as anyone. That includes Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers, New England quarterback Tom Brady, Denver quarterback Peyton Manning and Cowboys running back and teammate DeMarco Murray.

Romo ranks second in the NFL with a career-best passer rating at 110.5, just behind Rodgers (111.3), the MVP front-runner who has fallen back into the pack in recent weeks. Romo's completion percentage of 69.3 is second in the league behind New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees.

Wonder what outcry would be if Tony Romo went 17-of-42 with 2 Ints in December game way Aaron Rodgers just did?

— David Moore (@DavidMooreDMN) December 14, 2014​

Now the biggest hurdle to Romo's candidacy would seem to be Murray, who was actually the NFL MVP at the midpoint of the season when he set a league record with eight straight 100-yard games to open 2014.

But Murray is no longer on a 2,000-yard pace and could possibly miss Sunday's game against the Colts with a fractured bone in his hand. He will be limited even if he does play.

A Cowboys’ win Sunday would only strengthen Romo’s case.

Still, Murray's having a fantastic season. He is likely a shoo-in for the NFL rushing title. His 1,687 yards are 409 yards ahead of No. 2 Pittsburgh Steeler Le'veon Bell's 1,278.

Murray is just 86 yards away from surpassing Hall of Famer Emmitt Smith's franchise record of 1,773 rushing yards in a season.

His season for the ages is definitely worthy of a league-wide award. So give him the NFL Offensive Player of the Year.

But when it comes to MVP of the Cowboys and possibly the league, the choice might have to be Romo.

He has battled through a surgically repaired back, two fractures in his back and torn rib cartilage to lead the Cowboys to playoff and possible Super Bowl contention.

When he's been healthy and rested, the Cowboys have not lost.

The Cowboys are the only team in the league with a perfect 7-0 mark on the road. Every other team has at least two losses.

Now consider that Romo has an 18-to-1 touchdown-to-interception ratio and a quarterback rating of 125.7 in those seven road games.

Even more impressive: Romo is the first quarterback in NFL history to have at least three touchdown passes and no interceptions in four straight road games, per Elias, as ESPN's Adam Schefter tweeted after Sunday's win against the Eagles.

Tony Romo is first player in NFL history with four straight road games of 3 passing TDs and no INTs, per Elias.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 15, 2014​

That includes the last two victories against the Chicago Bears and Philadelphia Eagles in which he was a combined 43-of-56 for 470 yards with six touchdowns, no interceptions and a quarterback rating of 133.5.

Yes, I know all of this is hard to fathom, and it doesn't jive with Romo's reputation as a choke artist, nor the narrative that he plays his worst when it matters most.

The past December failures and January swoons are still etched in everyone's mind.

But just allow yourself to consider the possibility. And replace the eye rolls with a drum roll.

If the Cowboys win out with a 4-0 mark in December to claim the NFC East title and put Romo in the crosshairs of a legitimate run to the Super Bowl, he must be at the forefront of the MVP conversation.




Clarence Hill covers the Cowboys for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. All quotations obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted.

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