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Over the next several weeks before training camp, let's relive some of Tony Romo's best comeback stories. Here's another overtime thriller between the Cowboys-Commanders back in 2011.
[In the ten seasons that Tony Romo has been the starting quarterback, he's engineered some great fourth-quarter heroics to bring the Cowboys to victories. Since 2006, no quarterback has had more fourth-quarter comeback victories, 25 to be exact, than Tony Romo. His passer rating in the final quarter of football is an astounding 102.9, five points higher than the number two guy (Aaron Rodgers). Romo also holds the mantle of most game-winning drives among active quarterbacks (29) as well as passer rating in the final two minutes (93.1).
Over the next several weeks before the team heads out to Oxnard and starts it all up again, I thought we could take some time to look back at Mr. Clutch Quarterback himself. We're going to rank all of his comeback tales from good to great, from awesome to completely amazing. Here's looking at you, Mr. Romo.]
15. A Late-Game Season Sweep Of The Commanders (Nov. 20th, 2011)
Having already kicked their way to an early season victory on Monday Night Football, these were two teams going in opposite directions. The Commanders were 3-6 as the Cowboys were just over .500 at 5-4 on the season and looking to stay afloat with the Giants for the NFC East crown. However, as it often is in the NFC East, records seldom matter as this one was another close call.
The first possession for the Cowboys went as it often does, a three and out. Washington on their own 24-yard line were facing a 3rd and 6. Rex Grossman tossed a 3-yarder to Fred Davis but Gerald Sensabaugh forced the fumble and the Cowboys were back on offense.
Romo wasted no time after two plays, he finds Dez Bryant in the corner of the end zone and just like that, the Cowboys are up 7-0. The next two possessions for each team stall with penalties and incomplete passes. The next Cowboys' drive is aided by a defensive holding and intermediate passes to Laurent Robinson, Dez Bryant, and Jesse Holley. Yet, when it's time to punch one in, the Cowboys are forced to kick a 37-yard field goal, which Dan Bailey easily makes. Dallas is up 10-0 with 10:28 in the half to play.
The Commanders looking to finally get on the board are putting together a good drive with the help of Jabar Gaffney but on 3rd and 1, Grossman tucks and runs only to meet Anthony Spencer who forces another fumble which Barry Church recovers. Dallas can't get anything going and Washington will get one more shot before the half to make it count after Mat McBriar's punt only goes 23 yards. On 3rd and 7 from the Dallas 29, Grossman finds David Anderson for 23 yards and Grossman sneaks it left for the touchdown. It's 10-7 Cowboys with 3:55 left in the half.
Dallas comes back out in hopes to get a few first downs and maybe a chance to score before the half. However, Washington plays well on defense and uses their timeouts to get the ball just inside the two-minute warning. The Cowboys' special teams unit continues to struggle as McBriar punts for 53 yards but it is returned by Brandon Banks for 32-yards with 1:41 left.
Grossman is aided by a defensive holding on Terence Newman and three plays later, Grossman finds Gaffney for a 16-yard touchdown and the Commanders goes up 14-10 at the half.
Washington gets the ball after the half and drive it down the field but can't punch it in. Instead, they settle for a Graham Gano field goal and the lead is 17-10 Commanders. The next Cowboys' drive ends with terrible protection from the offensive line as both Stephen Bowen and London Fletcher sack Tony Romo. To make matters worse, the Cowboys punt and give up a 55-yard return by Banks. Thankfully, the Washington offense stalls and Gano misses a 49-yard field goal from the Dallas 31.
On Dallas' ensuing drive, Romo is back at work moving the Cowboys down the field with ease (and better protection). With help from Robinson, Bryant, and DeMarco Murray, Romo is able to get the Cowboys down the Washington 7. Romo finds Robinson in the end zone and Bailey ties the game at 17.
Washington's first drive of the fourth quarter is stalled by their own penalties and incompletions. Sam Rocca punts the ball back to the Cowboys' who begin this drive with 11 minutes left to play. Romo connects with Kevin Ogletree and Martellus Bennett on back-to-back intermediate passes. On 3rd and 8 from their own 41, Romo finds Jason Witten for 59-yards and a touchdown to take the lead 24-17.
After the Cowboys fail to take advantage of a Grossman interception from Orlando Scandrick, the Commanders get the ball back with 5:35 left to play. Grossman leads his team on a 13-play drive with 88 yards passing as the Cowboys secondary is getting torched. With 22 seconds left, Grossman connects with Dante Stallworth for 4 yards and the score to send this game to overtime.
The Commanders win the toss and proceed to easily get the ball back into Dallas territory. On 3rd and 7 from the Dallas-33, Victor Butler sacks Grossman and Gano comes out to win the game. His 52-yarder is wide right and the Cowboys have a shot.
Romo finds Bennett for 14 yards and three plays later connects with Dez for 26 yards on a 3rd and 15. Murray runs right then left for only 2 yards. They send Dan Bailey out and he knocks down a 39-yard field goal for the win 27-24.
Dallas improved to 6-4 while the Commanders went to 3-7 on the season. Dallas would only win two more games and lose the division to the eventual Super Bowl champion New York Giants.
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