Several of those SB winning teams you mentioned had defenses that could apply pressure to the QB, force turnovers and make critical stops. NO won their SB by picking off Peyton Manning for a pick-six when the game was on the line. Both the Giants SB wins were aided by containing Tom Brady and the Pats high powered offense. Both the Steelers SB wins under Roethlisberger were aided by #1 defenses and forcing turnovers. The offenses of those SB winning teams leaned on the passing game which is why you can name those QBs with several being named SB MVP's. The Cowboys have never had a defense under Romo they can depend on to make critical stops and win games which has put a lot of pressure on him to have to carry the team. Not having a solid defense or a consistent running game is what led to those three straight 8-8 seasons. If you put too much on Romo to have to win games he presses like he did against Carolina and it leads to turnovers.
He had the most efficient season of his career last year due to having a solid running game that took pressure off him and the defense. Controlling the ball with the running game kept the defense off the field an average of 13 fewer plays than the previous season and it led to Romo having a career low in pass attempts. Romo can only carry the Cowboys so far before the floor caves in. He plays his best when he's not having to do too much. He knew how dependent the team is on him and he clearly pressed against Carolina which led to a miserable performance and the re-injuring of his shoulder. The Cowboys have never won a championship without an elite runner in their backfield. Romo needs a solid, consistent running game for him to be the best QB he can be.
Romo actually had more first half pass attempts in 2014 than he had the previous season. Because of an improved passing game, running game, and defense, Dallas had more second-half leads and Romo threw much, much fewer passes in the second half than he had the previous year.
And much of what made 2014 Romo's best season ever came from targets of
less than 10 yards. In other words, when you look at what separated Romo's best season (2014) from his 2nd-best season (2011), it isn't downfield passing. It's the targets within 10 yards of the LOS, mostly to Beasley and Murray.
Romo's best year of intermediate-to-deep passing was not when Murray had 1,800 yards. It was when he was throwing to Bryant, Robinson, and Austin, and Murray had 900 yards.
Romo's pass rating on 10+ yard targets
2011 123.2
2014 119.7
less than 10 yards
2011 99.5
2014 110.5
