Despite a defense decimated by injuries, an O-Line that was a porous mess (and also had some injuries), and the worst rushing totals in team history...the Cowboys were STILL playing for a division title. Romo played about as well as any QB in the league down the stretch, and that is a big reason why they were still in contention at all. Dez, Spencer & Witten were 3 other players that really stepped up.
Romo undoubtedly made some bad mistakes in the Skins game. No excuses.
That said, it is indeed a team game.
I love how some detractors still like to point out the non-QB related special teams hold in Seattle as evidence that Romo is a choker, but seemingly forget the following.....
"After protecting a 20-13 lead with a stop by the defense, the Cowboys fell behind when
Terry Glenn's fumble turned into a safety and Seattle followed with a 37-yard touchdown pass from Matt Hasselbeck to
Jerramy Stevens."
Dallas lost the game 21-20...and a safety is of course worth 2 points. The D then gives up the TD to Stevens to compound things. Seattle still won the game despite Hasselbeck throwing 2 Int's that led to 6 points and Romo throwing none in his first playoff start.
Then there's this: "The Seahawks still had to get away from the shadow of their goal line to protect the victory, but did so right away with Alexander running through the middle for 20 yards. Seattle milked the clock to 8 seconds before a punt that gave Dallas one last chance from the 50."
The defense folded at the most crucial time...with the Seahawks backed up, which allowed them to kill precious time & essentially ice the game.
Romo's hold was definitely the most memorable mistake...but it certainly wasn't the only one that contributed to the loss.
The Vikings playoff game:
The O-Line and pass defense vs. Rice (and I don't mean Jerry), were flat terrible. Ray Edwards alone accounted for 3 sacks, 6 hurries, 5 tackles & forced a Romo fumble. He made Colombo look silly all day. Favre threw 4 TD's & Rice caught 3 of them for 141 yards. Romo indeed lost 2 fumbles (the other occuring when Witten was left 1-on-1 with Jared Allen after Free replaced Adams at LT), but some of that can certainly be attributed to him being pummeled the entire game.
The Giants playoff game:
"The Cowboys stuck to their slow-go game plan to open the second half, but the mistakes began biting them.
A dropped pass in the end zone and false start forced Dallas to kick a field goal after a drive that burned the first 8:07 of the third quarter."
Dallas lost the game by 4 points...points which that drop in the end zone would have accounted for vs. settling for a field goal, after a drive that consumed over half of the 3rd quarter.
Then there was Crayton essentially giving up on the pass in the end zone in the 4th as well...just a few plays ahead of Romo's Int.
Pointing out Romo's mistakes is fine. But some 'conveniently' seem to forget to look at his 'teammates' as well, who have certainly made their share of costly mistakes.
oh brother
