The Usual Suspect

It’s difficult to get down on a guy who threw for over 500 yards.  Somewhat. Cowboys fans are accustomed to performances such as this, where disappointing finishes come usually at the hands–or arm–of the person who carried them for 58-plus minutes of a near victory.  Tony Romo is a stats collector’s dream, a solid fantasy roster producer, and seemingly nice guy.  His inability to close the deal in big moments make him a sort of “Most Interesting Man in Football”, as we can almost hear him expel “I don’t usually fumble or throw interceptions, but when I do…it’s at the end of a game.”

The Broncos and Cowboys put on a show, treating fans to the best game of the week hands-down.  Denver rolled into Big D with their robotic offensive machine and didn’t let down, but the Cowboys gave them a run for their money. For the Cowboys, Tony Romo had the best game of his career as he narrowly outplayed Peyton Manning and matched him round-for-round, but once again the late interception reared it’s ugly head.  In Dallas, the anticipatory  stomach-churning feeling one gets near the end of a close game is called “Waiting for the Ro-ment”. When it transpires, naturally it brings no relief.

With the game tied at 48, Romo had the opportunity to put a significant stamp on the youngish season with a game-winning drive, but the Broncos Danny Trevathon came up with the interception off the ill-advised throw in Dallas territory.

After taking over the ball with just minutes to go, the Broncos were able to get a first down and run down the clock to set up the game-ending field goal to win it 51-48. The Cowboys weren’t expected to be in the game so late, and they weren’t expected to score 48 points, so it’s an accomplishment of sorts.  A bigger accomplishment however would be learning to break their habit of choking away opportunities to win or close out big games.

Romo finished the 99-point game with 506 yards, five touchdowns and the one, well, you know. Manning countered with 414 yards, four TDs and one interception of his own.  Well, nobody’s perfect. It’s just…the usual.