Tony Romo Late Winning Drive Sends Dallas to Green Bay
The fourth quarter of the Dallas Cowboys wildcard weekend win over the Detroit Lions could be a defining moment for the franchise.
The Cowboys have had a number of fine looking drives over the course of this past season, but none was more important than what took place during the fourth quarter of their 24-20 victory over the Lions.
The Cowboys were just less than 60 yards from the possible game-winning touchdown. During the first half, the distance might have seemed too far for the Cowboys due to how the Lions harried and pressured the offense of Dallas.
However, during the fourth quarter, a sense of calm could be felt, which considering quarterback Tony Romo’s past could sound quite funny.
After posting ridiculous numbers during the regular season and leading Dallas to the title in the NFC East, Romo knows what he does in these playoffs will ultimately define his NFL career.
Travis Frederick the Dallas center said that Romo entered the huddle at the start of the drive and was very direct, just as he always has been.
The big play of that drive was a 21-yard completion from Romo to tight end Jason Witten. The Cowboys were facing a fourth down and 6 on the Detroit 42. Jason Garrett the Dallas coach called timeout set up the play.
Garrett did not consider the choice to go for first down as that much of a gamble due to his trust in both Romo and Witten.
Witten has run the same route and Romo thrown the same pass hundreds of times over the 12 years they have been teammates. With Dez Bryant locked down by the Lions defense, Witten was Romo’s primary look.
With the Lions’ defense and 91,400-plus fans expecting Witten to receive the ball, he still made the big play and recorded the biggest first down of the season for Dallas.
Dallas finally was able to score on the drive with just over two minutes remaining on a Romo to Terrance Williams touchdown pass giving Dallas the 24-20 lead.
Romo said afterwards that every game is important as the next, but knowing you win or go home, makes it a bit different when you come up with the game winning play.
Romo brushed off the credit he was given for the big drive, saying it was everyone on the field at the time, the coaches on the sidelines and the support of all the players that made it happen.
The Cowboys now must prepare for Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field in one of the two NFC divisional playoffs this weekend. The weather could be one of the biggest factors in the game, and the Dallas Cowboys must prepare for the worst.
