Football: Romo, resurgent Cowboys thinking playoffs
Tom Orsborn
Express-News Staff Writer
IRVING — Jerry Jones is as surprised as anyone at his team's resurgence.
Five weeks ago, Dallas Cowboys coach Bill Parcells benched Drew Bledsoe at halftime against the New York Giants and replaced him with Tony Romo.
Rather than sing hosannas about the move, Jones wondered what kind of hellish future was in store for his team.
"I saw a dark cloud," Jones said, recalling how he felt after the Giants intercepted Romo three times en route to a 36-22 victory Oct. 23. "And when I start seeing a little dark, something's wrong because I (always) see bright lights."
But instead of floundering, Dallas has flourished with Romo in the huddle. So much so that Jones is once again hinting at a possible Super Bowl run.
"This is the best we've played this year," Jones said of the Cowboys' victories over Indianapolis and Tampa Bay in the last five days. "And frankly, these back-to-back wins are the best we've looked in 10 years. This is a championship effort."
Although nobody else in the organization is ready to engage in title talk, there's no denying the Cowboys (7-4) are positioned to gain their first playoff berth since 2003. It's a stunning turnaround considering they were a disappointing 3-3 after losing to the Giants.
With five games left, Dallas' victory total is second only to Chicago (9-1) in the NFC. More importantly, the Cowboys' confidence is soaring after winning four of their last five games and three straight.
"I have always felt like you don't really have genuine confidence unless you demonstrate the ability to do something," Parcells said. "Recently, we are starting to demonstrate the ability."
So much so that Dallas could even be favored when it faces the Giants (6-4) on Dec. 3 in East Rutherford, N.J. The Cowboys hold a half-game lead over the stumbling, injury-depleted Giants, who face Vince Young's Tennessee Titans (3-7) on Sunday.
"I'm looking forward to the next one, and I'm sure the players are, too," Parcells said. "We are going to be in it for a little while, the race."
Romo is the main reason. In his five starts, he's completed 107 of 153 passes for 1,394 yards, 10 touchdowns and two interceptions for an impressive 115.8 quarterback rating.
Even more startling are his numbers after halftime in the last three games: 29 of 31 for 409 yards, three TDs and a 151.0 QB rating, an incompletion away from a perfect 153.3. For the season, Romo has a league-best 110.8 passer rating.
In Thursday's 38-10 victory over Tampa Bay, Romo tied the franchise record for most TD passes in a game with five. He completed 22 of 29 for 306 yards as the Cowboys amassed season highs in yards (435) and first downs (27).
And for the fourth time this season and the third time in the last four games, Dallas did not commit a turnover, a testament to Romo's game-management skills.
"His intelligence is off the charts, and that's shown in how he's managed this team and the people on this team," Jones said. "He's managed all the moving parts we've had and put us in position for the last month."
The defense also has done its part, giving up only four TDs in the last three games. On Thursday, it held the Buccaneers to 10 first downs, a season-low for Dallas.
Safety Roy Williams and linebacker Akin Ayodele led the way with an interception apiece. Williams' pick was his team-best fifth, tying his single-season career high set in his rookie season of 2002. He is tied for the league lead in takeaways with seven.
"To be a pretty great defense, you've got to stop the run, eliminate big plays and get some turnovers, and that's what we are doing," said linebacker Bradie James, who led the Cowboys with eight tackles against Tampa Bay.
Express-News Staff Writer
IRVING — Jerry Jones is as surprised as anyone at his team's resurgence.
Five weeks ago, Dallas Cowboys coach Bill Parcells benched Drew Bledsoe at halftime against the New York Giants and replaced him with Tony Romo.
Rather than sing hosannas about the move, Jones wondered what kind of hellish future was in store for his team.
"I saw a dark cloud," Jones said, recalling how he felt after the Giants intercepted Romo three times en route to a 36-22 victory Oct. 23. "And when I start seeing a little dark, something's wrong because I (always) see bright lights."
But instead of floundering, Dallas has flourished with Romo in the huddle. So much so that Jones is once again hinting at a possible Super Bowl run.
"This is the best we've played this year," Jones said of the Cowboys' victories over Indianapolis and Tampa Bay in the last five days. "And frankly, these back-to-back wins are the best we've looked in 10 years. This is a championship effort."
Although nobody else in the organization is ready to engage in title talk, there's no denying the Cowboys (7-4) are positioned to gain their first playoff berth since 2003. It's a stunning turnaround considering they were a disappointing 3-3 after losing to the Giants.
With five games left, Dallas' victory total is second only to Chicago (9-1) in the NFC. More importantly, the Cowboys' confidence is soaring after winning four of their last five games and three straight.
"I have always felt like you don't really have genuine confidence unless you demonstrate the ability to do something," Parcells said. "Recently, we are starting to demonstrate the ability."
So much so that Dallas could even be favored when it faces the Giants (6-4) on Dec. 3 in East Rutherford, N.J. The Cowboys hold a half-game lead over the stumbling, injury-depleted Giants, who face Vince Young's Tennessee Titans (3-7) on Sunday.
"I'm looking forward to the next one, and I'm sure the players are, too," Parcells said. "We are going to be in it for a little while, the race."
Romo is the main reason. In his five starts, he's completed 107 of 153 passes for 1,394 yards, 10 touchdowns and two interceptions for an impressive 115.8 quarterback rating.
Even more startling are his numbers after halftime in the last three games: 29 of 31 for 409 yards, three TDs and a 151.0 QB rating, an incompletion away from a perfect 153.3. For the season, Romo has a league-best 110.8 passer rating.
In Thursday's 38-10 victory over Tampa Bay, Romo tied the franchise record for most TD passes in a game with five. He completed 22 of 29 for 306 yards as the Cowboys amassed season highs in yards (435) and first downs (27).
And for the fourth time this season and the third time in the last four games, Dallas did not commit a turnover, a testament to Romo's game-management skills.
"His intelligence is off the charts, and that's shown in how he's managed this team and the people on this team," Jones said. "He's managed all the moving parts we've had and put us in position for the last month."
The defense also has done its part, giving up only four TDs in the last three games. On Thursday, it held the Buccaneers to 10 first downs, a season-low for Dallas.
Safety Roy Williams and linebacker Akin Ayodele led the way with an interception apiece. Williams' pick was his team-best fifth, tying his single-season career high set in his rookie season of 2002. He is tied for the league lead in takeaways with seven.
"To be a pretty great defense, you've got to stop the run, eliminate big plays and get some turnovers, and that's what we are doing," said linebacker Bradie James, who led the Cowboys with eight tackles against Tampa Bay.
posted by The Gryphon at 9:13 AM
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