NFC East Wrap: Tony Romo returns to lead Cowboys to win

Tony Romo received quite the welcome from Mother Nature when he took the field Sunday for his first game back after missing almost two months with a broken collarbone.

The ultimate measure of Tony Romo’s return to action was reflected by the Dallas Cowboys ending a seven-game losing streak Sunday against the Miami Dolphins.

Prediction: Cowboys win, 35-31.

The Bengals have a comfortable lead in the N.F.C. North, and remain one of the better teams in the league, but they appear on their way to following an eight-game winning streak with a two-game losing streak.

So, when Romo returned this week, he rejoined a team carrying a strict us-against-the-world mentality.

Even with all of Ross’ money that they get to spend, the front office didn’t fix one issue from last season’s team.

As for his own performance, Romo was perhaps a bit rusty, throwing two interceptions.

It was the comfort Cowboys offensive coordinator Scott Linehan had in using his entire playbook, a luxury Dallas didn’t enjoy with Matt Cassel and the now-released Brandon Weeden filling in for Romo.

FADING FAST: Tannehill said if the Dolphins want interim coach Dan Campbell back next year, they need to play better.

Romo didn’t write anything in his first tweet since suffering his injury on September 21, but the video he posted from the movie “Major League” said it all.

The Cowboys, despite their 3-7 record, are still in the playoff hunt with only six weeks left to go, but they would probably have to win out in order to make the postseason. The Dolphins tied it at 14-14 when Kenny Stills laid out to catch a 29-yard touchdown pass from Tannehill. Miami’s quarterback had a 13-24 day which was good for 188 yards overall.

“We’re excited to have him back”, said tight end and Romo pal Jason Witten. In the Cowboys’ case they headed into 2015 believed to be the NFC East frontrunners because they came within a whisker of the conference title game a year ago. They also have a daunting game at Green Bay in Week 14. For the Dolphins, they head to NY to take on the Jets next week in what will be basically a do-or-die game for them in the AFC Wild Card picture.

The game matched two last-place teams and looked it at times.

At 3-7, a playoff berth is still unlikely. While his team won, Romo was far from his best. But if you are the Cowboys, you live with it because of all the positive plays he makes.

Dallas’ defense, which was burdened with short offensive possessions and caved in fourth quarters with Romo out, only faced 41 plays Sunday and didn’t surrender a fourth-quarter point.

The defensive line wasn’t as consistently disruptive as it would like to be, but when it was time for the D-line to come through and shut the Dolphins down to finish the game, it was able to register three fourth-quarter sacks and keep the Dolphins from mounting any sort of a comeback.

It was the big-play threat Romo brings in the passing game that helped create opportunities for running back Darren McFadden, who capitalized with 129 yards on 29 carries to help Dallas close out the game.

Romo’s second interception – grabbed by rookie linebacker Neville Hewitt – also happened when he tried to avoid the pass rush. On Sunday, he hit Jarvis Landry with a perfectly lofted 47-yard pass that led to a second-quarter touchdown.