Last weekend, the Dallas Cowboys beat the 4-1 Atlanta Falcons rather convincely. Before the game, you have your normal mix of pundits who believe the Falcons will win, or those who believe that the Cowboys will somehow scrape together a victory. Mixed in with these prognostications are commentary, and a favorite of some is, "Tony Romo has never won a big game."
What constitutes a big game? I think most people would acknowledge a playoff game as such. Manning had several playoff victories under his belt but was still saddled with the "Can't win a big game." because like everyone else in the league, he and the Colts were unable to beat the Patriots.
So that brings us to Tony Romo. He took over as the Cowboys quarterback on October 23, 2006. While he struggled to bring the Cowboys back against the Giants, he played well against good teams like Carolina and Washington. Then came what most rational people would consider a big game. Undefeated Indianapolis comes to Dallas and Romo plays a conservative, but effective game to beat the Colts 21 to 14. OBVIOUSLY that wasn't a big game since Romo has yet to win a big game.
On December 3, 2006, Romo and the Cowboys play the Giants in New York in a game that very well may decide the division title. The Cowboys beat the Giants 23 to 20. Again, not a big game for the aforementioned reason.
Admittedly, the Cowboys lost to the Saints and then later the Seahawks, but the whole team played horribly against the Saints, and if Terry Glenn didn't fumble into the Cowboys endzone for a safety, or an overturned first down, the game would have ended under different circumstances. Romo obviously was wholly culpable for those losses.
On September 23, 2009, the 2-0 Dallas Cowboys play the 2-0 defending NFC Champion Chicago Bears. It was this game that eventually forced Grossman to the bench and the Cowboys not only beat the Bears, but they broke them. The Bears suffered so many injuries, they weren't the same team for the remainder of the season. Admittedly it was way too early in the season to be considered a big game, but it was a game between two teams projected to be the class of the NFC.
In a clash between two undefeated teams, the Patriots were simply and offensive juggernauts. Undoubtably, Romo playing safety for the Cowboys was a mistake. Maybe if he only played on offense, he would have been more productive.
In what can only be considered a small game against the Green Bay Packers to man the reigns for home field advantage in the playoffs, the Cowboys knock Brett Farve out of the game, and Romo outplays both Farve and Rodgers. But in no way was this a big game, with significant playoff implications involved.
Admittedly, the Cowboys lost to the Giants in the playoffs. So did the Packers and the Patriots, the greatest team to not win a Super Bowl. Romo was obviously responsible for all three of those losses... somehow. If the defense could tackle Toomer who was covered in grease, or if they would stop a 70 yard drive in less than 48 seconds before the half, or Crayton would catch a first down pass (which had the potential for a TD), maybe the game would have ended under different circumstances.
In 2008, there were few big games. Early victories were unimpressive and against teams that eventually had poor seasons. Late in the season, they played 3 of four conference championship participants and they went 0-3. Of course, Romo was responsible for the the lack of passing protection, the poor running game, the myriad of injuries, the questionable route running, and of course the malcontent veterans.
And in 2009, just minutes before the Cowboys played the Falcons, commentators bring out old faithful, "Romo has never won a big game." That is true. A team wins a big game. More importantly, what is a big game? With "a big game" being subject to such a subjective criteria, Romo will never win a big game. It seems as allusive as a greased pig. Just when you think you have it in your grasp, people decide, "That wasn't a big game." Romo has played in about 10 big games that weren't (winning several).
Romo will never win a big game, because those who comment on the game will keep changing the rules until he wins the inarguable big game, the Super Bowl.
Daniella Sarahyba
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Comments (9) Add A Comment
well written... and a lot of good points. however, i don't think romo has to win a super bowl to get the tag of "not being able to win big games" off his back. i think a playoff win for dallas would silence many of his tough critics. let's hope the team can accomplish this goal, this year. if they do not, unfortunately, romo will be the one to continue to hear this for another long year.
DallasFan77
Tyler, TX
Total Comments (866)
C'mon, when has Romo won a game of significance against a good team in December or January?
He was sub-par at best in his two playoff losses, twice while his D held the opponent to 21 points.
Just look at his numbers after November, they significantly decrease
Late in the year Romo has yet to prove his status of being unclutch false. Will he do it this season, who knows?
I'm sure Romo will win a few playoff games in his career, but you have to be a homer to consider Romo anything but unclutch in big games, especially late in the year/postseason
NYGiants: Get Your…
Rockville Centre , NY
Total Comments (4222)
Not sure any playoff win will do. The real key to getting rid of this tag would be to win a close game when it matters by driving down the field. Romo almost did this his first season playing but then the bad field goal at the end of the game created the tag. Had he won that game he wouldn't have the tag at all. However he has a record now of falling short when it matters or blowing the game. I'm not saying he will never get over this but he needs more then just winning a playoff game to get rid of the tag.
Nemesis099
Total Comments (286)
SLight problem here; "i think a playoff win for dallas would silence many of his tough critics", the playoff WIN will precede another playoff game, AND if he loses then he will have "choked" in another big game (bigger in most opinions) so to end this the Superbowl is his only option. I still see S Young pulling the monkey off his back in the lockerroom after the SF Superbowl win...its funny not but I bet Steve did not think it was funny before that win....
Good post by JD, naturally some NY fans in disagreement, this post is an opinion, not a fact finding mission...nuf said.
+40yrCowboyFan
Total Comments (3674)
This is funny, letting the opposition score 21 in a playoff game is barely doing your job. 10 points, yeah that is good work but 21? Not so much.
+40yrCowboyFan
Total Comments (3674)
Thats the crap part..everyone's hounding the Cowboys to get into the playoffs and then if and when ;) they do and if they dont make it to the SB itll be all on Romo AGAIN, and thats just not cool..he made mistakes but if the D and O didnt make those mistakes in those "big games" this wouldnt be an issuse..of course Romo fumbles and freaks sometimes but when hes on hes on, he moves outta the pocket well and can even shake and bake the opponents very good. I was very happy how he played against ATL, it showed hes not out yet but the key is the TEAM playing well together, WHEN they play well together I think they are unstoppable.
WOOHOO ON D-WARE GETTING HIS MOOLLAHH!!!
now get those sacks!
*Your Cowboy homer
LOVERnottaFIGHTER
Total Comments (6484)
I disagree that the critics will ever stop. They find a bone and they just keep chewing until they break a tooth. After Marty Schottenheimer was fired after the Chargers 2nd round ousting by the Patriots, Turner came in as coach and the Chargers won their first round playoff game. Commenators said that the win kinda doesn't count becuase they were in the 2nd round of the playoffs the week before and to justify Schot being fire, they had to win their second round playoff game.
While I don't doubt the rationale of the above thesis, there isn't a single person at ESPN that will give credit to the Cowboys for having been in the 2nd round of the playoffs and give them a defacto "win" in the same.
jdramirez
Mechanicsburg, PA
Total Comments (1304)
I don't think you are watching the games. The Giants dominated the line of scrimmage and more often than not, Romo was scrambling for his life. Tell me of one other QB that has had success in similar circumstances. Also, Romo didn't play poorly, but there were a combination of drops, fumbles, and a less than incredible running game that contributed to those losses.
Also, Romo didn't have an interception in either playoff game until the last 6 seconds against the Giants. That play was on fourth down with no timeouts remaining and was tantamount to a hail mary throw. Save for Brett Farve, not too many QB's have success under those circumstances.
I'm 98% sure that I won't change you mind regardless of what I write, but Romo has been the best player for the Cowboys in those games.
jdramirez
Mechanicsburg, PA
Total Comments (1304)
Young only had to contend with the ghost of Montana. Romo has both Aikman and Staubach to contend with. Heck, even Danny White and Dandy Don Meredith are held in a higher regard than Romo. I think it would help Romo if they replayed games on the NFL network when the Qb's suffered and threw 4 picks a piece. All that is replayed though are the Super Bowl runs.
jdramirez
Mechanicsburg, PA
Total Comments (1304)
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