Dallas Cowboys quarterback showed his toughness and leadership skills as he willed the Cowboys to a victory in an injury-marred and error-filled game against division rival Washington. Romo was wearing a Kevlar vest to protect his ribs. He broke a rib and punctured a lung in last week’s game against San Francisco but still returned to close out that game and was ready to go this week.
When the smoke cleared on Monday Night Football, the Cowboys won 18-16 on six field goals by Dan Bailey, who set a rookie record in for Cowboys regular kicker David Buehler, who was out with a groin injury. Bailey set a rookie record going 6 for 6 on FG attempts, including the game winner with 1:47 left in the fourth quarter.
The game included just a single touchdown, a 1-yard pass from Rex Grossman to Tim Hightower, and nine field goals.
The game also featured a lot of sloppy plays, including 2 turnovers by each team and several mis-snaps by Dallas center Phil Costa who seemed to be unable to hear the snap count whenever Romo was in the shotgun. Costa was another one of the Cowboys walking wounded, as he played through a knee injury.
There were also several miscommunications between the quarterback and receivers, as Romo was without top WR Miles Austin, who suffered a hamstring injury last week. WR Dez Bryant played this week despite a thigh injury.
Romo finished the game 22 of 36 for 255 yards and 1 INT, but was able to move the Cowboys effectively enough to set up the game winning field goal. Cowboys running back Felix Jones finished with 115 yards rushing on just 14 carries, and 50 yards receiving.
Rex Grossman finished with 250 yards passing, 1 TD and 1 INT for the Redskins.
After the game, Romo said, “We’re lucky to come out of here with a win, with as many mistakes as we made.”
Asked about what he went through in preparation for the game, with the rib injury and the Kevlar vest, Romo responded, “This is a team win. I’m not doing anything different than Jason Witten, Dez Bryant, 15 other guys out here.”
