Tony Romo and the worst home openers in Dallas Cowboys history
By Shaun Church
3. Tony Romo; Sept. 20, 2009
Opponent: New York Giants
Final: Giants 33, Cowboys 31
Stats: 13-29 (44.8%), 127 yards, 1 TD, 3 INT, 29.6 rating
The first of two poor home openers for Romo, his 2009 performance was worse than Sunday’s by only a small margin. In games in which he’s attempted at least 14 passes, he has thrown for fewer than these 127 yards only twice.
If not for poor defensive play on the part of the Cowboys, this game probably would not be listed. Romo led two second-half touchdown drives to give his team the lead, including one in the fourth quarter to put Dallas up, 31-30, with under four minutes to go.
Giants quarterback Eli Manning led a 10-play, 66-yard drive taking the final 3:34 off the clock, culminating with a game-winning, 37-yard field goal from kicker Lawrence Tynes.
Where, then, does the fault lie with Romo? All three of his interceptions turned into Giants touchdowns. Dallas’ defense would not have been in position to lose it for the team on the game’s final drive if not for Romo’s three picks.