NFL Winners and Losers of Wild Card Weekend: Romo, Dalton, officials and more

Jan 3, 2015; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) and the Carolina Panthers celebrate after beating the Arizona Cardinals in the 2014 NFC Wild Card playoff football game at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 3, 2015; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) and the Carolina Panthers celebrate after beating the Arizona Cardinals in the 2014 NFC Wild Card playoff football game at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 4, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett hugs Tony Romo (9) after defeating the Detroit Lions 24-20 in the NFC Wild Card Playoff Game at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 4, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett hugs Tony Romo (9) after defeating the Detroit Lions 24-20 in the NFC Wild Card Playoff Game at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports /

Winners: Tony Romo

So the well-worn “Tony Romo is a choker” narrative is put to bed, though we can bet that it will rise up again next season as if this game (or any other solid December game) had never happened because “narrative.”

While there were some ridiculous momentum-changing calls (we’ll get there in a few slides), that shouldn’t take away from Romo’s excellently executed game. Completing 19-of-31 passes for 293 yards and a pair of touchdowns in a come-from-behind win is definitely worthy of praise, especially against a defense which played as well as any has against this offense.

The Lions defense held the Cowboys offense to 315 total yards, held DeMarco Murray to just 75 yards and essentially shut down Dez Bryant, but Romo found other options to get into the end zone.

Again, the media consciousness will conveniently forget this game next year (especially if Dallas loses in Green Bay), but this really should put the “Romo is a choker” narrative to bed.

Next: Losers: Andy Dalton