It’s been a pretty bizarre season for the Dallas Cowboys. In addition to the Greg Hardy domestic violence scandal, and Dez Bryant’s scuffles with the media, the results on the field have been disappointing, to say the least. At 3-8, the Dallas Cowboys are tied for the worst record in the NFC, and their starting quarterback, Tony Romo, has a serious injury. But they’re putting Romo on the Injury Report. The reason? They are confident that the face of their franchise can make a playoff return.
Yes, they have to make it to the playoffs first. But don’t laugh just yet. Despite their awful record, the Cowboys are lucky to play in the NFC East, by far the league’s worst division. Next Monday, they will play division-leading Washington Redskins. In fact, if they beat Washington and the New York Giants lose to the New York Jets, only one game would separate them from the first place. With four games still to be played, it will be difficult but possible to play the postseason.
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What happened to the Cowboys, a team that won a playoff game last season and was one controversial (but correct) call shy of beating the Green Bay Packers and making it to the Conference Finals? Injuries. Antonio Ramiro Romo’s injuries, to be more specific.
In just the second week of the season, a victory against the Eagles (after an opening game win against the Giants), Romo broke his collarbone. After missing eight weeks (seven games), the QB returned despite the high chances of re-injury. He led a victory at Miami, and then the worst case scenario came to life on Thanksgiving Day, during a loss to the still-unbeaten Carolina Panthers. Recovery time from this last injury is set at six to eight weeks, which could have him on the field for a possible wild-card game or a conference championship game.
In all truth, a loss at Washington would practically eliminate them from contention and all this drama will be forgotten. This season is almost over, and unless a couple miracles occur, the Dallas Cowboys won’t be playing the post-season. The question now is for the long term. Jerry Jones, the omnipresent owner of the team, has said that Romo could play for four or five more years. The questions keep piling up: Are we supposed to keep waiting for a Tony Romo miracle? Is he the long-term answer or should the Cowboys start looking for a young, up-and-coming quarterback? Johnny Manziel anyone?