Healthy Romo is Cowboys' key to overcoming home field disadvantage
The Cowboys can assure themselves of a playoff spot by winning out with two games to go. The problem is, that means winning a game at home.
Despite a 7-0 road record, the Cowboys haven't done a good job of protecting their home field this season. Strangely, AT&T Stadium hasn't been much of a home field advantage for them since it opened in 2009. However, this season's 3-4 home record ,when the Cowboys are clearly playing at a higher level, is mystifying.
Some of the home losses can be explained away, others are purely mystifying:
49ers 28, Cowboys 17
The Cowboys simply weren't ready to start the season. San Francisco led 28-3 at the half and Tony Romo threw three interceptions. Too much focus on keeping starters healthy in the preseason likely cost them when the games started for real. It wasn't just Romo and his surgically repaired (again) back who was rusty.
Redskins 20, Cowboys 17 (OT)
The Cowboys just plain blew this one. They allowed new starter Colt McCoy, who began the season as the third-string QB, to get comfortable and eventually develop a rhythm with his receivers. The Cowboys also couldn't handle Washington's all-out blitzing, leading to five sacks and another back injury for Romo.
Cardinals 28, Cowboys 17
With Romo sidelined by injury, Brandon Weeden turned in a miserable performance in his only chance to start. Weeden threw for just 183 yards and two interceptions. But it was just a 14-10 Arizona lead midway through the fourth quarter. A healthy Romo and this could have had a different ending.
Eagles 33, Cowboys 10
Bucking the trend of scoring just 17 points in their losses, the Cowboys scored just 10 this time. At the least Cowboys had a legitimate excuse with the short turnaround from a Sunday night game in New York. Romo, with his tricky back, was most affected by the lack of recovery time. In hindsight, he later admitted that he didn't prepare like he should have.
The common thread in all four home losses is that when Romo is healthy and upright, the Cowboys' offense has a chance to pull out a win.
They overcame adversity on the road several times this season. The Cowboys were down 21-0 in St. Louis and came back to win, At Seattle, one of the toughest road venues in the NFL, they started the game down 10-0 and trailed in the fourth quarter but won, 30-23.
Even last week, the Cowboys blew a 21-0 lead and trailed in the second half, only to win, 38-27.
Why haven't they shown the same resolve at home? It's hard to win when your franchise quarterback isn't healthy. Some teams can win when their No. 1 quarterback goes down, but the Cowboys aren't built for that, presently. They are all-in on Romo.
Against the high-scoring Colts on Sunday, the Cowboys would get a big boost if running back DeMarco Murray can play with his injured hand. Murray's success this season has taken pressure off Romo and limited his risk-taking.
But make no mistake, this is still a Romo-centric team. The Cowboys' best chance to win at home on Sunday is to make sure Romo returns to his home after the game in good shape.
Follow Keith Whitmire on Twitter: @Keith_Whitmire
