This was DeMarco Murray's first in-season game since the fractured ankle/sprain that ended his year late last season. Take a young player on the road against your biggest divisional rival in his first game back from a foot injury, and his production was above and beyond the call of what one might expect. My wording was a bit misleading in the post; I wasn't saying that Murray was an unknown before last night. I was saying that you couldn't know for sure what you would be getting from Murray under the circumstances.
Romo's case is two fold; statistically, it was a great night for him. 22 for 29, going near 300 yards passing with three touchdowns on the road against the defending Super Bowl Champions, in a game where everyone expected the Cowboys to blow it as usual. Romo averaged an even ten yards per completion, which helped spread the Giants defense (already suffering from injuries) out even further, which then creates a cycle by helping Murray in the running game, thus benefiting Romo further in the passing. But look beyond the statistics for a minute—Romo has been under immense scrutiny for being unable to handle big-pressure moments. The Cowboys under Romo are known for one thing, and one thing only: underperforming. Last night, Romo made big passes when he needed to, and kept drives alive at opportune times. That final strike to Ogletree to end the game off the first down completion was huge, and Romo bailing out his team after two atrocious penalties backed them up to the edge of field goal territory in what was then a one possession game was incredible.
I detest Romo and the Cowboys almost as much as anyone, but I can appreciate a pretty incredible performance when I see it.
