by Jeric Griffin
Featured Columnist
Matthew Emmons-US PRESSWIRE

On Sunday, Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo finally turned in the performance demanded from him. Romo’s Cowboys beat the Buffalo Bills 44-7 in a game where Romo was as close to perfect as an NFL quarterback can get.

Romo has been up and down all season just like his entire career. He’s piled up big stats while only leading his team to five wins in nine games. Romo’s late-game interceptions that cost the Cowboys big leads against the New York Jets and Detroit Lions are now all but forgotten as he completed 23 of 26 passes for 270 yards and three touchdowns. His 148.4 passer rating is the highest of his career and his 88.5 completion percentage is a Cowboys single-game record.

So did Romo just finally flip the switch and become an elite NFL quarterback? He sure won’t say that because it isn’t true. Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett’s offensive play-calling made Romo’s record-breaking performance possible.

Garrett called more vertical passes in this game, which it more fitting to Romo’s talent than short passes. Romo’s third pass of the game was a 25-yard dart down the right seam to Jesse Holley, an appetizer for one of the greatest catches this NFL season.

On first-and-10 from the Buffalo 34-yard line, Romo lofted a pass to right side of the goal line where Dez Bryant reached over Bills cornerback Leodis McKelvin for a tremendous touchdown catch. This was the first of Romo’s three touchdown passes. The other two went to Laurent Robinson, from lengths of five and 58 yards.

Romo’s awareness of the Bills’ pass rush was almost too good on Sunday. He’s typically been good at stepping up in the pocket throughout his career, but he spun out of two sacks from unblocked Bills defenders to complete two critical passes in the game, one of which was his first touchdown to Robinson.

Of course, a lack of pressure definitely made things easier for Romo as Cowboys running back DeMarco Murray rumbled for 135 yards and a touchdown on 20 carries. With the Bills defense off-balance, Romo found open receivers all afternoon, leading to his record-breaking performance.

The Cowboys are now in prime position to make a run in the NFC East, especially with two matchups against the division leading New York Giants still remaining on the schedule. If Dallas can continue this new-found offensive balance and Romo can stay efficient, the Cowboys may finally live up to the hype that’s surrounded this team since its last Super Bowl victory 15 years ago.

Contact Jeric Griffin on Twitter @JericGriffin

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      [...] Tony Romo Displays Record Efficiency, New Confidence in Cowboys' Win Over Bills by Jeric Griffin On Sunday, Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo finally turned in the performance demanded from him. Romo's Cowboys beat the Buffalo Bills 44-7 in a game where Romo was as close to perfect as an NFL quarterback can get. … Read more on Rant Sports [...]

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