Cowboys lose to Cards in OT, lose QB Romo to injury

The Dallas Cowboys held a solid statistical advantage over the Arizona Cardinals behind a 3 TD day from QB Tony Romo.  Only problem was that they didn’t hold the numerical advantage where it really mattered—on the scoreboard.  The Cowboys rallied from a 10 point 4th quarter deficit to lose in OT on a blocked punt returned for a TD as Arizona won their sixth consecutive home game 30-24.  The Cowboys would later find out that QB Romo had suffered a broken hand in the loss and would be out of action for up to a month.

The game began in dramatic fashion as Arizona’s JJ Arrington ran back the opening kickoff for a 95 yard TD return.  That would be the only scoring for much of the first half until Romo hit Patrick Crayton with a 55 yard TD pass with under a minute left to tie the score at 7-7.  The teams would trade TDs in the third quarter, but Arizona opened up a 10 point lead midway through the 4th.  The Cowboys manage to tie the score in the final 2:00 of the game via Romo’s third TD pass of the day to Marion Barber and a 52 yard Nick Folk FG as time expired.

Things quickly began to unravel for the Cowboys in OT, starting with Romo suffering a broken pinky finger on his throwing hand during the first offensive play of the extra session.  The Cowboys were unable to generate any offense and were forced to punt.  That punt was blocked by Monty Beisel who returned the ball 3 yards for TD and the Arizona victory.

Dallas announced that Romo had suffered the injured hand on Monday.  The broken finger, which won’t require surgery, could keep him out of the lineup for up to 4 weeks and will bring his streak of 30 consecutive starts to an end.  40 year old Brad Johnson, who won a Superbowl with Tampa Bay in 2003, will be the team’s starter while Romo is on the mend.

Arizona has quietly become a solid home team under head coach Ken Whisenhunt.  Sunday’s victory ran their home record to 9-2 in his tenure.  The team has a bye next week and will then take to the road for their next two contests against Carolina and St. Louis.  They’ll return home on 11/10 for a Monday night game against the 49ers.  Dallas travels to St. Louis next Sunday before a home game against Tampa Bay on 10/26.  They’ll meet the defending Superbowl champion NY Giants the following week at the Meadowlands.