Pressure is on Romo, Cowboys defense

By Dan Shouse

Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

It certainly has not been a good week for Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo. After a dismal 3 INT performance last Sunday night against the Giants, Romo must now also deal with the added pressure of having Cowboy legend Tony Dorsett rip the QB publicly. Tonight's game between the Cowboys (1-1) and the Carolina Panthers (0-2) at the new Texas Stadium now looms large.

Dorsett's remarks that Romo has done nothing to warrant him being labeled a great QB may seem harsh, but they are also right on the money. Zero playoff wins does not make one a great quarterback. I have seen Tom Brady play, and you Tony Romo are no Tom Brady. Not even close.

It's not like Romo doesn't have the weapons to work with. Even without TO, Romo still has one of the best tight ends in the game in Jason Witten, and a capable WR in Roy Williams. Marion Barber (questionable heading into tonight) is banged up, but Felix Jones is ready to step in. It is time for Romo to step up and win an important games for a change. There are no excuses.

Having said that, it has not been all Romo's fault. The Cowboys defense has produced no turnovers and no sacks this season. What! Glad that is not the defense on my fantasy team. With guys like Demarcus Ware and Terence Newman, you would think there would be a least a few sacks and picks heading into tonight. There is just too much talent on the defense to think otherwise.

Good thing for the Cowboys is that the Panthers present the perfect opportunity for the defense to turn things around. Jake Delhomme (5 INTs already) is a turnover waiting to happen. Expect the Cowboys to take DeAngelo Williams and the Panther running game away, and put the game in Delhomme's hands. If Delhomme cannot get the ball to Steve Smith, then it will be a long night for the Panthers. Even though Jake looked better last week, that game came against a suspect Falcon defense.

Look for the Cowboys to get a least 2 picks, and for these turnovers to turn into points. The defense will make things easy for Romo this week. Romo should be good for 250 yards and 2 TD passes this week. The pressure will be off Romo and the rest of the Cowboys after this game, at least for a week anyway.

Dan's Prediction: Cowboys 27, Panthers 10