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The Dallas Cowboys will be getting their leader back this week as Tony Romo returns from a broken collarbone to face the Miami Dolphins. With the Cowboys sitting at 2-7, this is a must-win game if they have any plans of making the playoffs. The Dolphins, on the other hand, will be looking to build on an impressive road win over the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 10. A win against the Cowboys will put the Dolphins at 5-5, which would be huge after starting the season 1-3 and firing head coach Joe Philbin.
Expect Romo to be rusty in his first game since Week 2. While he should be able to give the offense a spark, he can’t be expected to be the savior after terrible play from Brandon Weeden and Matt Cassel has the Cowboys on a seven-game losing streak. The offensive line is going to have to be the same offensive line that dominated last year so that Darren McFadden and the running game can take pressure off of Romo. Expect more than the offense scored last week, but don’t expect Romo to come in and be perfect.
The Cowboys’ defense has to be the most excited about Romo’s return. After holding the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to only three points until the last minute of last week’s game, the offense only provided them with six points to work with. A touchdown run by Jameis Winston would cost them the game. With Romo back, the defense doesn’t have to worry about trying to play a perfect game.
As for the Dolphins, they need Ryan Tannehill to become the quarterback that he was last year. He has struggled all season long, partially due to a poor offensive line, but he’s also made terrible decisions. Tannehill also needs to develop some chemistry with someone other than Rishard Matthews and Jarvis Landry. The front office went out and acquired Kenny Stills, Greg Jennings, Jordan Cameron and DeVante Parker, and Tannehill hasn’t been able to get any of them involved in the offense consistently.
The Dolphins were expected to be one of the top defenses in the NFL this year, but the unit has underachieved greatly. The loss of Cameron Wake certainly hurt, but there’s enough talent on that side of the ball to make them elite. While it has improved under new head coach Dan Campbell, the defense needs to take the next step and become a playoff-caliber unit.
I firmly believe that the Cowboys still believe they have a shot at the playoffs. If they are going to reach that goal, they can’t lose this game. With that being the case, expect them to come out with a chip on their shoulder and play at another level.
Prediction: Dallas 23, Miami 20
Jason Fletcher is a Senior Writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @JasonFletcher25, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google+.
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