Week 9 QB projections • DAL Stats
QB Tony Romo, Dallas Cowboys
HT: 6-2, WT: 219, Born: 4-21-1980, College: Eastern Illinois, Drafted: ---
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Stats and Week 9 Projection
| WK | OPP | RES | CMP | ATT | PYD | Y/A | PTD | INT | RSH | YD | Y/R | TD | FPT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | vs ATL | W, 37-21 | 21 | 29 | 311 | 10.7 | 3 | 0 | 6 | 31 | 5.2 | 0 | 34 |
| 8 | vs SEA | W, 38-17 | 21 | 36 | 256 | 7.1 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 10 | 10.0 | 0 | 29 |
| SEASON TOTAL | 138 | 230 | 1908 | 8.3 | 12 | 4 | 17 | 73 | 4.3 | 1 | 161 | ||
| 9 | at PHI | PROJ | 22 | 35 | 257 | 7.3 | 1.7 | 1.3 | 2 | 5 | 2.5 | 0 | 19 |
Week 9 Injury Status and Other News
He was not listed on Friday's official injury report. Opinion (from The Upgrade/Downgrade/Waiver Report): Tony Romo had another strong performance on Sunday, completing touchdown passes to three different pass catchers. Romo also avoided throwing an interception for the third game in a row (and the fifth time this season). However, Romo did fumble the ball once as he was being sacked. Romo's improved performance in the last month can be explained by the emergence of an actual outside threat among the receivers. However, it is Miles Austin (and not Roy Williams) who is making that impact. Because Romo now has a capable playmaker outside the hash marks loosening up the defense, he is finding more passing lanes between the hash marks as well. Romo completed a pass to 10 different receivers. His best passes came on mid-range slants and crosses wherein he consistently led his receivers and they responded by picking up yards after the catch. Furthermore, the Cowboys now have the confidence to pass the ball near the goal line (two of Romo's touchdowns came inside the 10). Romo's early season struggles appear to be behind him. As long as he plays at this level, he should be a lock to finish inside the top-five fantasy quarterbacks.Week 9 Matchup Info
at Philadelphia Eagles (Tough matchup) - As our own Joe Bryant is fond of pointing out, things move fast in the NFL, folks - suddenly, Dallas at Philadelphia is a battle of the top teams in the NFC East. Both teams have an overall record of 5-2, though the Eagles have won both their previous divisional games, while the Cowboys are 0-1 in the NFC East so far. Dallas has won three game straight - the Eagles have salted away two straight wins (both in division). The fading Giants sit at 5-3, looking up at the Cowboys and the Eagles.As Austin Miles excels (21/482/5 receiving in the last three games), former #1 WR Roy Williams has bumbled along (3/35/1 receiving in the last two games) further cementing Miles' role as the new lead receiver in Dallas. Williams said after his most recent poor performance (2/19/1 out of 7 targets), 'I don't know what it is. We worked early in the off-season, came in a month before everybody, throwing every day. He throws to me every day and it's just not there right now.' In fact, over the past three games, Austin has commanded 30 targets for the afore-mentioned 21/482/5, followed by Jason Witten (21 for 14/136/0), and Patrick Crayton (15 for 9/92/1). Williams just isn't converting enough passes into plays, folks. Tony Romo hasn't seemed to miss a beat, though, thanks to the emergence of Miles - Romo is the fourth best fantasy QB in the land in points per game over the past four weeks with 62/99 for 918 yards passing with eight TDs and zero interceptions (with 10/46/0 rushing to boot).
The Eagles' pass D is one of the league's most feared units, with 14 interceptions (third in the NFL, currently) and 17 sacks to date (tied for 19th). They are vulnerable to big plays (to go along with their ball-hawking tendencies) - the Eagles have given up 11 passing TDs in the past seven games, while averaging 193.7 net passing yards allowed per contest (10th in the NFL). On balance this is a good, but not elite unit. Eli Manning threw for 20/39 yielding 215 net yards, one TD and two interceptions against the Eagles last week - Jason Campbell had 29/43 for 246 net yards, two TDs and one interception the week prior.
Romo is on fire entering this game, averaging over 300 yards and 2.66 TDs per game in his past 3 contests - he'll have a tough time with the Eagles in their aerie at Lincoln Financial Field, though.
Game Summaries
Week 1 at TB - It wasn't an impressive performance for Romo as much as it was a terrible day for the Tampa safeties, particularly Sabby Piscitelli. Busted coverages by Piscitelli led to the long catch and run TDs by Roy Williams and Patrick Crayton, which basically amounted to half of Romo's production on the day. Romo was calm in the pocket, and his pinpoint accuracy on both of those throws did contribute to the big plays, in fairness to him. Romo also showed great timing and anticipation of Roy Williams routes. He could have had an even bigger day if he had made a better throw on a short fade to Martellus Bennett, but Romo threw a line drive. Most of Romo's incompletions were due to drops or good breakups of accurate passes more than errant throws. He was impressive as a blocker, springing a good gain on an end around by Patrick Crayton that was overturned by penalty. Tampa did get more pressure in the second half, but for the most part, the Dallas offensive line gave him time to calmly survey the field and make good throws.Week 2 vs NYG - Some players seem to shine when under the spotlight. Others just melt. Right now, there is probably a Tony Romo-shaped puddle in the middle of Jerry Jones' new stadium after his three interception performance on Sunday Night Football in Week 2 against the New York Giants. He completed 16 passes, but only 13 to his teammates. Relying on TE Jason Witten helped to some degree, but his targets were off and the Giants surrounded Roy Williams and Witten with Kenny Phillips poised to catch whatever happened to fly his way. Romo looked off all night with his accuracy and his turnovers directly led to most of the Giants' points. He did manage to run in a touchdown, but his passing and inaccuracy will be what he is remembered for with this performance. He will try and regroup for another prime time game next Monday night against Carolina.
Week 3 vs CAR - Romo was patient and safe for the most part, and managed the win very well, although he didn't do anything to make his fantasy owners happy. Romo didn't throw downfield too often, settling for underneath passes to Jason Witten in the first half, and finding Roy Williams and Patrick Crayton on intermediate routes when he did throw to his wideouts. Romo got sacked in the red zone in the first half on a trick play that took too long to develop, and in the second half he got to throw two fades at the one-yard line. Roy Williams dropped one of them, and Martellus Bennett turned the wrong way on the other. Romo had one play that displayed his heroics and foolishness, a throw back across the field to Tashard Choice that resulted in a nice gain, but was also the kind of throw that often ends up going the other way for a TD. On the plus side for his fantasy owners, Romo showed a willingness to use his athleticism to gain yards as a runner when the play broke down. He only took one deep shot, to Roy Williams, but Williams was not open.
Week 4 at DEN - Romo had an up and down (mostly down) day against the Broncos. The Cowboys were not throwing to their wide receivers early in the game, mainly targeting the running backs out of the backfield. He didn't get a pass off to Jason Witten until the end of the second-quarter, and basically looked out of sync all day. Romo was either holding the ball too long, or he was getting rid of the ball too early in fear of the Broncos pass rush. His timing was off most of the day, and his biggest play came on a busted play where he used his improvisational skill to move around until Sam Hurd got open. Tony Romo targeted future Hall of Famer Champ Bailey sixteen (!) times on Sunday. He was intercepted once by the All-Pro, and foolishly went after him in the end zone on the final two plays of the game. Bailey baited Romo into throwing, and was able to swat the ball away both times.
Week 5 at KC - Romo continued his transformation into a sound game manager with the ability to make something happen when the play breaks down. He peppered the Chiefs defense with quick, short, accurate throws that kept them on their heels. Romo saw the field well and made hair-trigger decisions to find the open receiver before the pressure could get to him. He could have had up to three more touchdown passes on the day, but he was either a little off or victimized by drops. If he continues to play with this kind of patience and precision, Romo will stay in the fantasy QB1 ranks
Week 7 vs ATL - Since a horrendous Sunday night performance vs. the Giants, Romo has been playing as well as any QB this side of Peyton Manning. He was patient in the pocket, but picked his moments to run and extend plays well, including a bonafide Houdini act on the short TD pass to Patrick Crayton. Romo once again was on the same as Miles Austin all day on all kinds of throws, from a deep ball on a post route after a Falcons TD to intermediate comebacks and bullets over the middle. Only one of his two TDs to Austin was a result of broken tackles this week. Romo used Jason Witten as a safety valve and hot read, and moved the offense at will after a few early three-and-outs. He has turned back into a fantasy QB1 with a wide array of weapons.
Week 8 vs SEA - Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo had another good game against the Seahawks. For the third week in a row (and 5th time this season) Romo did not throw an interception (although he did lose a fumble). Romo's passing the last few weeks has been much improved and the reasons are clear: instead of forcing the ball to Jason Witten or Roy Williams, the Cowboys offense is now spreading the ball around. That, combined with the emergence of Miles Austin as a true downfield threat, has made the Cowboys passing attack potent once again. Romo favors Austin on deep balls and routes outside the hash-marks while turning to Witten, and receivers Roy Williams, Sam Hurd, and Patrick Crayton in the middle of the field. Romo was very efficient in completing 21 of 36 passes, most of which only traveled 6 to 8 yards down field. Romo completed passes to 10 different Cowboys and seemed patient enough in the pocket to find the open man. It certainly helped that the Seattle pass-rush was relatively unsuccessful in rushing Romo and on the rare occasion he was forced from the pocket, he often still found the open man downfield. Just as impressive, Romo's passes are not sailing on his as they have in the past; none of his incompletions were clear overthrows. Romo finished the day with 3 touchdown throws and 15 passing first downs.
