Romo Leads Cowboys To 24-20 Playoff Win Over Lions
ARLINGTON (CBSDFW.COM) -- The NFC Wild Card game between the Cowboys and Lions featured two quarterbacks with a lot to prove in postseason play.
Tony Romo made a dramatic statement.
Romo led Dallas on a fourth quarter go-ahead drive to give the Cowboys a 24-20 Wild Card win over Detroit -- their first playoff win since 2009.
Dallas will now travel to Green Bay to play the Packers in the Divisional Round next Sunday.
Terrance Williams caught the go-ahead 8-yard touchdown on a crossing route from Romo, capping the Cowboys' rally from a 20-7 third quarter deficit. The final drive spanned 11 plays and consumed over 5 minutes of clock.
Williams finished the day with three receptions for 92 yards and two touchdowns.
"We all made a commitment," said Williams. "Just go out there, don't look at the score, and just play it one play at a time -- and I think we did that."
Romo was 19-of-31 for 293 yards and two touchdowns.
He entered the season perceived as a quarterback who falters in the final month of the season -- including the playoffs. He quieted his critics, leading Dallas to a 4-0 record while posting the highest quarterback rating ever for in December -- 133.7.
Now, he has his second playoff victory in five tries.
"I'm thrilled for him to have had that kind of game against a team like Detroit," said owner Jerry Jones after the game. "That's a big credit to his career."
PHOTOS: Detroit Lions vs Dallas Cowboys
Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford, a Highland Park native, was sacked on Detroit's final possession on fourth down near midfield to seal the game.
Stafford is now 0-2 in his postseason career and 0-18 versus winning teams on the road. Stafford finished the day 28-of-42 for 323 yards, with one touchdown and one interception.
Though the Cowboys held a decisive home-field advantage, it wasn't easy. Detroit roared to an early 14-0 lead and maintained a 20-7 advantage into the third quarter.
After the Cowboys started the game with a three-and-out, Lions receiver Golden Tate beat Barry Church for a 51-yard touchdown to give Detroit a 7-0 advantage.
The Lions doubled their lead on the next possession.
After pinning Detroit inside the 5-yard line, Dekoda Watson ran into punter Sam Martin, giving the Lions a fresh set of downs. Running back Reggie Bush capped off a 14-play, 99-yard drive with an 18-yard rush.
Offensively, Dallas struggled in the first half to protect Romo, who was hit on eight of his first 11 dropbacks, including two sacks.
Final Stats: Detroit Lions vs Dallas Cowboys
Dallas' breakthrough came late in the half, when Williams caught a 76-yard touchdown pass on a slant from Romo.
The Lions recaptured the momentum heading into halftime with a 39-yard field goal by kicker Matt Prater.
Detroit would manage just one field goal in the second half.
"We've been doing that all year," said Barry Church. "A couple of teams come out early and punch us in the mouth, but we've learned we have a strong chin. We are able to take that punch and keep rolling."
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