The Ravens' 33-24 upset of the Cowboys had the Texas Stadium fans booing the final performance here. It meant for a restrained celebration of former Cowboys heroes after the game. More significantly, it left Dallas with a 9-6 record and dented playoff hopes.
The Cowboys did get a reprieve yesterday, thanks to losses by the Eagles and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. They still need to win next Sunday against the Eagles in Lincoln Financial Field to reach the postseason.
"It's a disappointing loss for us," coach Wade Phillips said.
We should never be shocked by these late-season crash-and-burns because they happen every December. For 12 straight seasons, the Cowboys have failed to have a winning record after November.
But to see the offense, in particular the passing game, fall apart at season's end is stunning.
Romo, who wasn't good in a 20-13 loss to Pittsburgh two weeks ago, was off again Saturday night. Passes meant for Terrell Owens, Jason Witten and Roy Williams in the first half didn't just barely miss.
Frequently, they weren't even close. He was intercepted twice on desperation heaves that were completely unnecessary. One of them came on a second and 3 at midfield.
Inexplicable, really.
Was it the pinkie finger, the injured back or the remnants of a fractured receiving corps coming home to roost?
The offensive line had another awful night as the Ravens kept relentless pressure on Romo, even while keeping their safeties deep.
"We had a little trouble recognizing who was a linebacker, who was a lineman," Romo said. "We made a lot of mental errors offensively in this game. It came back to haunt us."
