Cometh the hour, cometh the man. When the Cowboys needed Romo he stepped up.
With 1’50” left on the clock in the first half his short pass to Terrance Williams set the receiver off on a 76yd touchdown. That play brought Dallas back into the game after trailing 14-0. Matt Prater converted a 39yd field goal just before the interval but the momentum certainly shifted Dallas’s way.
The Lions had gone 99yds for one of two first quarter touchdowns, but Matthew Stafford couldn’t get them in the end zone again. Detroit was driving with a 20-17 lead midway through the fourth quarter when the officials announced a pass interference penalty. The call was reversed without explanation and the Lions saw a 10-yard shanked punt after they tried to draw Dallas offside on fourth and one.
Romo took the Cowboys 59yds in 11 plays, including a 21yd pass to Jason Witten on fourth and six. The winner came in an 8yd pass to Williams.
The Lions haven’t won a play-off game since the 1991 season, when they beat Dallas. Ndamukong Suh was left in tears at the end of this one. It’s likely that he won’t play for Detroit again, but Motown have a lot to look forward to once they get over this one.
Dallas travel to Green Bay on Sunday evening.
The Carolina Panthers held the Arizona Cardinals to 78yds in the first wildcard game of the weekend. Their defence forced three turnovers in a 27-16 win. It was the franchise’s first play-off win in nine years and the fewest yards ever allowed in an NFL postseason.
In the second half Ryan Lindley was intercepted twice and sacked four times.
Cam Newton overcame two turnovers and threw for 198yds and two touchdowns. Jonathan Stewart’s fine rushing form continued as he rain for 123yds and a score.
Don’t expect many points when Carolina head to Seattle in the divisional round on Saturday night.
The Cincinnati Bengals became the first team in NFL history to lose four consecutive opening round games. Andy Dalton tied Warren Moon for the most consecutive opening round play-off losses.
Andrew Luck threw for 376yds as the Colts dominated the second half in this 26-10 victory.
Luck is 0&2 on the road in the postseason. Will it be third time lucky when he travels to Denver on Sunday?
The Baltimore Ravens dominated their division rivals Pittsburgh at Heinz Field in a 30-17 victory late on Saturday night.
Ben Roethlisberger was sacked five times. He passed for 334yds, but the game was won on chances taken. The Steelers were reduced to field goal chances while the Ravens were clocking up touchdowns.
Joe Flacco threw two second half touchdowns, including an 11yd score for Torrey Smith in the third quarter. Crockett Gillmore scored off a 21yd pass in the fourth after Big Ben was picked off.
This was the Ravens’ first postseason win in Pittsburgh. They travel to New England on Saturday.