Cowboys vs. Giants: Why Tony Romo Can't Be Blamed for Dallas Embarrassment

The Dallas Cowboys suffered a monumental collapse this season—there is no other way to put it. They lost four of their final five games and finished at 8-8 after a 7-4 start gave them a two-game lead in the NFC East. 

Of all the people to blame for Dallas' late-season debacle, Tony Romo is the one guy I'm giving a pass this season. While Romo has imploded in key situations in the past, this year, he performed admirably in a tough situation. Dallas' defense and running game did not live up to expectations, and neither did head coach Jason Garrett.

Romo finished the season completing 346-of-522 passes (66.3 percent) for 4,184 yards, with 31 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. His quarterback rating of 102.5 ranked fourth in the NFL. It was his finest season in the NFL, and while the team collapsed around him, he continually performed well.

The Cowboys' season ended Sunday night thanks to a 31-14 loss to the New York Giants. In that game, the team's defense surrendered 437 yards of total offense—a pattern we've become accustomed to this season.

Rob Ryan's defense finished the season ranked 14th in the NFL in yards allowed (343.2), but was 23rd in pass defense (244.1 yards allowed per game). Considering the talent Dallas has on that side of the ball, that simply isn't good enough.

In addition to that, Garrett's woeful clock management cost the Cowboys at least two wins, which is unacceptable, no matter how inexperienced a head coach is.

So for once in the past few seasons, Romo can enter the offseason confident that he isn't the reason Dallas went home early.