Dallas Cowboys 2011: Romo Redeems, Miles Ausin Is a Real Star

After a disastrous start to the 2011 season where Tony Romo took the sole blame for the fourth-quarter debacle versus the New York Jets in a 24-27 loss, Romo came back from a rib injury to lead the Cowboys to a 27-24 overtime victory over the 49ers in San Francisco. Romo seemingly redeemed himself in the win, but Miles Austin proved to be the real star of the game.

The Cowboys got off to a slow start, maybe still feeling the sting of last week’s loss, trailing at the half 14-7. In the third quarter, things looked even worse for the Cowboys as Tony Romo went out after being sacked with a rib injury in the first half. The prognosis was a fractured rib and it was reported that he’d miss the rest of the game. In his replacement, backup QB John Kitna threw two interceptions, along with one touchdown to Miles Austin.

Romo came back in the fourth quarter to lead the Cowboys to two consecutive scoring drives. The Cowboys tied the game on a field goal with four seconds left in the game. In overtime, on the first play after a punt from the 49ers, Romo threw a 77-yard pass completion to Jessie Holley, who incidentally made the roster after winning a tryout from appearing on Hall of Fame Cowboy receiver Michael Irvin’s reality TV show, “4th and Long”.

Romo ended the game with 345 yards and two touchdowns, gaining praise around the country from sportscasters and analysts alike, and rightfully so. But the real star and unsung hero of the game, is Miles Austin.

Austin caught all three of the Cowboy touchdowns, two of which came on long spectacular runs after the catch. He ended the game with nine catches and 143 yards. Austin caught touchdown passes from Romo and Kitna, while Romo was hurt on the bench, all while playing without the help of the young budding star receiver Dez Bryant, who was deactivated for this game with a thigh bruise he injured in the loss to the Jets.

Tony Romo desperately needed a performance like this, one where he faced and overcame the adversity of an injury and showed his team and doubters toughness, but also where he had to lead his team from behind with the game on the line. He showed that he is still capable of playing well in clutch situations, even if it was against the 49ers, one of the teams dubbed to be good “sometime in the near future.”

Romo’s performance would not have even been possible if not for the consistent performance of Miles Austin. Austin knows how to shine no matter the situation or the quarterback. He’s the type of big play receiver that makes things happen. If anyone is deserving of having an autobiographical book titled, “Just Give Me the Damn Ball”, it’d be Austin. Not because of his attitude of being a selfish player, like the real subject of the aforementioned book, but because when a big play is needed, just give him the damn ball, and watch good things happen.