Tony Romo Builds Up Cowboys Fans, Burns Them Down

From the start of the game at AT&T Stadium, it was apparent that the Dallas Cowboys and the Denver Broncos left the defenses in the locker rooms. The fans were in for a helluva show.

Tony Romo and Peyton Manning were gonna "shoot-it-out".

Advantage Manning.

However, Romo was up to the challenge. It was similar to a classic heavyweight boxing fight with both QBs trading shots. A 55-yard scoring drive here, an 82-yard TD pass there. Everyone knew that Manning was capable of lighting it up, but Tony was stealing the show.

Wes Welker #83 of the Denver Broncos catches a touchdown pass in front of Orlando Scandrick #32 of the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium on October 6, 2013 in Arlington, Texas. The Broncos defeated the Cowboys 51-48. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)

Romo proceeded to record the all-time Cowboy best passing game with 506-yards on 25-36 passing. Five passing TDs was the key to keeping pace with the Broncos efficient offense. Everything was shaping up well for the Dallas faithful to finally get that "signature win", sending Denver to their first loss. The Dallas offense got the ball back with 2:39 left in a 48-48 tie game.

Then, 2nd and 16 at the Dallas 16-yard line with 2:02 left happened.

Romo sent the hopes of Dallas fans crashing to the ground on a terrible choice of a pass, getting intercepted by Denver DB Danny Trevathan at the Dallas 24-yard line. Romo was attempting to squeeze the ball into tight coverage to TE Gavin Escobar when Trevathan dove for the INT. Replays and common football sense showed Dallas RB DeMarco Murray wide open just 3-yards away in the flat.After the AT&T Stadium crew opened the windows to let the air back in that had been sucked out, Denver drove the ball for a first down then ceremoniously killed the clock to 2 seconds, where Bronco kicker Matt Prater finished off the Cowboys with a 28-yard FG as time expired. Denver won 51-48 and moved to 5-0 on the season while Dallas slipped to 2-3.

As I looked at the stunned faces of Dallas fans as they exited the building, I realized something. It took just one play in an otherwise masterful performance for the "Romo-haters" to be vindicated.

It may not seem fair to Romo fans, but in a game where one play can make all of the difference, I'm beginning to believe the haters are right.

See pictures from the Dallas Cowboys vs Denver Broncos game below:

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