Tony Romo's return means Dallas still has a chance in NFC East

Still a chance for Dallas?

Life got you down at 2-7 after nine games? Fear not, Cowboys fans. You're in the NFC East, where hope lives now that Tony Romo is ready to return.

Reaching the playoffs still is unlikely for the Cowboys, who lost seven straight after Romo went down with a broken collarbone. But despite a horrendous record, the Cowboys are only 2 1/2 games behind the 5-5 Giants in the division. And with neither the Giants, Eagles (4-5) or Redskins (4-5) looking ready to run away with the division, the Cowboys aren't out of it just yet.

Even so, they'd have to go on a remarkable run to pull off a stunning divisional win. Dallas would have to go 6-1 in their last seven games just to finish .500. Which still might be good enough to win this division.

"I don't think that anyone in this locker room thinks by any means that this season is over," Romo said this week. "You lose enough games, sometimes it can creep in where it feels that way, and I don't think our team has not ever given 100 percent commitment. That's exciting to see. That's how you can turn it around."

Romo's return certainly will go a long way toward blunting the negative fallout behind not only the losses, but also the issues surrounding defensive end Greg Hardy and wide receiver Dez Bryant. Hardy, a controversial signing to begin with after his involvement in a domestic violence incident with then-girlfriend Nicole Holder last year, was the center of an avalanche of criticism when pictures of Holder after the incident were published online. And Bryant has been short-tempered during recent media sessions after he returned from a broken foot.

The Cowboys' schedule is certainly challenging. After Sunday's game against the Dolphins, they face Carolina, Washington, Green Bay and the Jets before finishing the season with games against Buffalo and Washington again.

"You win one or two, and guys are committed to their craft and playing as hard as they are, good things can happen and happen quickly," Romo said.

First things first, though.

"I don't think about anything other than beating the Dolphins this week and doing what I need to do to give us the best chance."

By Bob Glauber

Special to NewsdayBobGlauber

Bob Glauber retired in 2022 after covering the NFL for nearly 40 years. He was selected in 2021 for the Bill Nunn Career Achievement Award by the Pro Football Writers of America, and is a three-time winner of the New York State Sportswriter of the Year by the National Sports Media Association. President of the PFWA for the 2018-20 seasons, he is the author of “The Forgotten First” and “Guts and Genius.”