LONDON – He practiced like it was a normal week. He pretty much played like it was, too.
Tony Romo might not have felt the best ever, he even admitted as much, but you wouldn't have been able to tell by his final stat line Sunday here in Wembley Stadium as he torched through Jacksonville's secondary for three touchdowns – all in the first half – as the Cowboys dominated the Jags for a 31-17 win.
Getting to 7-3 was the ultimate goal but getting Romo back in the saddle, and through the game without any more back issues was another big plan for the Cowboys, who were able to accomplish both.
After the game, Romo seemed more excited about getting the win, than getting through the game without any major injury setbacks.
"It's very important. I think we had to win this game," Romo said. "We came out with great energy and just executed very well. I'm very happy to see these guys play well and come out with the win."
When asked if he took an epidural shot before the game, Romo said he opted for a pain-relieving pill that seemed to work just as well. After the game, Romo admitted he was still rather sore.
"It's always uncomfortable, no matter when you get hit," Romo said, referring to some of the late-game hits he took. "After (the hits), you don't feel 100 percent but like I've said before, that's part of playing football. I'm a little banged up. A lot of guys are banged up. At the end of the day, nobody cares when you step on that field. It's all about winning."
Romo said the equipment staff "didn't go crazy with extra padding" for his back, mainly because he already extensive padding around his back and ribs area.
Romo missed last week's game against the Cardinals with an injury diagnosed as two small fractures in the transverse process in his back. He suffered the injury initially against the Redskins two games ago, left the field for most of the second half before returning for the end of regulation and overtime.
Even after a week off, Romo looked rather sharp against Jacksonville. He finished the game with a season-high 138.8 passer rating as he completed 20 of 27 passes for 246 yards and the three scores.
The first touchdown was vintage Romo, who bought some time on third-and-goal from the 2 and allowed Jason Witten to find a spot in the end zone to sit. Romo fired the ball for the touchdown, giving Dallas a 10-7 lead.
The next two scores were good passes from Romo, but better effort by Dez Bryant who had a 35-yard touchdown that was nothing more than a 7-yard crossing route. Bryant turned it up for first-down yardage, but kept going until he plowed into the end zone.
Just before halftime, Romo lofted a perfect strike to Bryant, who rumbled the remaining yards for a 68-yard touchdown that gave the Cowboys a convincing 24-7 halftime lead.[embeddedad0]
"Yeah he was fantastic," Romo said of Bryant. "Some of their coverages were dictating that he was going to get the ball. He obviously did a fantastic job."
