Romo Sharp: Cowboys Blow Out Bucs
Jojo Doria

Tampa Bay, FL

The Dallas Cowboys needed a pick-me-up and the struggling Tampa Bay Buccaneers were happy to oblige.

Tony Romo accounted for four first-half touchdowns as the Cowboys stopped their slide and extended the Tampa Bay Bucs' long skid with a 31-15 victory Saturday night at Tropicana Field.

Felix Jones added 108 yards rushing for the Cowboys(8-6), who dropped consecutive games against Arizona and the New York Giants on missed field goals. The win likely keeps the Cowboys' finale in two weeks against the Giants (7-6) a game where the winner takes the NFC East. championship

The Bucs (4-10), have dropped eight straight after starting the season 4-2.

Romo, who lit up Tampa Bay for 659 yards without an interception in winning his first two games against the Bucs, was 18 of 22 in the first 30 minutes for 189 yards and three TDs. He added a 1-yard TD plunge late in the half to cap a 279-yard first half and provide a 28-0 lead. All three of his TD passes - to Miles Austin, Dez Bryant and Laurent Robinson - were third-down plays where he kept the plays alive by scrambling.

Romo finished 23 of 30 for 249 yards. His only bad play was a fumble when sacked by behind that was returned for a touchdown early in the third quarter.

After allowing a 400-yard passer, 100-yard rusher and 100-yard receiver in the same game for the first time in team history last week in the 37-34 loss to the Giants, the Dallas defense dominated. After allowing an opening series first down scramble by Josh Freeman, the Cowboys garnered the next 23 first downs. The defense forced four consecutive 3-and-outs, allowing 55 first-half yards while forcing a fumble and recording two sacks.

Josh Freeman, who entered with an NFL-high 18 interceptions, three times more than he threw last season, was 17 of 27 for 148 yards and a