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With Romo back, Cowboys begin crucial second half vs. Redskins

Nov 11, 2008 - 3:21 PM Dallas (5-4) at Washington (6-3) 8:15 pm. EST

LANDOVER, Maryland (Ticker) -- A loss to their hated rival Washington Redskins a little over a month ago sent the Dallas Cowboys into a tailspin.

After week off and the return of star quarterback Tony Romo, the Cowboys hope to regain some momentum when they visit the equally rested Redskins on Sunday in a key NFC East clash.

Dallas entered the season as a popular pick to reach Tampa for Super Bowl XLIII, and its impressive 3-0 start only solidified that notion. However, the Cowboys were brought back to earth by Washington in a 26-24 setback on September 28 - the first of three losses in a four-week stretch.

Clinton Portis ran for 121 yards and Jason Campbell threw a pair of touchdowns as the Redskins dominated the Cowboys' defense and held Dallas' powerful offense in check for most of the game.

"We didn't play well in that game at all," said veteran linebacker Zach Thomas, who leads the Cowboys with 66 tackles. "They did a really good job of mixing it up on us. We've got to pick it up this time around."

That loss was the first sign of trouble for the Cowboys, who posted an uninspiring 31-22 win over then-winless Cincinnati on October 6 and then lost Romo to a broken pinkie in a 30-24 overtime loss to Arizona the following week.

The injury cost Romo four weeks - three games - and the Cowboys went 1-2 in that span. Dallas had been averaging 28.3 points before the two-time Pro Bowler went down, but that number fell to 13.6 with Brad Johnson and Brooks Bollinger at the helm.

The Cowboys were embarrassed by the NFC East-leading Giants, 35-14, prior to their bye week, but now Romo is set to return.

Romo, who was leading the league with 14 touchdowns before getting hurt, looked good in practice Monday.

"Romo is better and better. Last week he was OK," head coach Wade Phillips said. "Today he was a lot better, I think. He had more zip on the ball. He felt more comfortable. He's still taking snaps, didn't seem to be a problem. It's looking better and better for him as far as getting back to where he was."

That is good news for Dallas, which has little room for error the rest of the way. The defending NFC East champions will likely be vying for a wild card spot, with the Giants (8-1) holding a firm grip on the division lead.

"For us, it's a new season," Thomas said. "We've got seven games and we've got to start playing together . . . fast."

The Redskins had a week of to reflect on their worst loss of the season. Campbell was sacked seven times and threw his first two interceptions of the season in a 23-6 loss to Pittsburgh on November 3.

The league's second-leading rusher, Portis was held to 51 yards on 13 carries - ending his streak of five straight games with at least 120 yards rushing. He also suffered a sprained knee in that game, and is questionable for this contest.

First-year head coach Jim Zorn said Portis was "50-50" as to whether he would be available to practice this week. The injury flared up during the bye week.

"He's questionable," Zorn said. "We need to get the pain out of his knee and see how he progresses along."

The Redskins have a new addition in cornerback DeAngelo Hall, who signed with Washington last week, two days after being released by Oakland.

"The Redskins are special," said the Virginia native, who grew up a Redskins fan. "They're the home team for me. I've always dreamed about playing in the area that I grew up in. To get an opportunity is a blessing."

Hall has a history with enigmatic Cowboys receiver Terrell Owens from his days with the Atlanta Falcons. Owens caught five passes for 69 yards and two touchdowns against Hall in a 38-28 win over Atlanta last season. During that game Owens admitted that he spit at Hall, and was fined $35,000 by the league.

Owens caught seven passes for 71 yards and a TD in the first meeting this season.

"I definitely know him pretty well. I know this team pretty well," said Hall, who also faced Owens when he was with the Philadelphia Eagles.

Washington has won the last two meetings here - including a 27-6 triumph in Week 17 of last season when the Cowboys were resting their regulars.