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Romo, re-energized Cowboys host 49ers

Nov 18, 2008 - 6:56 PM SAN FRANCISCO (3-7) AT DALLAS (6-4), 1:00 pm EST

IRVING, Texas (Ticker) -- The NFL is such that a team's fortunes can change 180 degrees in a single week, and that seems to sum up the state of the Dallas Cowboys.

Fresh off their crucial win in Washington, the Cowboys return home to host the San Francisco 49ers in the first of two games over a five-day stretch.

Dallas' next two contests are against teams who have a combined 5-15 record. After Sunday's clash against the 49ers (3-7), the Cowboys entertain the Seattle Seahawks (2-8) on Thanksgiving.

If Dallas (6-4) takes care of business against the NFC West bottom feeders, it will be 8-4 heading to Pittsburgh on December 7.

Dallas' season has resembled a soap opera, but with quarterback Tony Romo back in the lineup, the Cowboys still think they are a playoff team.

"That's what we want to believe and that's what I want my players to believe," Cowboys coach Wade Phillips said. "This is a start for us."

After missing three games with a broken pinkie, Romo returned last week and looked rusty early, throwing two first-half interceptions in Dallas' 14-10 victory over the Redskins.

Still, the Cowboys looked revitalized with their leader back running the offense.

Wearing a splint under the heavy bandage on his right hand to protect the broken pinkie, Romo faced questions as to how he would be able to grip the ball.

Still, he shook off the slow start to complete 19-of-27 for 198 yards, including a 25-yard TD strike to rookie Martellus Bennett that gave the Cowboys a 14-10 lead with just under 11 minutes remaining.

Starting cornerback Terence Newman also returned for the Cowboys after missing five games with a sports hernia. He had seven tackles and an interception.

The real key for Dallas, however, was the power running of Marion Barber, who ran for 66 of his 114 yards in the fourth quarter when the Cowboys possessed the ball for nearly 11 minutes.

Possibly saving its season, Dallas pulled into a tie for second with Washington (6-4) in the NFC East.

"That was one of the most important ballgames we've played this year," Romo said. "We stressed the importance level all week. I told the guys, 'The time is now. Just show me your game.'"

The 49ers head to Dallas after routing the St. Louis Rams, 35-16, to give interim coach Mike Singletary his first win after a pair of losses.

The 49ers, who snapped a six-game slide, scored 28 points in the second quarter en route to a 35-0 halftime cushion. It was their highest point total since a 37-31 overtime win at Arizona on November 25, 2007.