IRVING, Texas -- With the focus each week on the status of Tony Romo's back, just how well the Dallas Cowboys quarterback has played in nine games has been somewhat lost in translation.
Romo's 107.2 passer rating is second in the league. He is second in completion percentage (68.8 percent). He is tied for ninth in touchdowns. His 8.34 yards per gain is third best. After throwing three interceptions in his first 14 passes of the season, he has thrown three in his last 255 attempts.
"He's responded well with the adversity with his back," coach Jason Garrett said. "We talk about being your best regardless of circumstances, whatever circumstance he's been in, somehow he's found a way to fight through it. He's led our team well. I think he functions really well in this scheme. Any of the evolutional part in our offense, has been positive. He's embraced that. Obviously, we're better offensive unit around him. We're better on the offensive line. We're running the ball better. All of those things are good. But he's had a huge part in orchestrating all of that."
Romo was not into making a state of the union address Wednesday when asked for his thoughts on how he has played this season.
"I don't think the year's over so to get into an analysis of what you're doing right now is just premature and too early," Romo said. "As far as me, I'm just trying to continue to get better and play at a high level week in and week out, give our football team chances to continue to win these games. I said in training camp what I thought I was going to be able to do over the course of my career. You've just got to go out and do it."
The Cowboys will need Romo to continue to play as well in the final six games if they want to make the playoffs for the first time since 2009. Despite the 8-8 finishes the last three years, Romo's late-season numbers have been impressive.
In the final six games he has played since 2011, Romo has 38 touchdown passes and 14 interceptions.