The game between the Dallas Cowboys and Washington Redskins at FedEx Field Sunday night is labeled a box office event. We’re talking prime time football at its best with the NFC East up for grabs. The stakes are high for America’s Team, win or go home. The stars at night are big and bright... Deep in the heart of Texas.

The Cowboys have been walking a tightrope since the last time they made the playoffs in 2009. Quarterback Tony Romo was made scapegoat for the disappointing end to that season, but is now credited with the success of this season.

After a dreadful first-half of the season, Romo bounced back to throw 17 touchdowns versus three interceptions in the last seven games. The quarterback brought a struggling offense from depths of despair with four come-from-behind victories during that stretch.

Sunday’s game could be the turning point in Romo’s career with a stellar performance. A Dallas victory would likely erase some of the bonehead mistakes he made in the past in pressure situations. The Cowboys will need Romo to be Romolicious against Washington with a repeat performance of last week when he passed for 416 yards and four touchdowns against New Orleans. He posted his third 400-yard game of the season and became the first Cowboy to top 4,500 yards in a season.

The Redskins are ranked 30th against the pass and have allowed 29 touchdowns through the air this season. Cowboys’ wide receiver Dez Bryant and tight end Jason Witten should come up big against the swiss cheese secondary. However, the offense will also need a big day on the ground by running back DeMarco Murray, who had a critical fumble last week. 

Romo will need help from the banged up defense more than ever.

The Cowboys defense is wearing thin with four starters on the injured reserve. That doesn’t include nose tackle Jay Ratliff who has missed 10 games and cornerback Orlando Scandrick, who broke his hand against Washington on Thanksgiving. Despite the injuries, the 19th overall defense must find a way to harass rookie quarterback Robert Griffith and force him into mistakes.

The key to victory for Dallas is bend but don't break.