That didn’t happen, though, even after the Cowboys held the ball for more than half of the third quarter before settling for a field goal that gave them their last lead. The Giants only had the ball a combined 6:20 on their scoring drives, but it was enough to hang on to a 21-17 win.

And when Romo was forced to try long passes and big plays in the fourth quarter against a re-energized Giants defensive front, he was only able to complete six of 15 passes for 81 yards.

Romo’s trip to Cabo was certain to be second-guessed now, despite support for it both from Owens and the head Cowboy himself. Jerry Jones somehow managed to find time from selling trucks, pizza and Pepsi on TV to put on his extra-large hat as Cowboys owner, president, general manager, and part-time team physician to give his blessing.

With good reason, because the only thing Romo did other than frighten Cowboys fans with his romantic fling was give people even more reason to watch Dallas and buy more No. 9 jerseys to wear while they read People magazine.

“The facts are I like it, you’re absolutely right,” Jones said before the game. “All of that sizzle, extra interest, really adds to what the Cowboys are all about.”

Image, of course, sells, but the reality for the Cowboys is they haven’t won a playoff game since Romo was a sophomore in high school. They had a team that was at one point 12-1 this season and they lost at home to a team they had beaten twice before.

Now they face an offseason that will last longer than planned, and have to get over a loss even Jones can’t sugarcoat. And even the prospect of going home to Simpson didn’t help lift the disconsolate Romo’s spirits.

“It hurts,” he said. “When you don’t come through, especially in the quarterback position, it’s really a tough pill to swallow.”

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