Romo returns from layoff to help Dallas beat Miami 24-14

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — Tony Romo scrambled in the back of the end zone before improvising to throw his first pass in two months — left-handed for a short gain.

He did even better right-handed.

Romo pulled off his latest comeback victory Sunday, returning from a collarbone injury to throw for two scores, and the Dallas Cowboys won for the first time since he was hurt in Week 2, beating the Miami Dolphins 24-14.

The Cowboys (3-7) snapped a seven-game losing streak, their longest in a single season since 1989. The Dolphins (4-6) increased the likelihood they’ll miss the playoffs for the seventh year in a row.

Romo went 18 for 28 for 227 yards. He overcame two interceptions by throwing touchdown passes of 31 yards to Terrance Williams and 16 yards to Dez Bryant.

Linebacker Rolando McClain scored the game’s first points and his first career touchdown on a 12-yard interception return. He stepped in front of a pass by Ryan Tannehill intended for Greg Jennings.

Miami had the ball for only 21 minutes and went 1 for 10 on third-down conversions.

Romo looked rusty at times. The Cowboys’ first scoring threat ended when he was blitzed and his pass was intercepted by Brent Grimes.

A frustrated Romo yelled at intended receiver Bryant as they headed for the bench.

But Romo also showed his characteristic creativity. The left-handed desperation lob allowed him to avoid a safety on the Cowboys’ opening possession, and he later spun 360 degrees out of trouble for a key completion.

As expected, Romo sparked a team tied for next to last in the NFL in points. Since Week 2 of 2014, the Cowboys are 16-3 when he starts and 0-8 when he doesn’t.

Darren McFadden provided offensive balance by rushing for 129 yards. Robert Turbin, who joined the Cowboys on Wednesday, added 35 yards on seven carries.

The game matched a pair of last-place teams and looked it at times. Dallas committed 10 penalties and Miami nine.

A dance celebration by Bryant and Williams following a score prompted an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty that helped Miami score a touchdown in the final seconds of the first half.

But Bryant beat a linebacker and a safety for the touchdown that put the Cowboys ahead to stay, 21-14, on the first play of the fourth quarter.

The Cowboys mounted an 8 1/2-minute drive for their first offensive score. A third-down holding penalty on cornerback Jamar Taylor allowed the Cowboys to keep the ball, and he was beaten deep by Williams on another third down for the TD.

Tannehill threw touchdown passes of 12 yards to Jordan Cameron and 29 yards to Kenny Stills. But Romo directed a late 5½-minute drive that sealed Dallas’ win.