By JAIME ARON AP Pro Football Writer
IRVING, Texas (AP)—With five games left in the regular season, Tony Romo and the Dallas Cowboys have set themselves up for a big finish.
Or, a big flop.
The Cowboys returned from a long weekend Monday holding a four-game winning streak, a lead in the NFC East and a clear route to the playoffs. Their challenge is living up to the expectations they’ve raised.
Recent history is mixed, but tilting toward optimism.
Romo is 9-10 in regular-season games after Thanksgiving regular-season games, but he went 3-2 in his last chance, then followed with the first playoff win of his career. Last season, with Romo hurt and the Cowboys out of the playoff hunt, then-interim coach Jason Garrett guided them to another 3-2 finish.
Dallas (7-4) plays at Arizona on Sunday.
