In 2017, Tony Romo drew plenty of praise for his first season as a color commentator with CBS, especially with his ability to see and call plays before they happen. And during Sunday night’s Patriots-Chiefs AFC Championship Game broadcast on CBS, the former quarterback put his clairvoyance on full display.
The Chiefs could’ve really used Romo as their defensive coordinator, because he knew what the Patriots were going to do on many plays late in the fourth quarter and in overtime in New England’s 37-31 win.
We’ll start with 3:50 remaining in regulation, when the Patriots trailed 21-17 and had 4th-and-inches at the Kansas City 10-yard line. Tom Brady’s known for being very good at the QB Sneak, and Patriots running back Rex Burkhead was stuffed on 4th-and-1 earlier in the game. So, the QB Sneak seemed like it had to be the call this time, and Romo said as much when New England approached the line.
But then Romo noticed Brady changing the play at the line of scrimmage: “Oh, they’re killing it. Usually means a motion and a run out wide to the right.”
That’s exactly what happened. Rob Gronkowski went in motion to the right side of the line, and helped open up an outside running lane for Sony Michel, who went untouched for an easy touchdown.
With 54 seconds left in the quarter, the Patriots trailed 28-24, and faced a 3rd-and-5 at the Kansas City 29-yard line.
Romo: “I gotta put Gronkowski out wide. He’s your guy when it’s one-on-one. They finally got him, there he is.”
Brady indeed went to Gronkowski for a 25-yard completion.
In overtime, the Patriots had 3rd-and-9 at their own 35-yard line.
Romo: “They gotta block the front. If Gronk’s not outside, you gotta chip with him, chip with him (highlighting the running back), and throw to Edelman over the middle of the field.”
Brady hit Edelman over the middle of the field for a 20-yard gain.
Later in the drive, the Patriots had the ball at the Chiefs’ 30-yard line on 3rd-and-10.
Romo: “Gronk is out wide. Watch the top of the screen. Watch the safety. If he (the safety) comes down, there’s a good chance he (Brady) is throwing out there.”
Brady and Gronkowski connected for a crucial 15-yard play, on what would turn out to be the final pass of the game.
And on 2nd-and-Goal at the 2, Romo said, “New England tried the play-action earlier. I can’t see it here. This has to be a run.”
Rex Burkhead then carried the ball into the end zone for the game-winning touchdown to put New England in the Super Bowl.
Twitter was blown away by Romo’s work on the night. Here are some examples:
Confirmed: Just called Tony Romo to see where I’m going to play next year. #YoureAWizardTony
— Bryce Harper (@bryceharper3) January 21, 2019
https://twitter.com/LenKasper/status/1087186540026126342
If @tonyromo ever tells you tomorrow is your last day on Earth, you best get your affairs in order.
— Ryan Brown (@RyanBrownLive) January 21, 2019
There's a good chance Tony Romo knows what's in the Mueller Report
— David Gardner (@byDavidGardner) January 21, 2019
*Tony Romo drinking with his friends*
Romo: I think your wife is going to leave you.
Friend: What?
*phone on table starts buzzing*
Romo:
Friend:
Romo:
Friend: Goddamnit— SLC Dunk (@slcdunk) January 21, 2019
I was going to watch True Detective, but Tony Romo just told me what happens.
— Faizal Khamisa (@FaizalKhamisa) January 21, 2019
Tony Romo knows how Game of Thrones ends.
— Cabbie Richards (@Cabbie) January 21, 2019
Odds that Tony Romo is a wizard
-1000
— Odds Shark (@OddsShark) January 21, 2019
I mean, Tony Romo may be the most prescient, on-the-money analyst ever. We constantly kill everyone and their mom in my industry behind a microphone in a booth and it's time we actually salute a guy who is as good as they come and as good as there ever was.
— Mike Wise (@MikeWiseguy) January 21, 2019
https://twitter.com/lindseyadler/status/1087185277959966720
Tony Romo shaking his head "no" when I start to cross what I think is an empty city street
— ¡BUM CHILLUPS AKA SPENCER HALL! (@edsbs) January 21, 2019
can Tony Romo smell cancer like a special dog
— ¡BUM CHILLUPS AKA SPENCER HALL! (@edsbs) January 21, 2019
The Patriots-Rams Super Bowl is shown on CBS on Feb. 3, so we’ll get to see and hear more of Romo’s brilliance in two weeks.
