Column: Favre vs. Romo

Dallas Cowboys fans and Green Bay Packers fans alike are eagerly anticipating the matchup between their two teams later this week for many reasons, but for most, the interest in the game lies in the significant impact it will have on the playoff picture and homefield advantage.

However, I think the storyline lies in the backfield, where the gunslinger of old, Brett Favre, and the projected gunslinger of the future, Tony Romo, will go pass for pass, touchdown for touchdown in an attempt to lead their respective teams to victory.

Favre is playing like the quarterback that led his 1996 Packers to a Super Bowl win over the Patriots and like the 1997 quarterback, who returned Green Bay to the Super Bowl where the Packers lost to another great quarterback, John Elway, and the Denver Broncos.

Romo does not have the successful history on his resume, yet, but this week could be another big step in the right direction. This season, he has taken tremendous strides in becoming one of the top quarterbacks in the game, while at the same time positioning his team atop the NFC.

It is because of the play of Romo and the rest of the Cowboys that many NFL analysts consider Dallas to be the favorite to win the NFC East Division and ultimately, the NFC Conference.

But, as is the case with any analysis, there is always a contender and another team that is brought into the discussion. This team just happens to be led by one of the top three quarterbacks in the NFL, in my opinion.

The Packers and Cowboys have been going head-to-head for headlines in the NFC, while the Patriots and, to a small extent, the Colts have been the lead stories in the AFC.

The common bond between all four teams lies in the fact that each has a quarterback that can carry their team to a win whenever the effort is needed.

As I said, Romo is the newcomer to the group and this week he will have the chance to stake his claim as one of the elite quarterbacks in the game. There are some who say he has already done that, and with his recent contract, it’s a valid point. But if that’s the case, I think he can solidify his position this week. If Romo can outshine Favre and the Cowboys can move their impressive record to 11-1, while dropping the Packers to 10-2, Romo will surely rocket himself to the top of the NFL as one of the top five quarterbacks.

However, Favre is not considered to be a sure-fire Hall of Famer because he never came up big in a big game, in fact, until recent years, he was one of the most exciting players to play the quarterback position when his team was in a hole.

Does Romo have that same magic that has made Favre a household name among NFL fans? I don’t know. But I think he will have a chance to show just how good he can be this week when the two teams collide.