The New Orleans Saints (13-2) locked up the NFC’s No. 1 seed by holding off the Pittsburgh Steelers 31-28 on Sunday at the Superdome. While beating the Saints in New Orleans may be the most difficult thing to do in the NFL right now, the Steelers (8-6-1) may have needed to do so to make the playoffs. Now, Pittsburgh needs to beat the Bengals (which is likely, at least), and have the Browns beat the Ravens in Baltimore (unlikely, but possible).
So, there was a lot on the line in the Saints-Steelers game, and Pittsburgh really had an excellent chance to pull off the upset.
Well, CBS color commentator Tony Romo enjoyed every second of the game, and especially the wild finish.
Pittsburgh took a 28-24 lead into the final minute and a half, when Drew Brees threw a pass to Michael Thomas on 2nd-and-goal. Originally, Thomas was ruled down just short of the goal line, but the replay made it clear Thomas crossed the goal line for a touchdown. Romo and play-by-play man Jim Nantz were on top of it.
“That’s a touchdown! That’s gonna be a touchdown for the Saints!”
The Steelers still had over a minute to work with, needing a field goal to tie. On 4th-and-15, Ben Roethlisberger threw a 19-yard sideline route that Antonio Brown made a ridiculous catch on.
“He’s in bounds!”
And the Steelers indeed made it into field goal range, only to immediately fumble. JuJu Smith-Schuster coughed up the football on an eight-yard reception at the Saints’ 34-yard line. That basically ended the game; New Orleans just had to kneel down and run the clock out. This whole sequence is where Romo’s enthusiasm *really* came out.
While Romo’s football enthusiasm may seem over the top to some viewers, it’s very genuine and he adds in excellent, reasonable analysis to go with it.
Twitter had mostly positive things to say about the former Dallas Cowboys quarterback’s energetic commentary on Sunday.
I wish I loved anything as much as Tony Romo loves this Saints vs. Steelers game
— Greg Wyshynski (@wyshynski) December 24, 2018
Consider me very excited for Screaming Tony Romo Super Bowl Color Commentator
— Robert O'Neill (@RobertONeill31) December 24, 2018
tony romo the entire fourth quarter pic.twitter.com/sgIbHt3sxk
— Bill Hanstock (@sundownmotel) December 24, 2018
Tony Romo after ordering a dozen wings: THEY ACCIDENTALLY GAVE ME 13!
— Dan Kadar (@ByDanKadar) December 24, 2018
Tony Romo really likes football
— Jason Kirk (buy my novel) (@JasonKirk_fyi) December 24, 2018
Tony Romo is phenomenal at this. I would pay $49.99 every month to listen to Gus Johnson and Tony Romo do a game together. MAKE IT HAPPEN, WORLD.
— Christopher Crawford (@Crawford_MILB) December 24, 2018
Tony Romo sounds like he’s about to deliver a baby.
— Maury Brown (@BizballMaury) December 24, 2018
Tony Romo is probably (definitely) the best commentator in the NFL right now and you’re just a hater if you don’t like him. It is what it is.
— Brooklyn (@Brookie425) December 24, 2018
https://twitter.com/RobertZeglinski/status/1077002549960630272
Hearing Tony Romo call this game is like listening to a kid open presents on Christmas. Pure authentic joy #NOvsPIT
— Patrick Kettler (@thenotorious989) December 24, 2018
Tony Romo’s announcing of the Juju fumble made my night pic.twitter.com/PF4hoSy3TK
— Connor Wolf (@ConnorWolf12) December 24, 2018
About Matt Clapp
Matt is an editor/writer at The Comeback and Awful Announcing.
He can be reached by email at mclapp@thecomeback.com.