Cowboys looking like broken record after latest failure in win-or-go-home season finale

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo (9) pauses during a media availability after an NFL football game against the Washington Redskins Monday, Dec. 31, 2012, in Landover, Md. The Redskins won 28-18, securing a playoff berth. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) (The Associated Press)

Dallas Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett talks with quarterback Tony Romo (9) during the second half of an NFL football game against the Washington Redskins Sunday, Dec. 30, 2012, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Richard Lipski) (The Associated Press)

IRVING, Texas – Tony Romo sat alone on the Dallas bench, his stare frozen at the ground on a cold night in Washington.

Any number of things could have been going through the mind of the Cowboys quarterback in the final minutes of a 28-18 loss to the Redskins on Sunday night. It was his third playoffs-or-bust failure in five years in a finale against an NFC East rival.

Romo's late interception helped Washington clinch the win, six years after his famous flub on what could have been the game-winning field goal in his first playoff game in 2006.

Tight end Jason Witten's declaration in training camp that it "can't be the same story" proved haunting. A year ago, the Cowboys lost to the New York Giants in the same scenario.