Good offense from Romo, bad defense in general leave Cowboys wondering where they stand

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo (9) attempts to fight off a sack by Denver Broncos' Shaun Phillips (90) late in the fourth quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 6, 2013, in Arlington, Texas. The Broncos won 51-48. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez) (The Associated Press)

Denver Broncos tight end Julius Thomas, left, is tackled by Dallas Cowboys free safety Barry Church during the third quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 6, 2013, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez) (The Associated Press)

Tony Romo displayed all that can be good about the Dallas offense in a 51-48 loss to Denver. The Cowboys defense is another story.

Romo had the first 500-yard passing game in team history and threw for five scores, but it still wasn't enough to end a 15-game winning streak in the regular season for Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos.

The Cowboys have allowed 400-yard games to Manning, Philip Rivers and Drew Brees in the past seven games dating to last season. And that's even after a defensive overhaul.

It leaves them wondering where they stand after falling to 2-3 with Washington's Robert Griffin III returning Sunday after he embarrassed Dallas on Thanksgiving a year ago.