Once again, the Dallas Cowboys are losing football games in December, but this season the blame game isn't quite as simple as pinning the tail on the quarterback. Although third-down conversions continue to be an issue for Tony Romo and his offense, give the Cowboys play-caller some much deserved credit for taking excellent control of the football.

One of the biggest local sports-talk radio themes of the offseason centered around a loud clamoring for Romo to scale back on what is often perceived as his wild, gun-slinging, play-making nature in favor of a more conservative ball-protection, caretaker vibe. Many fans were certain that "Evel Knievel" Romo driving the kids to school in the bus instead of jumping over 10 of them on a tricked-up stunt motorcycle would be a recipe for success.

Romo got the message. He came into this season ready to prove that he could take his game to the next level by doing a better job of protecting the ball. Following his worst game of the season -- the home-opener loss to the New York Giants in which he threw three interceptions -- he indicated that the performance would be an aberration at season's end and asked to be judged on his whole body of work. As that body stands just three games away from completion, it's clear that he was right.

Romo missed three games because of injury last season and finished with 14 interceptions in 13 games. He's cut that number in half through 13 games this year with just seven picks, including one that bounced off of Jason Witten's shoe. His overall fumbles are down as well, from five to two. His lost fumbles have dropped from three to one. And he's only getting better.

In four December contests last season, Romo threw five touchdowns and was intercepted six times. Through two games this month, he's thrown five touchdowns without a single interception.

Since his poor outing in Week 2 against the Giants, Romo has thrown 18 touchdowns and just four interceptions while averaging close to 280 passing yards per contest. Friends, that is flat-out elite quarterbacking.

Those of us searching high and low for answers as to why the Cowboys aren't winning games in December once again can go ahead and scratch quarterback play off of the blame list. Romo is doing exactly what we all have asked him to do -- protecting the football.