Mike Sherman has found his calling, and the Green Bay Packers have rediscovered their rhythm.
With their coach-general manager directing the offense for the second straight game, the Packers scored on their first seven possessions to thrash the Dallas Cowboys 41-20 Sunday.
The Packers (3-4) snapped a three-game losing streak at Lambeau Field and Brett Favre beat the Cowboys (2-4) for just the second time in 10 tries despite jamming his right wrist early in the game.
Sherman called the game with offensive coordinator Tom Rossley, still weak from heart surgery, offering advice from the coaches box.
Just about everything he called caught the Cowboys off-guard.
Favre threw two touchdown passes, Ahman Green ran for his first two TDs since the season opener, Ryan Longwell kicked two field goals and the halfback option pass produced points for the second straight week.
"It's not easy, it's a grind," said Sherman, who directed the Packers to 31 points and 343 yards last week at Detroit when they snapped a four-game losing streak. "It helps that Tom Rossley did a great job in a supporting cast. The halfback pass was his call."
It was another masterpiece as Green Bay gained 480 yards and punter Bryan Barker wasn't needed until 91/2 minutes were left.
"I can't say Mike calling the plays has been the reason for our success, but it's been a fun two weeks," right tackle Mark Tauscher said. "I think we've gotten in a good rhythm with Mike calling the plays."
Green, who has not been speaking to the media, ended a monthlong funk by rushing for 163 yards, including a 90-yard score in the third quarter that was the longest Dallas had ever surrendered. He became the second player in NFL history with two career touchdown runs of at least 90 yards, joining Bo Jackson, who did it in 1987.
Green, who had a 98-yarder last December, also set a franchise record with his 27th 100-yard game, breaking Jim Taylor's record.
In between Longwell's first-half field goals of 26 and 40 yards, Green scored on a 1-yard run and Javon Walker (eight catches for 129 yards) caught a 5-yard TD pass as the Packers took a 20-6 halftime lead.
Tony Fisher's first NFL toss found Bubba Franks alone in the end zone to make it 27-6 in the third quarter.
Cowboys safety Roy Williams apologized to the offense, the coaches and the fans for Dallas' dismal defense.
"Sometimes we don't fight," he said. "That's discouraging. It's sad. There are no excuses for the way we played today."
Tight end Jason Witten (eight catches for 112 yards) blew past cornerback Al Harris and caught a 42-yard touchdown pass from Vinny Testaverde that made it 27-13 and gave the Cowboys hope for their first win at Lambeau Field in five tries.
But the Packers quickly responded with Favre's 33-yard TD toss to Donald Driver to make it 34-13.
"This is certainly the low point for me in my tenure here in Dallas, without question," said Cowboys coach Bill Parcells, in his second year with the team. "I am embarrassed to put a team on the field that looks like that. If we don't play better on defense than we did today, we don't have a chance to win another game. We don't have a chance right now. We really don't."
As for the job Sherman did, "I don't even know who is calling the plays," Parcells said. "I don't pay attention to that. They look pretty good with the guy playing quarterback they've got."
Favre completed 23 of 29 passes for 258 yards.
"The offense made our job a lot easier," said nose tackle Grady Jackson, whose return from a knee injury plugged a gaping hole in Green Bay's defensive line. "We had a great time today. And hopefully, this will give us confidence to get on a 19- or 20-game roll like the Patriots."
That's getting way ahead of themselves, but the Packers did avoid their first 0-4 start at home since 1986.
"I never thought I'd feel so good winning at home," Hannibal Navies said.
NOTES: Packers S Darren Sharper sprained his left knee and will get an MRI on Monday. Packers RG Marco Rivera sprained an ankle. ... The Packers, who turned the ball over 14 times in their first five games, didn't have a turnover for the second straight week. ... Quincy Morgan, acquired from Cleveland last week, had four catches for 76 yards but pulled a hamstring, and Dallas WR Terry Glenn aggravated a sprained right foot.
