Sherman Keeps Making All the Right Calls

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 consecutive game, the Packers scored on their first seven possessions to beat the Dallas Cowboys, 41-20, Sunday.

The Packers (3-4) ended a three-game skid at Lambeau Field and Brett Favre beat the Cowboys (2-4) for only 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 Sherman called caught the Cowboys off-guard.

Favre threw two touchdown passes, Ahman Green ran for his first two touchdowns since the season opener, Ryan Longwell kicked two field goals and the halfback option pass produced points for the second consecutive 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. “It helps that Tom Rossley did a great job in a supporting cast. The halfback pass was his call.”

Green Bay had 480 yards and punter Bryan Barker wasn’t needed until 9 1/2 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-yard touchdown return in 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 one-yard run and Javon Walker (eight catches for 129 yards) caught a five-yard touchdown pass to help the Packers lead at halftime, 20-6.

Cowboy 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.”

Favre completed 23 of 29 passes for 258 yards.