NFL: Rodgers throws 3 TDs, Packers rout Cowboys 45-7

By Chris Jenkins

Associated Press

Published: Sunday, Nov. 7 2010 9:50 p.m. MST

Summary

Every time it seemed as though the Dallas Cowboys hit a new low point, Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers knocked them down another notch.

GREEN BAY, Wis. — Every time it seemed as though the Dallas Cowboys hit a new low point, Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers knocked them down another notch.

Rodgers threw for 289 yards and three touchdowns, Brandon Jackson scored twice and the Packers routed the free-falling Cowboys 45-7 on Sunday night.

It was a new bottom in a lost season for the Cowboys (1-7), who came into 2010 with Super Bowl aspirations. And it's sure to kick off a new round of speculation about the future of coach Wade Phillips, despite recent statements from team owner Jerry Jones that a midseason firing was unlikely.

James Jones caught eight passes for 123 yards and a touchdown for the Packers (6-3), who have won three straight.

Green Bay's Clay Matthews added a final dose of embarrassment in the fourth quarter, picking off a pass from Jon Kitna and running it back 62 yards for a touchdown.

Dallas fell behind 28-0 late in the second quarter, giving up three long touchdown drives before fumbling away a kickoff that was returned for a TD by Nick Collins.

Return man Bryan McCann appeared to be down before he gave the ball away — but the Cowboys didn't have any timeouts left, so they weren't able to challenge the call.

It was just another misstep in a colossal downward spiral for the Cowboys.

Meanwhile, the Packers continued to show how a team with Super Bowl expectations is supposed to handle a disappointing start to the season.

Green Bay has won three in a row opening 3-3, including an emotional Sunday night home win over Brett Favre and the Minnesota Vikings followed by a 9-0 road shutout of the New York Jets last week. Beating the talented but troubled Cowboys gives the Packers another boost of momentum heading into their bye week.

About the only serious mistake for the Packers was a personal foul penalty on Collins, flagged for a helmet-to-helmet hit on Cowboys receiver Roy Williams in the third quarter. Collins could be in line for additional punishment as the NFL cracks down on illegal hits this season.

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