Emmitt Smith Reveals Expectations For Dallas Cowboys And His Thoughts On Dak Prescott

Emmitt Smith was the face of the Dallas Cowboys when they last won a Super Bowl.

It’s been 28 years since the Cowboys last hoisted the Lombardi Trophy. Smith was still at his peak during that 1995 season, leading the league in rushing for a fourth time while also notching his sixth consecutive Pro Bowl bid and his fourth First-Team All-Pro selection.

It’s no coincidence that was the last time Dallas made a deep playoff run, having failed to advance past the divisional round of the playoffs since that very season.

However, this year’s Cowboys team could be different from all of the others that came up drastically short of expectations. At 9-3, this Dallas team has the feel of one that can finally shake the memory of all of those prior Cowboys squads in recent years that came up short in the playoffs.

While speaking about his partnership and upcoming commercial with Bud Light featuring himself and Peyton Manning, the Cowboys legend chimed in with some thoughts on this year’s squad along with his expectations for both the team and quarterback Dak Prescott.

“I think this is the year that we must make giant strides in terms of not only being able to go deeper into the playoffs, but to really maximize the talent we currently have,” said Smith prior to the team’s 41-35 victory over the Seattle Seahawks.

The Prescott-led Cowboys have always been a playoff contender; however, they’ve failed to establish themselves as true Super Bowl contenders since he became the starting quarterback in 2016.

Despite featuring some of the most talented rosters over the years, Dallas has consistently come up short. While the Cowboys have gone to the playoffs four times with Prescott at quarterback — including as the No. 1 seed back in 2016 — they’ve gone 2-4 in the postseason, with two one-and-done playoff appearances.

Smith explains that this core — featuring longtime players such as Prescott, Tyron Smith, 33-year-old Zack Martin and 31-year-old DeMarcus Lawrence — are getting older and that the window is only getting smaller with each passing year.

“You only have so much of a window,” explains Smith. “I mean players are getting long in the tooth, quality players too. We think about players that are over 30 or players that are pushing right at 28, 29. Those players are getting a little up there in age and so you only have a window of opportunity to do such before the team itself has to find themselves rebuilding or replacing and everybody that they replaced, someone may not come with the same level of fire or the same level of vigor of the player that you just lost.”

Smith stressed urgency when it comes to the Cowboys winning this year.

“We have to take advantage of the moments that we have and often times as players, we have a tendency to think that ‘OK, we’ll get it next year,’” said Smith. “No, next year is not promised. And so you have to take advantage of the opportunity when you have it.”

Following their thrilling Week 13 victory over the Seahawks — one that featured a fourth quarter comeback led by Prescott — Dallas now holds a 9-3 record, the second-best record in the NFL, behind their NFC East rivals, the 10-1 Philadelphia Eagles.

While the Cowboys certainly showed their resiliency in overcoming a late deficit, they still don’t appear to be getting the same amount of respect as elite teams such as the Philadelphia Eagles and San Francisco 49ers. That is likely due to the fact that the Cowboys lost both of their earlier matchups against their NFC rivals.

Although Dallas was soundly defeated by San Francisco in their Week 5 matchup — they lost 42-10 — they’ve come a long way since then. They’re 6-1 and came a few yards short of defeating the Eagles in their 28-23 loss to them in Week 9.

The Cowboys are averaging 36.2 points per game since their loss to San Francisco, posting at least 40 points on four different occasions. The next closest team during that span is the Baltimore Ravens with 30.7 points per game.

By comparison, the Cowboys averaged 26.8 points per game during their first five games of the season.

“I think the offense is starting to show a little bit more dynamics, a little bit more diversity instead of being stagnant like it was early on against the San Francisco 49ers,” observed Smith.

A key to Dallas’ improved offensive output is not only due to Prescott’s recent level of play — he’s averaged 316.8 passing yards per game with 20 touchdowns, two interceptions and an 82.5 quarterback rating since Week 8 — it’s the team’s efficiency in the red zone.

After ranking within the bottom five in red zone offense prior to Week 6, the Cowboys have made strides as of late, ranking No. 13 in red zone efficiency over their past three games.

Smith notices the improvements during head coach Mike McCarthy’s first season as the offensive play-caller following Kellen Moore’s departure.

“I see a level of continuity starting to take place,” said Smith. “I think Mike McCarthy has opened up the offense a little bit and creating a little more diversification with the offense and making sure that some key players are touching the football. Players like CeeDee Lamb, Tony Pollard and the tight ends are stepping up and doing a great job.

Smith believes how McCarthy’s offensive leadership is allowing Prescott to become a better quarterback. Prescott currently leads the league in touchdown passes, ranks second in passer rating and is third in passing yards.

“I think McCarthy expanding the offense only is going to help Dak Prescott become a better quarterback,” says Smith. “Not only that, it’s going to help the players be in a position to make plays because the ball has been moved around to various players.”

McCarthy’s play-calling, Prescott’s play and the Cowboys being matured and seasoned should lead to a deep playoff run, says Smith.

“I really do believe this is Dak’s time,” said Smith. “And I think it’s that team’s time. I think it’s McCarthy’s time to really bring his offensive coordinator creativity to the table. It’s going to be tough, but this is where we should be getting built tough. Ready to go into the playoffs with the mentality that we’re ready now. We’re physically ready, we’re mentally ready, and we’re emotionally ready.”