Dallas Cowboys fans and Stephen A. Smith have one of the more infamous love-hate relationships in NFL lore. Super Bowl champion safety and ESPN analyst Ryan Clark had one pro-Cowboys take on Friday's episode of ESPN's First Take, and he made sure Smith heard him loud and clear.
The former NFL safety was on the air, predicting that the Cowboys would finish as a playoff team with Dak Prescott playing at an MVP level. As always, Smith smirked to show his hilarious disappointment with the Cowboys.
"First off, the Dallas Cowboys had a great draft and an amazing offseason, and we know that Schotty is a big-time coach... The team is going to finish 12-5. They're going to be in the playoffs. Dak Prescott is going to be an MVP candidate, and Stephen A. is going to be sad because he's going to be waiting until the playoffs for the worst thing to happen to the worst team that he hates the most."
Ryan Clark says Cowboys will be in the playoffs and Dak Prescott will be at MVP level
To sweeten the pot and see Smith having to listen to a pro-Cowboys take is as great as it gets for Cowboys fans. Smith has been a walking meme trolling the Cowboys for a long time, and he may have to concede to Clark's point here.
Obviously, there's still a long way to go before we get into the thick of things, and it's a long season of punishing hits, but on paper, this Cowboys team already looks like a step up from a year ago.
It's clear that all the Cowboys need to compete is consistent defense. Christian Parker can get that down with his new assets and this rookie class. If Caleb Downs can look like a Defensive Rookie of the Year candidate, it's already a win. Even if he doesn't take home the award, it shows Parker is moving this team in the right direction.
As for the MVP discussion, this is about the best we have seen from Dak Prescott, as he's been a top-tier quarterback since the 2022 season. In 2024, Prescott played eight games due to injury, but once George Pickens became a part of the formula last season, it's safe to say that's only elevated his MVP status.
For at least a No. 20 defense last year, the Cowboys could've easily been a playoff team, and Prescott's chances of winning MVP would've skyrocketed. The closest he got was in 2023, right behind Lamar Jackson.
The only thing that has screwed the Cowboys is a brutal early stretch where they have to play a game overseas in Week 3, come back to play a noon game for Week 4, and then play a Thursday night game for Week 5.
Other than that, the Cowboys have what it takes to prove Clark's point and get back to the playoffs for the first time since 2023.
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