Stephen A. Smith rolls eyes in disgust and left with head in hands after First Take guest makes bold Dak Prescott call
STEPHEN A. Smith just rolled his eyes on First Take when ESPN analyst Gary Striewski picked Dak Prescott as the most likely NFL quarterback to beat Kansas City Chiefs star Patrick Mahomes.
Striewski, 37, knew his prediction could expose himself to Smith's wrath knowing the outspoken sportscaster's dislike for the Dallas Cowboys.
But he brought up some stats that hugely helped him make the case for Prescott, 31.
Striewski mentioned that Dallas was the NFL's highest-scoring offense last season.
He noted that Prescott had a better completion percentage completion (68) than Mahomes (67), the same number of passing touchdowns (105), and threw one less interception (38) than the Chiefs star.
"I have to preface this with understanding that this is my first time on First Take, and what I'm about to say could very well mean this is my last take on First Take," Striewski began.
READ MORE ON THE NFL
The ESPN analyst added he was taking the importance of divisions and conferences out of the equation.
When Striewski mentioned Prescott's name, First Take producers immediately switched to a view of Stephen A., 56, wary that the show's star's reaction would be priceless.
And they got what they wanted with Smith caught sighing and rolling his eyes upon hearing Prescott's name.
He then buried his head in his hands.
Most read in American Football
Striewski noted that the scenario involved one playoff game, meaning a Super Bowl matchup between the Cowboys and Chiefs.
That condition took Dallas' poor postseason record in the last decades out of consideration.
"Stephen A., I know you're about to unleash fury on me," Striewski added.
"But we are in the financial capital of the world, people, and what we need to remember here is past production does not predicate future success or performance."
Striewski also emphasized the Cowboys' defensive prowess with All-Pro linebacker Micah Parsons on the roster.
"The San Francisco 49ers failed twice in the Super Bowl to [stop Mahomes], but the Cowboys can do it," he continued.
NFL important dates
August 1 - Hall of Fame Game - Houston Texans vs Chicago Bears
August 8 - Pre-season begins
August 27 - Deadline for 53-man rosters
September 1 - Final day of pre-season
September 5 - Season opener - Baltimore Ravens vs Kansas City Chiefs
November 5 - Trade deadline
January 5 - Week 18 of regular-season
January 11 - Playoffs begin
February 9 - Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans, Louisiana
"They are the one team that ranked top five in offensive production and defensive production in the NFL last season.
"That I think has a true shot to stop a Patrick Mahomes-led Kansas City Chiefs team. That's my take.
"Stephen A., if you want me to leave, I know where the door's at and I can certainly do that, but you'll just have a ton more air to fill."
Dallas finished the regular season with a 12-5 record three years in a row.
But the farthest the Cowboys went in the postseason was the divisional round in the 2023 playoffs when they out with a 19-12 loss to the San Francisco 49ers.
Mahomes has a 1-0 record against Prescott, beating his Cowboys 19-9 during the 2021 season.
Read More on The US Sun
Meanwhile, Prescott is yet to get a contract extension from the team.
The quarterback is in the final year of his deal, set to earn him $29 million for the 2024 season.