Sports media personality Stephen A. Smith has been one of the biggest critics of the Dallas Cowboys. And during Friday’s episode of ESPN’s First Take, he had to hear some bold predictions for the NFC East franchise.

On ESPN’s First Take, Ryan Clark went on with his positive projections for Dak Prescott and company.

"First off, the Dallas Cowboys had a great draft and an amazing offseason, and we know that Schotty is a big-time coach,” Clark said. “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."

Smith has long been vocal about his dislike for the Cowboys. And listened through the entire thing with a deadpan face.

Clark clearly aimed the statement at Smith, teasing that he would be 'sad' if the team he dislikes most made the playoffs.

“Because he's [Smith] going to be waiting until the playoffs for the worst thing to happen to the worst team that he hates the most," Clark added.

Ryan Clark predicted the Dallas Cowboys to finish 12-5 under Brian Schottenheimer in his second year as head coach. That record would give the Cowboys a 70.6% winning percentage.

Prescott completed 404 for 600 passes, throwing for 4,552 yards and 30 touchdowns in 2025. Despite such production, the team missed the playoffs at 7-9-1 largely due to defensive shortcomings.

With Dak Prescott thriving and the defense revamped, the Cowboys enter 2026 with playoff hopes despite a brutal early schedule.

Cowboys’ Brutal 2026 Schedule Could Test Playoff Expectations

While the Cowboys felt confident about their defensive overhaul after using five of their seven draft picks on drafting defensive players, the brutal schedule could hurt their playoff expectations.

"After facing the New York Giants and Washington Commanders, the Cowboys will embark on a three-game stretch in just 11 days," Adam Schultz of Roundtable Sports reported May 15. "That sounds tough enough, but context is key, and it only makes it worse for the Cowboys."

The team kicks off Week 3 against the Ravens in Brazil on September 27, before traveling to Houston to face the Texans on October 4 and then the Buccaneers with a four-day gap on October 8. 

The Cowboys have no scheduled bye week until Week 14, playing 13 straight games before getting a rest.

If the Cowboys survive that demanding early stretch, then Ryan Clark’s bold playoff prediction may not look unrealistic after all. What are your thoughts? Let us know in the comments.

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Written by

Archana Ramakrishnan

Edited by

Shubhi Rathore