Emmit Smith vs Barry Sanders: The Ultimate NFL Rivalry 

In 1995 the Dallas offense had more Pro Bowlers on offense than Barry had for his entire career. You need more than two good OL to make a good OL. And btw, Lomas Brown is not in Canton. He was drafted in 1985 and was never selected to the Pro Bowl until after Barry arrived. When Barry ran for 2,000 yards in 1997 Brown had already left as a free agent to the Cardinals. The Cowboys had a HOF QB, a HOF HC, a HOF WR and a Top 5 defense and the best blocking FB in Moose Johnston, not to mention one of the greatest OL ever. Emmitt landed at the perfect place at the perfect time and to his credit he made the absolute most of it. But he wasn't Barry. Barry was simply better.

Just watch the tape and you can tell who was better. It’s Barry and it’s not close.

Barry, Walter and Jim Brown are all better than Emmitt.

@@timdoyle1638 Your a clown dude, how about you watch some games. Barry is a legend, no doubt but just becsuse you have a flashy running style doesn't mean your better. Clearly Sanders didn't have the heart Smith had to make him the best.

Facts

and lets not forget the bias of hate towards anything cowboys

Emmitt had better line qb defensive offi

Smith better line better qb better tight end wide receiver better coach and better defensive

@@cornellthorpe4028 ok that same TE, wide receiver, Quarterback and defense your speaking about went 1-15 in 1989 before emmitt smith got there. Emmit smith was a huge reason why the cowboys improved the next year and so on.

@@eli-rt4wm let me educate you for a min know it's when Dallas trade Herschel walker for 3first round 3 second round a a fourth fifth and a bunch of players that's was the biggest trade in NFL history go look it up

​​@@eli-rt4wm 1989 was the first year under Jimmie Johnson who was starting a rookie Quarterback, rookie #1 receiver, rookie starting fullback, and two rookie lineman at center and guard. The jump in progression from rookie to second year for those starting players as well as the jump from rookie to second year head coach played a huge role in the Cowboys jump from 1-15 to 9-7. Not to mention the defense improved 10 spots from 24tg points against to 14th between 89 and 90. Yes drafting Smith obviously helped, he's a great player. However her was only part of a cast of hall of Fame and perennial pro bowl players that surrounded him and an offensive line that consistently opened up holes you could drive a truck through. Just look at the tape. Most of Emmit Smiths highlights he's not even touched until 4 yards past the line of scrimmage and doesn't even have to make much of a move sideways to gain big chunks of yards. Only delusional Cowboy fans think Emmit Smith is the greatest running back of all time. It's entertaining to watch y'all embarrass yourselves with pride. Emmit Smith is not even top 5. Barry Sanders is unquestionably the goat.

Agreed, and easily proven. Swap players and tell me if the Lions win Superbowl's with Smith... cowboys mighta won 8 with Barry

Easily proven ? Nah...Logical Cowboy has a RU-vid channel and recently went over this subject in detail. It is a myth that Barry played behind a bad offensive line and team. They made the playoffs 5 times during his career and even knocked the Cowboys out in 1991. Emmitt was so good he elevated those around him to a higher level. He just wasn't quite as pretty as Barry while running. But I'll take the championships and records over poetry in motion any day. Checkout the Logical Cowboy video on it@@skyzach9586

@@skyzach9586Total Bullchit. Emmit smith was way better in the playoffs than Sanders because he didn’t dance. Emmitt Smith's post season stats are way better than Sanders. Barry Sanders repeatedly choked in the playoffs because the dancing didn't work against great defensive teams. Emmitt Smith was the biggest reason the Cowboys won 3 super Bowls because he did everything....including being an effective pass blocker.

Emmitt already admitted that Barry was better. Also, Emmitt didn't have to dance because he had the best offensive line in history.

@henrywallacesghost5883 fun fact about that offensive line: Emmitt Smith won his 1st rushing title in 1991. During that same season, that "greatest offensive line in history" gave up 11 sacks to the Philadelphia Eagles in a 24-0 loss. That vaunted offensive line of the cowboys were all journeymen and nobodies until Emmitt started winning rushing titles. The offensive line argument is an excuse to try and move the goalposts in this debate. Barry Sanders was a way more exciting runner than Emmitt.....But Smith had an undoubtedly better career.

From 1987 to 1996 NFC East won 6 of the 10 Super Bowls.

Talking out of BOTH sides of your mouth. BARRY is GOAT. (WITHOUT a great offensive Line.)

I guess it's because Emmitt beat his rushing record, but there's nothing better than watching sweetness in the 80s!

3 super bowls, not even close.

#HE-DID

Stop f'ing DRINKING.

Yeah…except Emmitt was the engine that made the Cowboys offense go. 1993 proved they couldn’t win without him.

Name me the playoff game that Emmitt Smith ran 13 times for -1 yard????? If Barry shows up in that playoff game against a 9-7 Packers team do you think they would have won?

I actually agree with that my friend!

Would a Walter Payton video be something you guys would like?

@@NFLHardCountOfficial…..sure. But I gotta be honest….I think I have seen all his highlight reel type of plays. Lol

Too bad Bo Jackson's career was cut short. Imagine a 10 year career playing fulltime...Oh, my God! Excellent analogy by the way.

@@ivanalban5037 Good point! Bo Jackson was a legitimate freak of nature!

Bo Jackson is a great choice! I would have loved to see how he would have finished his career if he didn't get injured. One of the best 2-sport athletes ever!

Its the other way around. The Dallas Cowboys were 1-15 the year before they drafted Emmitt Smith. Emmitt won his 1st rushing title in his 2nd season which was 1991.

I agree. If Barry Sanders played longer, there's no doubt that he would have the rushing record!

Name this great offensive line. He ran behind them for 15 years? Didn't have an All Pro Lineman till 1993(Erik Williams). None of them were Pro Bowlers before Emmitt got there.

Mr Rose, I have always said I wonder what it would be like if they switched O lines?

I say Barry is better myself. But I remember watching them on Thanksgiving. Madden and pat summeral ( God bless there souls.) And John mentioned that. Pat said what if Sanders had the Dallas o line. John said," Barry may not be as good with the cowboys line. Because they may just get in his way." Haha 🤣🤣

Im so sick of this arguement go look at who Emmitt ran behind. Look where they came from , it wasnt like Emmitt ran behind 5 HOFERS

So why the Lions had better winning record without Barry than the Cowboys had without Emmitt. Alot u guys can't separate excited for content

Lol, @akvalues I agree with you. Barry was doing all of that magic with a pretty rough O-Line. Emmitt had a great O-Line who made his career a little easier than Barry's time in Detroit!

Barry Sanders once rushed 13 times for -1 yard in a playoff loss to the green bay packers in 1994

Bro, Emmitt was a better player.

Barry can clean Emmitt's rings

The 1990's Dallas Cowboys almost always lost when Emmitt Smith didn't play. This argument has never worked. The 1993 Dallas Cowboys were 0-2 without Emmitt Smith. With Smith in the lineup the Dallas Cowboys had a 15-2 record in 1993 and won their 2nd straight Super Bowl. Emmitt Smith was the 1993 MVP and the MVP of Super Bowl 28.

Wrong

Such a weak argument. Do some research before you type next time.

​@@user-dm4yk5le4vthey repeat the same narrative

Not really true. Emmitt often created his own lanes and ran over people where Barry often ran around players. Two completely different styles. And as far as O-lines, Barry had a very good line as well. Glover and Lomas Brown were perennial all stars.

Ridiculous comparison. I'll take the 164 rushing touchdowns and winning season. Emmitt was a better player.

And you don't think the offensive lines had anything to do with that?

@@curtiskellam5358 ok you wanna talk olines? LT (1986 to 1997 ) for the cowboys Mark Tuneii was a former d lineman turned LT at the nfl level who came into the nfl as a UDFA and only had 2 pro bowls over his career LT/G (98-02 during Emmitt's career ) Flozell Adams (2nd rnd pick cowboys) 0 probowls with Emmitt LG /T Nate Newton (86-98) was a UDFA of the Redskins who got cut made 5 probowls C Mark Stepnoski (90-94 , 99-01) 3rd pick in 89 was considered undersized made 3 probowls as a cowboy C Ray Donaldson (95,96) FA made 2 probowls ( 2rd round pick by Colts in 1980) so was in his 15 and 16th years as a pro C Clay Shiver (97-98) 0 probowls (3rd pick ) RG John Gesek FA ( drafted 10th round by raiders 1987 ) (90-93 cowboys ) 0 probowls RG Kevin Gogan 8rd pick by cowboys in 87 (87-93) on and off starter 1 pro bowl with Cowboys G/T Larry Allen 2nd round pick maybe best offensive lineman ever (94-2005 ) HOF RT Erik Williams (92-2000) 3rd pick of cowboys 4 pro bowls RT Soloman Page (99-02) 2nd pick of cowboys 0 pro bowls so cowboys only drafted 3 of the linemen Emmitt ran behind during his prime, nothing higher then 2rd pick, most of the O line was UDFAs, FAs from other teams who were late round draft picks ( 8th /10 rounds) others werent worth mentioning. But when it comes to O line no one gives credit to the RB or blame to the RB for their performances. But all credit is given to the o line of the cowboys and non to Emmitt. IF a running back cant find the hole, have the right patience and acceleration threw the hole or set up the hole by the way they approach the LOS on the play to influence the way the defensive reacts then the RB and O line both look bad. Emmitt had great vision, patience, acceleration threw the hole, balance and broke so many tackles between the tackles. Barry played with some Probowlers on the O line and a board line HOF at LT . I am not taking away barry's talent or skill . but 99 rushing tds to 164. No once questions Jerry Rice as the greatest WR with all of his stats even though he played on stacked teams with 2 HOF QBs let alone the rest of the HOFers he played with. The only one who gets questioned is Emmitt. Tom Brady is the greatest QB ever right? despite lack of arm talent that clearly most legendary QBs are better then he is. but take what he did with all his regular season stats , post season and sb and no one argues. If Tom Brady is greatest cuz of 7 superbowls then why isnt Emmitt for his 3 and everything else he did?

coulda shoulda woulda

Then still have the most negative yards with all that dancing in the backfield.

Yessir he was. He got it done in the big games. He wasn't as pretty as Barry when running but he got the job done. He elevated those around him to a higher level.

And the 🐐

Barry would have suffered a career ending injury in his first season when the Cowboys were 1-15 and Emmitt would have led the Lions to multiple Super Bowls. Look, I can make up hypotheticals too.