Emmitt Smith vs. Barry Sanders Monday Night Showdown | NFL Vault Stories 

Always loved watching Barry Sanders run the ball!

Barry was an unbelievable talent. Alot of players have his shiftiness, but his central core and lower body strength are second too none. His field vision in cat like. It was an absolute treat to watch him as a kid.

I'm from Detroit I remember feeling sick to my stomach when Barry retired, really the world had came to an end, it was 10 times worse than LeBron leaving the cavs!

Whether you like Barry or Emmit more, this was probably the greatest NFL game displaying the top 2 runningbacks at their best.

I'm a diehard Cowboys fan and love Emmitt but I was a huge Barry Sanders fan! He's my all-time favorite nfl player no doubts about that! Very memorable game!

Barry was so ahead of his time! Literally a video game running back!

I remember watching this game. Loved both these backs. If Sanders played for a real team he would've had multiple Superbowls

Barry is the best and most dangerous back I've seen in the last 25 years.

I love both of them. But I gotta give it to Barry🤔

One of the first games Barry played, the opposing team complained that his suit had some kind of silicone slippery spray on his suit. That is a real compliment. And other teams would joke enjoying playing against the Lions so they could watch Barry run. It was fun watch him play. He would lose 5-10 yards then break one for 40-50 yards. But it was sad because owner Ford got very little support for him on the line. I have never seen anyone have "all of the right moves" like Mr. Sanders.

Brings back fond memories when I was a kid/teenager in the 90's and every Thanksgiving we would go to my grandma's house out in the country. Sitting on the couch with my little brothers, my dad and uncles with bellies full of Turkey watching these 2 legends play for a decade. Thanks for the trip down memory lane! Good times!

A 1,000 years from now Barry Sanders will still be hands down the greatest RB of all time.

The Lions abused and wasted Sanders. So sad.

Lol on almost all of Smiths big runs he goes untouched for 15-20 yards. Meanwhile Barry had to break at least 2 tackles or make multiple guys miss to get more than a 10 yard run.

Emmitt had a competitive drive that was immeasurable! He was not as naturally gifted as Barry Sanders but he was driven to be the best! I think Emmitt would have played longer if Barry had not retired because he wanted all the records to validate his career!

Barry Sanders is my all time favorite halfback ever

Barry Sanders the best RB I've seen by far

I am so lucky to have witnessed both of these backs in their prime. There will never be another Barry Sanders.

For the running back position Barry Sanders is truly the greatest there has ever been he is the only guy in history to rush for 1100 yards in 10 consecutive seasons and he is the only guy to rush for at least 100 yards in 14 consecutive games

As a Giants fan, I can tell you both were great. Smith was always breaking things open for the Cowboys. He and Aikman tortured Giants fans. Sanders was obviously one of the most elusive and explosive running backs ever. To say one is greater than the other is pointless and a conversation for schoolyard banter. Facts tell us both were at the top of the game all time.

Barry is the greatest to lace them up

The difference was Barry would run around you and Emmit would run through you. Barry had the speed and Emmit had the torque. I'm glad I got to see 2 of the best rbs that ever played the game.

Barry is the greatest to ever it do it, college then the pro’s!!! The greatest football player ever!!!

Barry was the man! Sure wish he had a better team around him to get that ring!

I love the way Barry Sanders run the ball he make look so easy

Barry was so amazing at being able to absorb contact, break loose and keep running hard but Emmitt had that stutter step delay and then accelerate down and it was bananas. Two of the greatest RB's of all time. Emmitt was my personal fave.

I saw this game live..one i will never forget. amazing rushing by both guys.

Imagine Sanders with that Dallas Offensive line. I’m thinking 3000 yards and 40 tds

Barry was on another level. Him and Gale Sayers are the greatest running backs ever

That was when football was football!

Life long Lions fan here, we don't have championships we have Champions.

there is nothing to debate..even though Emmitt was a great running back, Barry by far is the better of the two..😆👍👍

I have to say, even as a Cowboys fan, Barry had to do much more against tougher defenses, including Dallas's.The Lions weren't very strong defensively back in the 90s so Barry was the anchor of the ENTIRE team.

Barry is the better running back its just Emmitt played longer ,I really think Barry would be the goat if he didn't retire early

I remember that game when I was in the seventh grade. My dad let me stay up and finish watching the game. I did a poster project on this game in English class as well. Good ol days

I saw this game at lunch in Australia when I was in the Navy. Whole group of people from my ship were watching. I was the only Lions fan and it was a blast watching Detroit and Barry run over Dallas. Spielman standing up Smith at the End zone was awesome too!!

Damn looking at the runs emitt had compared to barry. Every Emmitt run was just him finding a huge hole and running through it. Meanwhile, barry shifted around in the backfield until he could make something happen

Two legendary backs.

I will forever remember this game!

I’m a lifetime cowboys fan and I have always believed that if Barry had the offensive line that Emmit had he would’ve been the greatest running back of all time. He would have set the all time rushing title and no one would ever beat him!

I'm a Cowboys fan and in my opinion Barry Sanders is of the GOATs next to AP, Jim Brown, Eric Dickerson, Walter Payton, and LT. Emmitt was great though but he had a great offensive line in his career.

I remember watch this monday night game back when I was 13 glad detroit won so my 49ers could get that one seed.

oh man,still have chills....

Barry's spin move alone shreds Emmit

BARRY SANDERS >>>>> EMITT SMITH EMITT HAD THE GREATEST O-LINE HELPING HIM, BARRY WAS SPECIAL

Two of the greatest ever and as I type this Eli just threw a pick 6 vs the Eagles smh!

That was when football was a "Man" game. Both, Smith and Sanders, were great backs who left everything on the field. Occasionally I relive their unbelievable runs thanks to RU-vid. Miss those football I and T formations days of great backs!

I was at that game. Right behind the Cowboys bench. Love my Cowboys!

Barry played 89 to 98. The lions made the playoffs 5 times during that time, 4 of which were wildcard 1 and outs. The boys won the Superbowl 3 times during that time. Lets not pretend the lions were a particularly good team, or had a good line. Barry is also the leader in yards lost for a running back because he had to keep running like a madman to make up for the aggressive mediocrity that was blocking for him. If you swapped them Barry is more of a legend and Emmett is remembered as a good running back on a crummy team. End of story.

barry sanders is the greatest of all time he had a weak line emmit had a way better line

If Barry had the “O LINE” Emmit had Emmit would be an after thought

These guys were a joy to watch!

barry is still better

If you watch Barry's runs, he's changing speeds, shifting, juking, breaking tackles, making people miss. Emmit is just running straight through huge holes. Not saying Emmit wasn't talented but c'mon. It's not even close who was more gifted.

The Dallas Cowboys have a 115-86 record with Emmitt Smith all-time. The Detroit Lions are 74-79 with Barry Sanders all-time.

Some of you guys talent evaluation of a running back come strictly on open field explosiveness. You are missing so much more to being a great back. Finding holes and gaining 3 -4 yards is not flashy, but it is effective. Not finding the hole and losing 2-3 yards looks like the O-Lines fault, but sometimes its the running backs inability to locate the hole quickly enough.

Barry would've held the all-time rushing record if he wouldn't have retired early

It's not even a debate, Barry sanders is the Goat

There is no question. Barry is the best ever. The end.

No doubt about it Barry Sanders is the greatest running back of my time

:50 - that cutback epitomizes what made Sanders special

"Sanders is often considered the better player. That's debatable." No. It's not.

If Barry Sanders would have had Emmitts offensive line he would have rushed for 3,000 yards in a season. 🏈

Emmitt always outperformed Barry in the Pro Bowls (where they had the same offensive lines). Barry is more fun to watch, but he used to lose a lot of yards, whereas Emmitt’s inclination was to always move forward. Both were great at breaking tackles and making defenders miss. It was a great era, and a pleasure to watch their highlights every week.

You can't compare Barry (the true goat) Sanders and Emmitt Smith, you just can't!

Barry was way better than Smith talent wise. You trade places and put Barry behind that monster line and that passing attack...Barry gets at least 1800 years a season

No debate. Barry by an O line. I never shook my head in amazement when Emmitt carried the ball. He was just another runner through gaping holes. Barry was a football treasure. No one comes close to what that man could do on a football field.

Not and even close competition. If Barry had the line that Emmett had, you have had multiple 3000 yard seasons.

To all saying emmit had a hall of fame offensive line no one from the 90s cowboys line is in the hall of game except Larry Allen

The best RBs of this era!!

I was blessed to watch Barry and bo growing up...

The smallest guys on the field with the biggest hearts! 🐐🐐

One had the best OL in football, with Irvin and Troy , the other said " fk it i dont need anybody lol

This host says, in a very cut-and-dry way, that Emmitt Smith was considered the league's "premiere back" at this time. I don't know exactly how he concludes this, but the matter was always 50/50 at best. And quite frankly, Emmitt Smith had one of the greatest offensive lines probably EVER while Barry Sanders, meanwhile, was stuck with the mediocre line that one just has to expect from the Lions' organization. I've always said, put Barry Sanders on one of those '90s Cowboys teams and a 2,500 yard rushing season would not have been out of the question. And to anyone too young to remember watching this guy who thinks I'm exaggerating, TRUST ME, he could run like no running back you've ever seen. It was just amazing.

This is helping me workout!

Holy cow i remember this game

Never seen a legend like Emmitt get disrespected so much 🤦🏾‍♂️

Both were great backs and blaming Emmitt for having a great offensive line is just BS. Two different runners. If you are looking for the breakaway threat then Barry was obviously better with higher top end speed, if you want a guy you can hand the ball to 30 times and no matter how much they stack the box he will get you 4 yards, win games and take you to titles...only one Emmitt Smith. I take Emmitt anytime and that is no slight to Barry, who was a beast and a fun back to watch. However, he was bottled up at times in playoff games with games like the day when Sanders set an NFL postseason record for rushing futility. He had 13 carries for minus-one yard. He had four catches that day -- for four yards. Which means he had 16 touches for a total of three yards -- 2.7 yards less than he averaged per rush in the regular season. That is the difference, if you give Emmitt the ball 20 times he will get you at least 70 yards because he is a north/south runner, he puts the head down and gets the tough yards. Now, that is not to say that Emmitt did not have moves and could not break long runs nor that Barry was not a tough player, just that they are two different style backs. You would be happy with either, but if I want a back that can CARRY a team past tough defenses and get the important smashmouth yards that win championships...no doubt I'm going with duece/duece. Barry was one helluva back and fun as hell to watch and could break ankles. Both all time greats and the debate will go on, along with many other backs that should be in the conversation. I tell ya, not many backs would I take over Emmitt.

That cut @ 49 on Ken Norton.... WOW!

Need those 90s throwbacks go boys

B. Sanders

just watching this just shows you how much better barry is. when emmit runs, there is plenty of room to run and he runs straight and gets pushed out of bounds. when barry runs he breaks like 5 tackles everytime. hands down barry is the best RB ever and its not even close with emmit

I don't know if it's true or not or remember where I heard it, but a long time ago someone explained a stat to me that Barry Sanders consistently was touched by defenders 5 +\- yards before Emmitt was, on average, per run. Lot's of factors I know, but it was no secret for the majority of those years Emmitt had the better O line for blocking. Even still, Emmitt would have been a beast if he played with the Lions too, but Barry was a human highlight real, and the freakiest of freaks for his physical and mental agility. Wish he had the chance to play on a Superbowl team.

The Sandman with the strip sack!!!! Memories.

In watching this game, Barry wasn't breaking tackles behind the line of scrimmage. He had a lot of room to run. He beat Emmit by only 2 yards with 4 more carries. I love both backs, but there are a lot of Emmit haters that use his offensive line as an excuse for his greatness. He's been a great back since high school.

If Barry had Dallas's offensive line he would have been absolutely Unstoppable.

Barry was the best runner in history. Emmitt was an amazing back tough, durable, can block and catch but what Barry did in Detroit was unbelievable. Detroit sucked. They had some players who had pro bowl years but as a unit they sucked. Everyone knew he was getting the ball 8 in the box each game and he made everyone look stupid and this was the height of the steroid era. Simply the best ever!

I remember watching that game. It was week 3 of the 1994 season. It was a match up of two of the greatest running backs of all time. B Sanders & E Smith. Sanders carried the ball 40 times for 194 yards at 4.85 pr carry. E Smith had 29 carries for 143 yards at 4.93 pr carry. Emmitt also had 7 receptions for 49 yards for an all purpose yardage of 192. It’s amazing to me that a running back with nearly 200 yards rushing in a game from 40 carries doesn’t score a single TD but that’s what happened with Barry Sanders in that amazing game. Unfortunately for my Cowboys, my team lost 20-17 in OT. You would think that with two Hall of Fame running backs amassing 337 rushing yards and 376 all purpose yards that the combined score would be far higher than just 37. Both teams defenses were bend but don’t break in that game. From what I can remember it was a defensive play from a Detroit player that won the game in OT with a sack and fumble on Troy Aikman that set them up in field goal range. What frustrates me about that play is that E Smith was having such a good game that I questioned why they would pass it when Emmitt was running all over that defense. SMH. But nonetheless, it was quite a treat to watch two of the greatest running backs play on the same field.

Smith can have as many yards as he wants, he's simply not on Barry Sanders level.

The fact that there comparing Zeke to Emmit just shows how much better Barry you can't Compare Anyone to Barry Because he's the GOAT

I remember feeling so comfortable after Dallas' first drive for what looked like an easy touchdown drive...

Good old days

I’ll take Emmitt every day of the week. Emmitt never ran for negative yards and he proved he could come to work everyday year after year. Emmitt is the greatest running back of all times hands down and there’s no way anyone can argue against it. He holds the record that says so.

why does everyone get mad because Emmit has a great line.. yes Barry was a game changer. I loved to see the guy play his passion was like none other.. Yes I'm a Dallas Cowboys fan.. But didn't the lions have the same chance to build up thier line as well? well I think both guys played with passion and physical skills.. God Bless them both for the great job they did..

One of the illest battles of all time!

Barry and his amazing agility. Smith and "I'm just gonna run through you."

I love Emmitt but Barry was the greatest running back in NFL history, Barry is the gold standard when it comes to running backs

Barry sanders, he had a solid linr but had mostly no support while Emmit Smith has arguably the best oline in the Nfl and Michael Irvin, Troy aikam as support.... Barry sanders wins it

AS A HUGE REDSKINS FAN AND A EVEN BIGGER COWBOY HATER FROM EAST TEXAS,YES TEXAS,I CERTAINLY REMEMBER THIS GAME.AND MORE THAN THE BARRY EMMITT THANG,THE COWBOYS LOST THE DAMN GAME WHICH ALWAYS MAKES ME HAPPY.

Barry is the highlight and Emmitt is the football player. Smith held out in the 93 season and the team started 0-2 without him. He came back and they went on to become the first team to begin the season 0-2 and win the Super Bowl. To cap off the season they needed a win to clinch home field advantage on the road against the Giants. Emmitt suffered a separated shoulder in the game. He gutted it out and carried the Cowboys to the victory. One of the most legendary performances in NFL history. Barry’s a distant second...