Emmitt Smith reveals his expectations for the Dallas Cowboys and his thoughts on Dak Prescott.

Emmitt Smith was the face of the Dallas Cowboys the last time they won a Super Bowl.

It’s been 28 years since the Cowboys last hoisted the Lombardi Trophy. Smith was still in his prime during the 1995 season, leading the league in rushing for the fourth time while earning his sixth straight Pro Bowl bid and fourth First-Team All-Pro selection.

It’s no coincidence that that very season was the last time Dallas made a deep playoff run without making it past the divisional round of the playoffs.

But this year’s Cowboy team may be different from all the other teams that have fallen far short of expectations. At 9-3, this Dallas team feels like it’s the team that can finally shake the memories of previous Cowboys teams that struggled in the playoffs.

While talking about his partnership with Bud Light and an upcoming commercial featuring him and Peyton Manning, the Cowboys legend shared some thoughts on this year’s team, along with his expectations for both the team and quarterback Dak Prescott.

“I think this is a year where we need to take a big step forward to not only get deeper into the playoffs but also maximize the talent we have,” Smith said before the team’s 41-35 win. Seattle Seahawks.

The Prescott-led Cowboys have always been playoff contenders. But since he became their starting quarterback in 2016, they have not established themselves as a true Super Bowl contender.

Despite producing some of the most talented squads in years, Dallas has consistently fallen short. The Cowboys have made the playoffs four times with Prescott at quarterback, including as a No. 1 seed in 2016, but are 2-4 in the postseason and have made two head-to-head playoff appearances.

Smith explains that this core, which includes longtime players like Prescott, Tyron Smith, 33-year-old Zack Martin and 31-year-old DeMarcus Lawrence, is getting older and the window is getting smaller with each passing year.

“There are too many windows,” explains Smith. “What I mean is, the guys are holding on for a long time. The same goes for talented players. We think about players over 30 or 28, 29 years old. These players are getting a little older, so there’s just a chance for them to do so before the team itself begins to rebuild. Or when they replace everyone they replaced, someone might not come with the same level of firepower or vitality as the player you just lost.”

Smith stressed the urgency for the Cowboys to win this year.

“As players, we have to take advantage of the moments we have and often we tend to think, ‘Okay, we can do it next year,’” Smith said. “No, next year is not promised. So when the opportunity arises, you have to take advantage of it.”

Following a thrilling Week 13 win over the Seahawks that featured a fourth-quarter comeback led by Prescott, Dallas now holds a 9-3 record, the second-best record in the NFL behind NFC East rival 10-1 Philadelphia . eagle.

The Cowboys have certainly shown resilience in overcoming late deficits, but they still don’t seem to get the same respect as elite teams like the Philadelphia Eagles and San Francisco 49ers. This is likely because the Cowboys have lost both of their previous matchups against their NFC rivals.

Dallas lost to San Francisco in their Week 5 matchup (42-10 loss), but has come a long way since then. They are 6-1 and fell a few yards short of beating the Eagles, who lost 28-23 in Week 9.

The Cowboys are averaging 36.2 points per game since their loss to San Francisco and have scored at least 40 points on four occasions. The next closest team during that span is the Baltimore Ravens with 30.7 points per game.

By comparison, the Cowboys averaged 26.8 points per game through the first five games of the season.

“I think the offense started to show a little more dynamism and variety rather than being stagnant early on against the San Francisco 49ers,” Smith said.

Prescott’s recent level of play isn’t the only key to Dallas’ improved offense. He has averaged 316.8 passing yards per game with 20 touchdowns, two interceptions and a quarterback rating of 82.5 since Week 8. This is the team’s effectiveness in the red zone.

The Cowboys, who ranked in the bottom five in red zone offense before Week 6, have made big strides over the last three games, ranking 13th in red zone efficiency.

Smith has noticed improvements during coach Mike McCarthy’s first season as offensive play-caller following the departure of Kellen Moore.

“I see some level of continuity starting to occur,” Smith said. “I think Mike McCarthy has opened up the offense a little bit more, diversified the offense a little bit more and made sure some key guys are getting their hands on the football. Players like CeeDee Lamb, Tony Pollard and tight ends are stepping up and doing a great job.

Smith believes how McCarthy’s offensive leadership will allow Prescott to become a better quarterback. Prescott currently ranks first in the league in touchdown passes, second in passer rating, and third in passing yards.

“I think McCarthy expanding the offense will help Dak Prescott become a better quarterback,” Smith said. “Not only that, but the ball is being moved to different players so it will help them get in position to make plays.”

McCarthy’s play-calling, Prescott’s play, and the mature and seasoned Cowboys will lead to a deep playoff run, Smith says.

“I believe it’s Dak’s time,” Smith said. “And I think it’s time for the team. I think it’s time for McCarthy to really unleash his offensive coordinator creativity. It will be difficult, but we must become stronger here. Now we are ready to head into the playoffs with a prepared mind. “We are prepared physically, mentally and emotionally.”