On ESPN’s First Take, Stephen A. Smith couldn’t contain his shock when pundit Gary Striewski ventured to suggest that Dak Prescott might unseat NFL quarterback Patrick Mahomes.
The response was classic Stephen A. style: cue the unmistakable sigh of disdain, the eye roll, and the head in hands.
Knowing Stephen A.’s well-known contempt for the Dallas Cowboys, Striewski realized he was taking a risk with this take. Unfazed, he nevertheless brought statistics to support his audacious assertion.
He emphasized Prescott’s outstanding performance, mentioning that the Cowboys had the highest-scoring offense in the NFL the previous year. With a 68% completion percentage, 105 passing touchdowns, and fewer interceptions than Mahomes in his argument arsenal, Striewski was not about to back down.
It was nearly impossible to miss the collective gasp from First Take watchers when Striewski presented his case. But it wasn’t all about the stats.
It wasn’t long before Striewski made it clear that he was removing the divisional rivalries from the equation and concentrating just on the matchup between the two best gunslingers in the league.
Striewski’s bold take: Dak Prescott could outshine Patrick Mahomes, and Stephen A. Smith can’t handle it.
The camera cut to Stephen A. as soon as Striewski said Prescott’s name, capturing the inevitable look on everyone’s face. There it was: the First Take star’s raw, unadulterated annoyance.
SportsCenter anchor Gary Striewski understood the First Take assignment. Names Dak Prescott as the quarterback most apt to beat Patrick Mahomes. pic.twitter.com/HKW6njsLzI
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) August 15, 2024
However, Striewski wasn’t done; he wasn’t simply discussing statistics; he was arguing in favor of Dallas’ prospects against Kansas City in a prospective Super Bowl matchup. Striewski was referring to a one-game situation, and in his opinion, Prescott and Company had what it took. Forget the Cowboys’ postseason woes.
Not only was Striewski picking to win, but he was painting a picture of how Dallas’ attack and defense, anchored by players like Micah Parsons, could succeed where others had failed. Striewski asserts that the Cowboys pose a real threat to Mahomes and the Chiefs since they were the only team to finish in the top five on both sides of the ball in the previous season.
Towards the end of the program, Striewski made a last-minute joke, hinting that this could be his last hot take on First Take. But even as Stephen A. got ready to unleash his trademark rage, he remained unrepentant, sticking to his forecast.
Though the Cowboys have struggled in the postseason in recent years, Prescott was always expected by Striewski to surpass Mahomes in the most important game.
Even if Striewski wasn’t persuaded, he wasn’t going to back down. And who knows what the next chapter may contain for the Cowboys’ standout quarterback, Prescott, whose future in Dallas remains uncertain. There’s no denying that Striewski made an impression on First Take, but the argument is far from settled.
