The Dallas Cowboys suffered a devastating 48-32 loss to the Green Bay Packers in the January 2024 wildcard playoff game held at AT&T Stadium. Despite strong support from the home crowd, the defeat extended the Cowboys’ ongoing Super Bowl drought, putting Dak Prescott’s playoff leadership under intense scrutiny. NFL analyst Stephen A. Smith openly criticized Prescott’s performance and the team’s overall leadership following the game.

Stephen A. Smith expresses disbelief over Cowboys’ playoff collapse

On ESPN’s First Take, Stephen A. Smith dissected the game, expressing both surprise and disappointment at the scale of the loss. Though the outcome was not entirely unexpected, Smith was stunned by how one-sided the contest became.

“I saw panic. I saw dudes who were shook. I saw a crew that was nervous,” he said. “I was shocked at the beat down. This was a beat down. I don’t give a damn about the final score 48-32…. Oh no no no… 48-16 with 6 minutes left in the game, it was done. What I was shocked by was the beat down.” —Stephen A. Smith, NFL Analyst

The Packers surged ahead early, building a commanding 27-0 lead before Dallas managed a touchdown from Jake Ferguson. Green Bay maintained control in the second half, extending their advantage to 48-16 with just over ten minutes remaining. Although the Cowboys added two later touchdowns, the effort fell well short of mounting a serious comeback.

The defeat ended the Cowboys’ impressive 16-game home winning streak and highlighted persistent playoff struggles when Prescott is the starting quarterback. His stat line included 41 completions on 60 attempts for 403 yards, three touchdowns, and two interceptions, one of which was returned for a pick-six by the Packers.

Ongoing criticism of Dak Prescott’s playoff leadership

Stephen A. Smith continued to question Prescott’s ability to lead the team in critical moments during a subsequent First Take appearance. Reflecting on Prescott’s postseason record, Smith emphasized the quarterback’s failure to consistently perform when it matters most.

“Do people respect the man who doesn’t show up in January?” he questioned. —Stephen A. Smith, NFL Analyst

Under Prescott’s starting role, the Cowboys hold a disappointing two wins and four losses in six playoff games, raising concerns about his capability to deliver success in the postseason. Smith suggested that Dallas must seriously consider moving forward without Prescott at quarterback, and also pointed to the need for a new coaching approach to finally achieve a deep playoff run.

What the loss means for the Cowboys’ future

With three consecutive seasons ending at 12-5 but early playoff eliminations remaining a pattern, this lopsided loss against Green Bay underscores significant challenges for Dallas. The team’s inability to perform under pressure at home, combined with Prescott’s questioned leadership, signals that changes may be necessary to break their postseason struggles. Fans and analysts alike will watch closely to see if management decides to pursue a new quarterback and coaching staff capable of turning the Cowboys into true championship contenders in the near future.