Stephen A. Smith brutally mocks the Cowboys' collapse: "How many times do I have to be right?"

S tephen A. Smith did not need much of an invitation to revisit his long-running skepticism about the Dallas Cowboys .

After Dallas opened the 2026 NFL season with a 28-20 defeat to the New York Giants on Sunday Night Football, the ESPN personality once again had an opportunity to remind Cowboys fans of the concerns he has raised about the franchise for years.

Smith has made his criticism of America's Team one of the most recognizable parts of his television persona. Whenever Dallas suffers another high-profile setback, the ESPN commentator is usually among the first to point back to his previous warnings.

This time, Smith's reaction centered on the familiar argument that Cowboys supporters have repeatedly been told to remain patient.

"How many times will I be right?" Smith said. "How many times I'm not gonna be right? 'Just be patient, they won't let you down.'"

The comments came after the Cowboys were unable to overcome a fast start from the Giants , who controlled much of the game and handed Dallas an early divisional defeat.

New York produced 394 total yards and held possession for more than 36 minutes. Second-year quarterback Jaxson Dart completed 23 of 29 passes for 230 yards and three touchdowns while also contributing 54 rushing yards.

The Giants ' running game added another 165 yards as New York repeatedly kept the Cowboys ' defense on the field.

For Dallas, Dak Prescott finished with 175 passing yards and two touchdown passes, but he also threw an interception. The Cowboys struggled to sustain drives consistently and were unable to prevent the Giants from controlling the tempo.

Stephen A. Smith gets another opportunity to question the Cowboys

The result was particularly significant because Dallas entered the season hoping that a new campaign would produce a different story.

The Cowboys finished 7-9-1 in 2025 and have spent the offseason attempting to address weaknesses that have repeatedly prevented them from meeting expectations. Yet their first game of 2026 immediately brought back some of the same questions.

Head coach Brian Schottenheimer was blunt when assessing his team's performance afterward, acknowledging that Dallas had been outplayed and "humbled" by the Giants. That assessment reflected the statistical reality of the game.

New York converted nine of 11 third-down opportunities, allowing the Giants to extend drives and maintain control. Dallas also struggled to establish enough consistency on offense to force the Giants into uncomfortable situations.

Cam Skattebo was another major factor. The running back, returning from the serious ankle injury he suffered last season, rushed for 81 yards and a touchdown. His performance provided another example of the Giants ' ability to generate production when it mattered.

The Giants also received an important contribution from Malik Nabers , who returned from the knee injuries that ended his 2025 season. Nabers finished with six receptions for 69 yards, while tight end Isaiah Likely caught eight passes for 78 yards and two touchdowns.

For Smith , however, the individual statistics are secondary to the larger point he has made about Dallas.

His criticism has generally focused less on whether the Cowboys possess talented players and more on whether the organization can consistently turn that talent into results. The Week 1 defeat gave him another opportunity to argue that preseason optimism means little if the team cannot execute once the games begin.

There is, of course, a long way to go. One defeat does not determine an NFL season, and Dallas has plenty of opportunities to respond. The Cowboys will also have opportunities to correct the mistakes that contributed to Sunday's loss.

But the manner of the defeat made it particularly difficult for the organization to dismiss the criticism.

The Giants dictated possession, won important third-down situations and produced three passing touchdowns from Dart. Dallas, meanwhile, struggled to find answers once New York established control.

That is precisely why Smith's comments are likely to resonate with Cowboys fans — whether they agree with him or not.

For supporters, the hope is that Week 1 represents an early stumble rather than another chapter in a familiar story. For Smith , it represents something very different: another chance to ask why the Cowboys continue to disappoint when expectations rise.

And after another nationally televised Dallas defeat, he was ready with his answer.