Player Profile: Emmitt Smith (1992)
From the Cowboys*96 Media Guide
(July, 1996)
1992: In 1992, Smith first set a Dallas rushing record
with 1,713 yards and Cowboys standards for rushing touchdowns
(18) and total touchdowns (19), while leading the league in all
three categories. Smith posted the 11th best rushing season in
NFL history and was the first NFL player since Walter Payton
in 1984-85 with consecutive 1,500-yard rushing seasons.
Not to limit his heroics to the ground, Smith also posted 59
receptions, tops in the NFC and third in the NFL among running
backs, for 335 receiving yards. Smith's 2,048 yards from scrimmage
set a new Dallas record, led the NFC and was second in the NFL.
Smith also established a Dallas mark for rushing attempts with
373 and rushing/receiving attempts with 432. Smith opened the
season with 140 yards on the ground in a Monday night win over
the defending Super Bowl champion Redskins (9/7), earning NFC
Offensive Player of the Week honors and becoming the first player
to rush for over 100 yards against the Redskins in three consecutive
games.
Later in the season, he had a streak of five straight games with
over 100 yards rushing at Texas Stadium snapped against Seattle
(10/11). Smith had surpassed the previous club mark of four straight
100-yard rushing performances at home against Phoenix (9/20).
After bruising his hip in the third quarter against the Raiders
(10/25), he missed two plays but returned to rush for 79 yards
and two touchdowns, giving him 152 yards and three touchdowns
on the day. His three touchdowns at the Raiders, which he would
match two weeks later at Detroit (11/8), tied for the NFC-high
in 1992 and earned him NFC Offensive Player of the Week honors.
Smith started November, a month in which he would earn NFC Offensive
Player of the Month honors, facing a tough Philadelphia defense
(11/1) which was ranked first in the NFL in yards allowed going
into the game.
Smith broke loose for 163 yards, becoming the first 100-yard
rusher against the Eagles in 53 games, a streak that dated back
to Sept. 17, 1989. Smith had his team-record 34-game streak of
leading the team in rushing yards end against the Lions (11/8).
Against the Rams (11/15), Smith matched Dorsett's 1981 record
by reaching 1,000 yards rushing in a season in 10 games, the
fewest in team history. A week later, Smith demonstrated his
versatility when he hauled in a career-high 12 catches at Phoenix
(11/22), which were the second most in team history. On Thanksgiving
Day against the Giants (11/26), Smith had a long day, recording
a season-long 68-yard touchdown run and a season-long 26-yard
touchdown catch.
With Denver Head Coach Dan Reeves watching from across the field,
Smith tied the single-season touchdown mark Reeves had established
in 1966 by popping into the end zone with 2:47 remaining to give
the Cowboys a 31-27 come-from-behind win over the Broncos (12/6),
Smith wrapped up the regular season with 174 yards rushing at
Atlanta (12/21, an NFC-high for 1992, and in the regular season
finale, earned NFC Offensive Player of the Week honors against
Chicago (12/27) when he ran for 131 yards and claimed the league
rushing title.
For his late season display he was named NFC Offensive Player
of the Month for December, making him the first NFL player to
earn the honor in consecutive months. He strung together three
100-yard rushing games in the playoffs (114 against the Eagles,
114 against the 49ers and 108 against Buffalo). His three straight
postseason 100-yard rushing days established a club record and
tied for the third longest postseason streak in league history.
With his performance against Buffalo in Super Bowl XXVII (1/31/93),
Smith became the first Dallas player to rush for 100 yards in
a Super Bowl. After the season, Smith earned consensus All-Pro
and All-NFC honors.
Emmitt's Seasons: 1995 ... 1994 ... 1993
... 1991 ... 1990
Emmitt in College & Game Starts
Emmitt's Personal Data
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