Nope, can't let this one go.
A case can be made that Emmitt Smith is not only the best running back ever but might have been the best NFL player ever (i believe so, he's the best i've seen and i go back to the early 70s).
He was incredible, a true 3 down back that could do it all, run, receive and block, he simply did not come off the field.
He was a touchdown scoring machine in a game where touchdowns determine winning teams, he had no peer as a back.
Barry Sanders, was an electric runner, no question. However, he was often a drive killer by taking huge losses on runs where he tried to create something from nothing. Emmitt simply would not lose yards he was a drive provider, chunk after chunk time after time.
Barry often came out on 3rd down because his pass blocking was poor, Emmitt as mentioned never left the field as he was an excellent blocker so his pass receiving and running skills were still a threat on 3rd down.
Barry generally left the field on goal line situations for bigger backs, his size viewed as detriment down deep. Emmitt was a goal line touchdown phenomenon.
Barry's line in Detroit was a very good one despite myths saying otherwise.
Emmitt was a leader, driving his teammates, never allowing them to let up.
I would be willing to bet a lot of money that if you polled all the NFL coaches from that era more than 80% would make Emmitt their back of choice over Barry all things considered.
All in all i simply don't have the time or skills to truly do justice to the Emmitt versus Barry debate, there are people much more gifted than myself who break this down better than i do. Emmitt was the better player without question.