Dallas, TX
Crunching Cowboys stats: Tuning up for the playoffs
No one expected the Washington Commanders to be much of a challenge for the Dallas Cowboys, and they weren’t. In what was Ron Rivera’s last game as head coach, the Cowboys clearly outclassed the Commanders. In the process, they sealed the NFC East title and the valuable number two seed. It was still a game where it was hard to be truly impressed by a Dallas victory, no matter how lopsided.
But the Cowboys certainly tried. More importantly, this looked like a team primed and ready to defend their home field in the playoffs, and if they defeat the Green Bay Packers in the wild card round, they will get to play at least two in the stadium where they have not been defeated since September of 2022. While you have to take the lack of success Washington has had this year into account, the numbers offer a lot of hope for this not being another disappointing postseason for Dallas.
Zero sacks for Dak Prescott
Why is this the first one brought up? Because the Cowboys had to play the game without Tyler Smith or Zack Martin. With T.J. Bass and Brock Hoffman filling in, they provided very good protection for Prescott. When there was pressure on him, he simply activated escape, evade, and attack mode, like he did on the second touchdown catch by CeeDee Lamb. When Prescott is given some time and feels comfortable, he is as dangerously effective as any quarterback in the NFL.
An MVP stat line
Let’s look at just how effective the QB was.
31 completions on 36 attempts (86.1%), 279 yards, four touchdowns, and one tipped ball interception. That will more than get the job done. It is also worth noting how he passed. It was a windy day, so he took few deep shots, instead completing short passes, a few of which had big yards after the catch or a penalty to move down the field. It was a lot of sustained drives, converting six of ten third downs and never calling on Bryan Anger to punt the ball once, even after Cooper Rush came in late to clean things up.
As he has done so much this season, Prescott spread the ball around, targeting eight different receivers and hitting seven of them. (Rush would hit Peyton Hendershot for 24 yards in the fourth quarter to add one more name to the list of pass catchers. Hendershot also threw in a hurdle for good measure.) It was a controlled, dominating performance. He may not wind up as the league MVP, for reasons that go beyond his play, but he clearly deserves to be in that conversation. The team will go as far as he can take them, and that looks like it could be far, indeed.
CeeDee’s star continues to ascend
Thirteen catches, 98 yards, and two touchdowns. Just another day at the office for Lamb, who averaged over 100 yards per game for the season. It is hard to argue against him being on a level with only one other player, the Miami Dolphins’ Tyreek Hill, this year. And thanks to the play of Brandin Cooks, Jake Ferguson, and others, if teams try and take Lamb away, Prescott will just go somewhere else. It’s a matter of picking their poison.
The running game shows up
This is a bit of a callback to the offensive line’s performance, since they are so crucial to this. The running game was solid in this game, amassing 131 yards and a touchdown. Tony Pollard was the big weapon in a way we have seldom seen in 2023. His 70 yards put him over 1,000 for the season, and he had the score after getting the team to the one-yard line.
Again, this was against the Commanders, but any signs of life for the ground game are welcome. And the Cowboys might have uncovered a new weapon in the passing game as well in Rico Dowdle, who caught three balls for 54 yards, including the longest play of the game, a 32-yard reception that was almost all after the catch.
The running backs showed up this game, and hopefully they will continue this.
Mike McCarthy had no missteps
You don’t score five touchdowns without punting the ball a single time without some good work by the guy holding the playsheet on the sidelines. McCarthy was clearly on point in this one. He didn’t get too fancy, relying on how his stars were taking care of business to rack up points and yardage. He seemed to have adjusted very nicely for the blustery conditions by sticking to the short passing game and leaning on the running backs. There seems nothing here to fault him for. He even called a quick, brutally efficient 65-yard touchdown drive after the two-minute warning in the first half. And clearly he had this team ready to play. There are no criticisms to level at him this week.
Defense asserted itself
The Commanders led 10-7 early in the second quarter, but from then on, they were shut down by Dan Quinn’s unit. They would sack Sam Howell four times, get two interceptions from Donovan Wilson and DaRon Bland, and Jourdan Lewis would continue his excellent season by forcing and recovering a fumble. Given that both of the Washington scores came on short fields following a blocked field goal and the interception of Prescott, this was a great showing, even if against an out-manned opponent. They say defense wins championships. More performances like this would certainly help.
The end of the streak
Sadly, the perfection ended for kicker Brandon Aubrey. Not only was his first attempt blocked, which was not really on him, he clanked one off the upright on his second try. But with Rush in to protect Prescott late, the team drove to get in Aubrey’s impressive range, and he nailed a 50-yarder to calm any flashbacks to what happened to Brett Maher last January.
If a playoff game comes down to a last-second field goal attempt, there is still no kicker that is better to have lining up for the try than Aubrey.
Penalties
After ranting about the often unforced errors that kept gifting yards to the opponent and wiping good plays off the books, this is a thing of some beauty.
Two penalties for 20 yards.
It was not a game that saw a lot of laundry on the field, as the Commanders only got caught four times for 39 yards, but this is still almost impressive. And in a weird twist of fate, those two flags were both offensive holding calls, and came just two plays apart on the same drive. They didn’t matter, as Prescott would find Cooks for his touchdown to cap that short drive off following the punt blocked by Hendershot.
Outside of the two big mistakes that led to Washington’s points, there was just very little negative to point to in this game for Dallas. It certainly looked like a very good team getting some things cleaned up for the better teams they will now face in the playoffs. The biggest negative was the exit of Stephon Gilmore with a shoulder injury, but he told McCarthy that the apparent dislocation felt a lot better after getting put back in place, and he plans to be on the field in for Sunday’s matchup.
The thing the Cowboys needed most was to get the arrow pointing up in the season finale. That they did.
Dallas, TX
Hip-hop hitmaker Cardi B coming to AAC in Dallas
Cardi B, one of hip-hop’s most outsize personalities — and one of its most reliable hitmakers — is coming to Dallas.
The New York City-born rapper broke through in 2017 with the hit single “Bodak Yellow,” launching a chart-topping run that soon included “I Like It” and the blockbuster hit “WAP.” Her Grammy-winning debut album, Invasion of Privacy, cemented her as a defining voice in contemporary rap, blending brash humor, confessional storytelling and club-ready production.
The 33-year-old’s success helped boost the profile of women in a genre long dominated by men, encouraging record labels to sign more female rappers. She has frequently teamed up with rising female artists, including GloRilla, FendiDa Rappa and “WAP” collaborator Megan Thee Stallion.
Cardi’s stop at American Airlines Center is part of the arena run supporting her second studio album, 2025’s Am I the Drama? Recent shows in the “Little Miss Drama Tour” have leaned into spectacle, with elaborate staging, surprise guest appearances and a set list that spans her entire career.
Fans can expect a high-energy performance built around booming trap beats, pop hooks and Cardi’s signature unfiltered banter — the same mix that has helped her sell out dates across the tour and turn concerts into party-like events.
DETAILS: March 7 at 7:30 p.m. at American Airlines Center in Dallas. Tickets start at $334.10, but some verified resale tickets are cheaper. ticketmaster.com.
Pop legend Diana Ross performs March 7 at the WinStar World Casino in Thackerville, Oklahoma.
Sarah Hepola
OTHER CONCERTS
Bluesy psychedelic rock band All Them Witches performs March 7 at House of Blues Dallas.
Travis Pinson
ALL THEM WITCHES March 7 at 8 p.m. at House of Blues Dallas. ticketmaster.com.
DIANA ROSS March 7 at 8 p.m. at WinStar World Casino in Thackerville, Okla. winstar.com.
RICH BRIAN March 7 at 8 p.m. at The Bomb Factory in Deep Ellum. axs.com.
TRACE ADKINS March 7 at 10 p.m. at Billy Bob’s Texas in Fort Worth. billybobstexas.com.
AFROJACK March 8 at 3 p.m. at It’ll Do Club in Deep Ellum. eventbrite.com.
LITHE March 8 at 8 p.m. at House of Blues Dallas. ticketmaster.com.
CONAN GRAY March 10 at 8 p.m. at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth. ticketmaster.com.
MATISYAHU March 10 at 8 p.m. at the Granada Theater in Dallas. prekindle.com.
OUR LADY PEACE, WITH THE VERVE PIPE March 12 at 8 p.m. at Tannahill’s Tavern and Music Hall in Fort Worth. ticketmaster.com.
PAUL WALL March 12 at 9 p.m. and March 13 at 10 p.m. at Billy Bob’s Texas in Fort Worth. billybobstexas.com.
Dallas, TX
GOP candidates for Texas House face off in Collin County, Park Cities, North Dallas
The fiercest legislative primary fights Tuesday in North Texas were inside the GOP.
In Dallas County, two moderate GOP incumbent representatives faced challengers after being censured by their own county party.
In Collin County, several Republican state House members were fending off rivals running to their right.
The Dallas Morning News will provide live election results this evening when the polls close at 7 p.m. Results will be updated throughout the evening for statewide races and Dallas, Collin, Denton, Ellis, Kaufman, Rockwall and Tarrant counties.
Dallas County, House District 108
Republican Morgan Meyer, first elected in 2014, was challenged by attorney Sanjay Narayan in a district that includes the Park Cities, Oak Lawn and Preston Hollow.
Narayan criticized Meyer for backing renewable energy expansion and for being censured by the Dallas GOP last year.
Meyer was among House Republicans targeted after disputes over the House speaker vote and chamber rules. He and other lawmakers called the censure effort unconstitutional.
In the campaign, Meyer focused on property tax relief and emergency preparedness after the Camp Mystic tragedy.
Small business owner Allison Mitchell is unopposed in the Democratic primary.
Dallas County, House District 112
Republican Angie Chen Button, who has represented the district covering parts of Dallas, Richardson and Garland since 2009, drew three primary opponents.
Button has highlighted her support for small businesses and public schools and her bipartisan record. A senior member of the Ways and Means Committee, she would play a key role in the state’s property tax debate if reelected.
Dallas-area delegation in the Texas House of Representatives on Sunday, May 30, 2021, showing State Rep. Angie Chen Button, R-Garland, in the chamber.
Bob Daemmrich / Bob Daemmrich/CapitolPressPhoto
Opponents Chad Carnahan and Tina Price attacked Button for being censured by the Dallas GOP last year, a move she and other lawmakers have criticized as an internal party power struggle.
Carnahan, a businessman, said he wants to lower property taxes and prevent Shariah in Texas.
Price said she would improve public schools and spur the re-use of old buildings. Also in the GOP race: Perry E. Barker Sr.
Democrat Zach Herbert was unopposed.
Collin County, House District 61
Two Republicans are seeking to represent the district that covers most of McKinney and parts of Frisco and Celina.
Incumbent Keresa Richardson, who was elected in 2024, and former state Rep. Frederick Frazier both support eliminating property taxes.
Richardson, an entrepreneur, said she would expand the Texas voucher-like program for education.
Frazier, a former police officer and McKinney City Council member, was more cautious about expanding the program.

Frederick Frazier speaks as Rep. Keresa Richardson looks on during a candidate forum for Republicans in Collin County ahead of the March primary election at Prestonwood Baptist Church in Plano, Texas, Tuesday, February 10, 2026.
Anja Schlein / Special Contributor
Two political newcomers, Jackie Bescherer and Brittany Black, are running in the Democratic primary. Both oppose Texas’ voucher program and vow to increase public education funding.
Collin County, House District 67
Republican Rep. Jeff Leach, first elected in 2012, faces Matt Thorsen in a district that includes parts of Plano, Allen, McKinney and Melissa.
Leach has highlighted his conservative record, including legislation barring Shariah in Texas courts. He also served as a House impeachment manager during Attorney General Ken Paxton’s 2023 trial, a role he has defended amid backlash from activists.
Thorsen, a small business owner and former youth pastor, helped lead the effort to censure Leach last year. He has criticized Leach’s impeachment role and accused him of siding with Democrats on House rules.
Both support eliminating property taxes, expanding education savings accounts and oppose the development formerly known as EPIC City. Two Democrats are also running, though the district has leaned Republican.
Collin County, House District 70
Three Republicans are competing for the nomination to run against incumbent Democrat Mihaela Plesa, who is running unopposed in her party’s primary.
Democrat Mihaela Plesa responds to questions during a District 70 Candidate Forum hosted by Raise Your Hand Texas at Plano ISD Academy High School in Plano on Wednesday, Oct. 19, 2022.
Liesbeth Powers / Staff Photographer
George Flint, a former district judge and Collin County Republican Party Chair, emphasized eliminating property taxes and securing the border in his campaign.
Jack Ryan Gallagher, an attorney, said he would attract companies to North Texas, improve public schools and partner with local law enforcement if elected.
Michael Hewitt, an attorney, said he would gradually lower property taxes and work to keep Texas a business-friendly state.
The district includes parts of Plano, Richardson and Far North Dallas.
Dallas, TX
Dallas Fed says ‘older, experienced workers’ likely have less cause for concern about AI job displacement
Artificial intelligence hasn’t yet triggered the broad job losses many feared — at least not for experienced workers.
That’s the takeaway from a new analysis by J. Scott Davis, an assistant vice president at the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, who examined employment and wage trends in industries most exposed to artificial intelligence.
Davis argues the data tell a more nuanced story — one that’s challenging the traditional career ladder, and helping older employees earn a bit more.
Since ChatGPT’s debut in late 2022, overall US employment has risen about 2.5%, according to Davis’ analysis, which uses an AI exposure index developed by researchers and published in the Strategic Management Journal. At the same time, employment in the sectors most exposed to AI has slipped by roughly 1%.
Wages tell a different story. The average weekly pay nationwide has climbed 7.5% since fall 2022. And across the most AI-exposed industries, wages have grown faster, up 8.5%.
If AI were simply replacing workers, both employment and wages would likely be falling, Davis wrote.
Instead, Davis points to a divide between “codified” knowledge — the kind learned from textbooks and in university courses — and “tacit” knowledge gained from hands-on work experience.
“Returns on job experience are increasing in AI-exposed occupations,” Davis wrote. “Young workers with primarily codifiable knowledge and limited experience will likely face challenging job markets.”
Using Bureau of Labor Statistics data, his analysis found that the occupations most exposed to AI tend to offer larger pay premiums for experienced workers.
In roles with less hands-on experience, AI exposure is associated with weaker wage growth, he wrote.
Workers under 25 in AI-exposed industries have also experienced employment declines, according to Davis’ analysis.
“There appears to be less cause for concern about widespread job displacement for older, experienced workers,” he wrote.
A less dire picture… so far
The findings offer a counterpoint to the more apocalyptic predictions about AI’s impact on the labor market.
Last week, Citrini Research published a memo, written from the hypothetical perspective in 2028, that theorized how AI could crush the US jobs market and trigger a broad-based market collapse.
“What if our AI bullishness continues to be right…and what if that’s actually bearish?” the memo asked.
Top executives inside the AI companies are worried about jobs, too.
Dario Amodei, the CEO of Anthropic, the company that runs Claude, warned that AI could eliminate 50% of entry-level office jobs. OpenAI’s head of product, Olivier Godement, said the life sciences, customer service, and computer engineering industries were all about to get automated. And Boris Cherny, the creator of Claude Code, said that he doesn’t believe the job title “software engineer” will exist next year.
For now, at least, the Dallas Fed paints a different picture of today’s jobs market. It points to less mass displacement and market ruptures — and more power for employees who already have their foot in the door.
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