Dallas, TX
Position battleground (defense): Cowboys vs Commanders head-to-head breakdown
Previously we broke down the offense for this week’s upcoming game for the Dallas Cowboys. Now we dive back into the position battleground, this time looking at how the defensive positions and special teams stack up against each other.
DEFENSIVE LINE
What more can we say about this defensive line we haven’t already complained about this season? The sad fact is this Dallas defensive line has allowed more rushing touchdowns than any other team in the NFL, and only the Carolina Panthers have allowed more rushing yards. No matter how much people tell you this is a passing league, the easiest way to control and win a game is to dominate in the ground game. Every week we see the opposition running at will against Dallas and that makes for a long day as a Cowboys fan. Last week, Joe Mixon was the latest to enjoy the freedom and averaged 5.4 yards per carry and scored three touchdowns. Now that same defensive line is facing an offense that ranks sixth in rushing yards and leads the league in rushing touchdowns.
The Dallas Cowboys rank last in rushing touchdowns and that will suit Dan Quinn and his defensive line perfectly. Their defensive line is giving up a lot of yards on the ground and ranks right behind Dallas, but they are allowing a lot fewer rushing touchdowns than Dallas. In what we expect in the typical Dan Quinn system, it leaks a lot on the ground but makes up for it in sacks, pressures and reducing passing yards. The Washington Commanders have notched 29 sacks this year, that’s the fifth-most, and the player leading the team in sacks is none other than Dante Fowler Jr. He now has 8.5 sacks which is third-most in the league and his 10 tackles for loss is fourth-most. Another ex-Cowboy defensive linemen ranks behind Fowler for the Commanders in sacks, Dorance Armstrong, and that just adds more salt to the wound. Both Jonathan Allen and Javontae Jean-Baptiste will miss this game and have been moved to injured reserve.
Win: Commanders
LINEBACKER
This could be a place where the Cowboys match up well against the Commanders thanks to the efforts of DeMarvion Overshown and Eric Kendricks. Among linebackers in the league, Kendricks ranks in the top-ten in tackles with 87, and Overshown is proving to be quite the Swiss Army knife out there utilizing his speed and acceleration on every down.
Why this isn’t a cut-clear win for Dallas at linebacker this week is the Commanders have two productive linebackers on their roster. Frankie Luvu is second on the team in sacks with seven, and the other linebacker is the great Bobby Wagner. He may not be the Wagner of years past, but he’s still a great tackler and still possesses high-level instincts to find the ball carrier.
Conclusion:
The Commanders linebackers have more sacks but the Cowboys group have more tackles. To break the tie is missed tackles, where Dallas has more.
Win: Commanders
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DEFENSIVE BACKS
Seeing this defensive back unit try and operate without DaRon Bland is a tough watch. Caelen Carson was left out last week and in his place stepped Josh Butler. He made one very good pass breakup but also gave up some big plays. Malik Hooker getting an interception was a good moment and although he’s been up and down this year. Markquese Bell left last week’s game early with a shoulder injury, he’s now being shutdown for the season. Jourdan Lewis missed last week so keep an eye on his status this week. And, of course, keep an eye on the situation with DaRon Bland that as he edges closer to starting.
The Commanders defensive backs enjoy the fact the defensive line is getting so much pressure up front. Although they are allowing very few passing yards, that factor is two-fold. One is due to the fact the defensive front is doing well creating pressure, but the other fact is due to teams finding it easier to run on them than passing. The team has few interceptions and has allowed more receiving touchdowns than Dallas. For everything the Commanders defense does well in the passing game, the passer rating allowed in comparison to Dallas is negligible. Jeremy Chinn is tackling everything that comes his way but the biggest threat in the secondary is the recently-acquired Marshon Lattimore. He could make his debut with the team this week.
Conclusion:
This would be much easier to deduce if Bland was in the mix here. Without him we have to give the nod to Washington based on the fact they are keeping the yards extremely low.
Win: Commanders
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SPECIAL TEAMS
Is there anything more Dallas this year than watching Brandon Aubrey looking to take a long field goal attempt, for a foul to go in Dallas’ favor, and then for that drive to end in zero points scored. Aubrey is fourth in field goals made and his 89% accuracy rating ranks 12th among starting kickers.
Austin Seibert has made two more field goals than Aubrey and has a 92% accuracy rating. Where these two kickers differ is in field goals of 50+ yards where they are miles apart. Aubrey has made ten field goals at long distance and has a 91% accuracy, Siebert has made one from three attempts.
KaVontae Turpin ranks second in kickoff return and punt return average, he also has a punt return for a touchdown.
Olamide Zaccheaus averages 10.9 yards per punt return, that ranks 19th, and Austin Ekler ranks sixth in kickoff return yards.
Win: Cowboys
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FC Dallas returns home tonight to host Western Conference rivals Real Salt Lake.
Lineups are in from both sides. Let’s dive into what Eric Quill’s starting group looks like, who is on the bench, and who we believe will see minutes later on in this one.
What Changed From Last Match
If it ain’t broke, right? This is the same group as last week that picked up three points in New York.
FC Dallas Lineup Notes:
Starting XI
Formation: 3-4-3
Bench
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Who should come off the bench?
I almost think you roll out the same group of subs that worked last week in New York. That would be Chris Cappis, Logan Farrington, Sebastien Ibeagha, Sam Sarver and maybe more minutes for Caleb Swann. That, or give Nicholas Simmonds a few more minutes out there.
Key Question Heading Into Kickoff
After ending a couple of streaks last week, can FC Dallas finally put together a complete performance at home?
There is no getting around it: this is a big one for FC Dallas tonight. They need to figure out how to get the most out of their home games here this week (and next) before being gone for three and a half months. If they can replicate what they did last week in New York where the defense was stout, the attack was clinical, and everything else in between came together…there is no reason why they can’t string together a couple of wins in a row here starting tonight.
Suspended: none
International duty: none
Season-ending injury list: Kaka Scabin (knee)
Out: Anderson Julio (Lower leg), Bernard Kamungo (lower leg)
Questionable: none
On Loan: Tsiki Ntsabeleng (Mamelodi Sundowns FC), Enes Sali (Al-Riyadh), Malachi Molina (Nashville SC), Geovane Jesus (North Texas SC), Enzo Newman (North Texas SC)
Unavailable (off-roster): Daniel Baran, Jaidyn Contreras
RSL Lineup Notes:
Formation: 5-4-1
Starting XI
How to watch
📅 Date: Saturday, May 9, 2026
⚽️ Kickoff: 7:30 PM
🏟 Venue: Toyota Stadium
📺 Streaming: MLS Season Pass
💬 Gameday Social: #FCDvRSL
☀️ Weather: 87, sunny
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FC Dallas returns home this weekend looking to build off last week’s road result as Real Salt lake comes to town for another important Western Conference matchup. With the schedule beginning to pile up before the summer World Cup break in June, grabbing points at Toyota Stadium feels more important than ever right now.
RSL arrives with one of the more balanced attacks in the conference and enough pace to punish mistakes in transition. For Dallas, this one is about staying organized defensively, controlling the midfield battle, and continuing to find consistency in the final third. If those three items can be checked off this weekend, there’s a real opportunity to keep the momentum moving in the right direction before a long summer road trip.
Let’s dive into some notes, predictions, and more.
TL;DR: Match Preview
Quick hits before kickoff.
- Score prediction: FC Dallas 2 – 1 Real Salt Lake
- Key player to watch: Petar Musa – To make the World Cup roster later this month for Croatia, Musa has to continue scoring here and guide the team to a big home win.
- Why this game matters: The next two are at home and after that there are nine straight road games. Dallas has to bank some points at home while they can before the long summer road trip.
FC Dallas Notes:
All-time vs RSL: FC Dallas holds a 24-15-13 all-time regular-season record against RSL. Dallas has scored 79 goals against Salt Lake. RSL has scored 63.
Home record vs RSL: Dallas has a solid 14-2-8 at home against RSL in regular season meetings. Dallas has scored 44 home goals against RSL. Salt Lake has scored 23 goals at Toyota Stadium versus Dallas. Dallas last won at home versus RSL on April 16, 2023. Jesús Ferreira and Bernanrd Kamungo scored for Dallas that night.
Homegrown clock: Homegrown keeper Michael Collodi was the only HGP earning minutes this season until Nolan Norris joined him on the field. Collodi has played the full 90 in each match, while Norris has been in and out of the lineup. Norris also has one goal on the season. Caleb Swann also made his debut off the bench in New York. Together, they have played 1595 minutes. To add more perspective here, Dallas HGPs only accounted for 1683 minutes in 2025.
What to Watch For: FC Dallas vs. Real Salt Lake FC Dallas returns to Toyota Stadium riding momentum from a historic road win in New York, but RSL arrives with one of the most dangerous young attacks in MLS. Here’s what to watch when the Burn host the Claret-and-Cobalt on Saturday.
Notable season stats:
- FCD is 7th in crosses in MLS with 144.
- The Burn are 6th in total distance covered in MLS with 286.24 km (800 miles).
- FCD is third in MLS in aerial challenges won with 171.
- FC Dallas is 9th in MLS in xG with 18.81.
- FCD is 8th in MLS in shot efficiency with 1.19.
- Musa is 4th in MLS in xG with 7.77. He also ranks tied for 4th in MLS in shots with 40.
Potential FC Dallas Lineup:
With another three-games in seven days stretch coming up, Eric Quill will likely go with as strong of a lineup as possible in these next two home games.
Formation: 3-4-3
Projected Starting XI
Availability & Disciplinary Report
⚽
Disciplinary Report
Suspended: none
Suspended with next yellow card: none
Suspended with next two yellow cards: Osaze Urhoghide, Nolan Norris
🗒️
Availability Report
Season-ending injury list: Kaka Scabin
Out: Anderson Julio (Lower leg), Bernard Kamungo (lower leg)
Questionable: none
On Loan: Tsiki Ntsabeleng (Mamelodi Sundowns FC), Enes Sali (Al-Riyadh), Malachi Molina (Nashville SC), Geovane Jesus (North Texas SC), Enzo Newman (North Texas SC)
Unavailable (off-roster): Daniel Baran, Jaidyn Contreras
International duty: none
Real Salt Lake Notes:
Key player for RSL: Diego Luna
Scouting Real Salt Lake: What FC Dallas Needs to Know 🔎 A detailed scouting report on RSL ahead of FC Dallas’ 2026 showdown, breaking down formations, key players, tendencies, and tactical edges.
Disciplinary Report
Suspended: none
Suspended on next yellow card: none
Availability Report
Out: Jesus Barea (knee), Emeka Eneli (knee), Ari Piol (Achilles)
Questionable: Juan Jose Arias (groin), Justen Glad (groin), Lukas Engel (hip)
International duty: none
Big game this week for FC Dallas. Before we get into it, members have the full scouting report, projected lineups, and injury report. If you want to go into Matchday actually knowing what to watch for, now’s the time.
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A mystery trust bought one of the most expensive homes in Texas this week — just months after buying another multimillion dollar property nearby.
The Lost River Trust bought the mansion at 4815 Saint Johns Drive in Highland Park from Dallas entrepreneurs Melbourne and Jamie O’Banion on May 5, according to county records. The final sale price is undisclosed, but the sellers had the home listed for $24.9 million at the time.
The six-bedroom, eight-bathroom home spans 11,433 square feet on a 0.6-acre lot, according to the listing. It was built by Mark Molthan and designed by Tom Weber. They listed the home on March 23 for about $2,200 per square foot.
Allie Beth Allman, founder of the eponymous brokerage, represented the sellers. Damon Williamson with The Agency represented the buyer, according to Redfin.
Just two Dallas homes last year sold with listing prices higher than $25 million, though both sold for well below what they asked. The trust of the late Fortress Investment Group CEO Josh Pack sold his former home at 6601 Hunters Glen Road for $30.5 million after asking $35 million, and manufacturer Guinn Crousen sold his home at 4000 Euclid Avenue for $25.5 million after asking $33 million.
Only six homes in Texas are asking a higher price, according to Zillow. Two effectively tie with the home on Saint Johns Drive: a spec mansion on Strait Lane that’s asking $25 million, and another new construction at 4 Lana Lane in Houston that’s asking $25.5 million.
The Lost River Trust bought another luxury home just six months ago. On Nov. 14, the trust purchased the home at 3709 Euclid Avenue, a four-bedroom, six-bathroom, 5,845-square-foot house that was asking $14 million when it withdrew from the market in September. It’s about half a mile south of the home on Saint Johns Drive.
Melbourne O’Banion is the CEO of Dallas-based tech startup Bestow, which produces software for life insurance companies. His wife Jamie O’Banion is the founder of Dallas-based cosmetics company BeautyBio.
The Crespi Estate at 5619 Walnut Hill Lane, listed by the Cox Family for $64 million, remains the most expensive home on the market in Texas.
Read more
Dallas entrepreneurs Jamie and Melbourne O’Banion list Highland Park mansion for $25M
Estate of late Dallas plastic surgeon Sam Hamra sells historic Highland Park teardown to mystery buyer
Robert Vaughn buys University Park spec mansion that asked $26M
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