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Position battleground (defense): Cowboys vs Commanders head-to-head breakdown

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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

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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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Chicago Bears v Washington 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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Washington Commanders v Philadelphia Eagles

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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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Dallas, TX

Petar Musa’s Brace Not Enough as FC Dallas Draws LA Galaxy 2-2

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Petar Musa’s Brace Not Enough as FC Dallas Draws LA Galaxy 2-2


For a moment, it looked like FC Dallas was on its way to another statement win at home tonight.

Petar Musa scored two first half goals, to extend his Golden Boot leading tally to nine goals. But after Dallas grabbed control, the Galaxy found a way back before halftime with goals from Lucas Sanabria and Joseph Paintsil.

The second half brought more chances and more frustration for Dallas, which finished the night with 13 shots to LA’s nine. In the end, the point stretched Dallas’ unbeaten run to five games, though just like last week, it felt like another match where Dallas left points on the table.

Key Moments

7’ – GOAL! After a poor pass back by a LA defender, Petar Musa was free to go one-on-one with the LA goalkeeper. After a touch to get ahead of a defender, Musa slotted home his eighth goal of the season from outside the penalty box.

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21’ – Offside! Joaquin Valiente sent a floating ball over the Galaxy defense, where Musa was able to get behind the defense and make an easy play for what appeared to be his second goal of the night. The play was called offside despite a fairly lengthy review period.

38’ – GOAL! This one counts! Musa gets his second of the night off a great ball from Chris Cappis. Logan Farrington picked off the ball in the midfield. He then played Cappis wide to the left of the penalty area. Cappis immediately played a ball back across the goal for Musa to slide in and finish for his ninth of the season.

43’ – Goal LA. Lucas Sanabria got the ball near the top of the penalty area. He took a couple of touches to get outside the penalty box before firing a shot that beat Michael Collodi at the near post.

45+4’ – Goal LA. Gabriel Pec got the ball near the top of the penalty area. He pulled the ball back a bit, which caught a pair of Dallas defenders. This allowed Joseph Painstil to get free behind the Dallas defense as Pec played him through inside the penalty area. Pec immediately smashed home a shot above Collodi to tie the game.

75’ – Another offside goal. This time on a corner kick for Dallas, after a scrum in the penalty box, Kaick hammered home what looked to be the go-ahead goal. But after a few seconds the flag was raised due to a deflection on Osaze Urhoghide, who was in an offside position.

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Instant Reaction

Yeah, this is another disappointing result for this team. In a real way, it felt like the first half against Houston from last month. Dallas grabbed the lead, looked in control, but some defensive miscues opened the game up for the visitors to climb back.

With a double-game week coming up, this will certainly be another game where Dallas will wonder ‘what if’ more than anything else…especially when you factor in the two goals called off for offside.

About the Subs

Eric Quill went to his bench for the first time in the 66th minute, as he brought on Santiago Moreno for Logan Farrington. Quill went to his bench again 81st minute with Ran Binyamin and Nolan Norris coming on for Sebastien Ibeagha and Deedson. The final sub came during stoppage time with Herman Johansson and Joaquin Valiente coming off for Sam Sarver and rookie Nick Simmonds, who made his MLS debut.

Man of the Match

No question about it tonight, it has to be Musa.

Where does this fit into the season

As of this writing, the draw puts Dallas into a three-way tie for 5th place with Real Salt Lake and Seattle. Both are in action right now and look firmly in control of their games. I’d expect Dallas to be in 7th place by the end of the night.

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What’s next for FC Dallas

Dallas wraps up a three-game homestand next Wednesday night as they host Minnesota United.



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Akheem Mesidor selected by Cowboys by Blogging The Boys in SB Nation’s community mock draft

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Akheem Mesidor selected by Cowboys by Blogging The Boys in SB Nation’s community mock draft


Akheem Mesidor, Edge, Miami

Pass rush has been an issue since the Micah Parsons trade. The Rashan Gary trade helped, but Dallas still needs an injection of talent. Akheem Mesidor fits here because his body size allows for some versatility inside and out, something DC Christian Parker utilizes. Mesidor is also a high-motor player with a deep bag of pass rush moves.

His last season at Miami was full of disruption in the offensive backfield and he shows an all-around game, not just a bend-around-the-edge pass rusher. Yes, he’s a little older than you’d like in a rookie (25), but his motor, pass rush toolbox, and ability to play the run matches up with a need and makes him a quality pick at number 20.



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Dallas Hosting Public Safety Response Symposium

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Dallas Hosting Public Safety Response Symposium


The City of Dallas Office of Community Police Oversight is hosting a Public Safety Response Symposium to connect residents with public safety leaders. Here’s how to participate on May 9.

The Dallas Police Department posted to social media about the event on Friday afternoon. The post states, “Join public safety leaders for an inside look at how emergency and non-emergency calls are handled and how resources are deployed across Dallas.”

The symposium will be held at the Briscoe Carpenter Livestock Center, 1403 Washington St., fro 11 a.m.-noon on May 9. Doors open at 9:30 a.m. Light breakfast and refreshments will be provided.

Topics for the symposium include:

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  • How 911 calls are handled and dispatched
  • How DPD uses specialized units and technology to improve response times
  • When to use 311 for non-emergency services
  • How crisis and behavioral health teams collaborate through alternative response strategies

There will also be a community Q&A forum where residents can engage directly with public safety leaders. Moderation will be provided.

Dallas Police Chief Daniel C. Comeaux will offer the opening remarks. Featured speakers include 911 Communications Center Assistant Director Robert Uribe; Major of Police Anthony Greer; 311 Senior Outreach Specialist Stephen Walker; and Emergency Management & Crisis Response Director Kevin Oden.

When it comes to parking: Enter through Gate 2 and drive straight to the Pan Am Gate, and continue to the Briscoe Center (located on the left).

RSVP for the Public Safety Response Symposium here.





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