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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Dallas, TX
Public frustration grows as Dallas leaders debate billion‑dollar City Hall fix or relocation
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.
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