Sometimes AA puts flights in to the same gates. LGA, for example, usually gets decent and consistent placement.

I suspected that BWI and MSY (both low cost destinations generally) did not get such preference. I took a quick look on AA.com and the flights have not arrived/departed from the same gates consistently over the past couple of days. Flight 2037 from MSY- to DFW has arrived at gates A18, C32 and C33. Flight 1664 from DFW to BIW has departed from A16, C14 and A34. 27 minutes can be tough to get from A to C terminals.

I would try the DCA option. They will often allow you to change airports/routings because of a schedule change like this. You can route through MIA or STL to get there before 2.