clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Cowboys vs. Steelers: Anthony Spencer stepping up

Anthony Spencer has stepped up on defense, setting career-highs in sacks and tackles so far in 2012.

By JP Starkey
Tom Pennington

DeMarcus Ware isn't the only member of the Dallas Cowboys known for sacking the quarterback.

Fellow linebacker Anthony Spencer notched his 10th sack of the season in Week 15, helping the Cowboys defeat the Pittsburgh Steelers. Per Brandon George, the 2012 season is the first since 2007 that the Cowboys have had two players register double-digit sack totals.

Ware leads the team with 11.5 through Dallas' first 14 games.

Spencer's previous career-high in sacks was six. Spencer recorded six sacks in two years -- 2009 and 2011.

In addition to setting a career-high in sacks in 2012, Spencer also has set a career-high in tackles. Through Week 15, Spencer has recorded 80 combined tackles, eclipsing his career-high of 67 that he set in 2009.

Dallas has needed every bit of Spencer's effort on defense, as the Cowboys have been decimated by injuries. Sean Lee, Jay Ratliff and Barry Church are among the Cowboys who have missed extensive time with injuries this season.

Spencer will be an unrestricted free agent following the season, after playing out the 2012 season under a franchise tag.

Photographs by jamesbrandon, jdtornow, phlezk, flygraphix, mcdlttx, tomasland, and literalbarrage used in background montage under Creative Commons. Thank you.