Anthony Spencer

Anthony Spencer forced a fumble on Thursday night and feels that his knee surgery is behind him and he can regain Pro Bowl form.

Fantasy Impact

The Cowboys need sacks and the Eagles rank sixth in the NFL in least sacks allowed; for the Cowboys to make an effect in the pass rush, they need Spencer. In 2012, Spencer was a Pro Bowl performer with 11 sacks and has only half a sack since, recorded in Week 9. Spencer has been a part of the defense since Week 4 and has gotten more active in his past five games. Spencer has been successful against the Eagles in his career, as he has 5 and a half sacks against the Eagles in 13 games and had two sacks in Philadelphia in 2010. Spencer could be lined up against Pro Bowl tackle Jason Peters so he needs to be at the top of his game to make an impact.

The tape from Week 6 against Seattle shows that Anthony Spencer is looking very good.

Fantasy Impact

As with most of the defense, Spencer had a lot of good pressure and 1-on-1 wins versus the lineman in front of him, but none of those pressures led to sacks. Spencer's return to form as a pass rusher could be the answer to the Cowboys getting some sacks. Between Spencer getting more snaps, rookie DeMarcus Lawrence being back in practice, and fellow rookie Tyrone Crawford attacking quarterbacks, the Cowboys defense may even get better. There are matchups like the Jacksonville matchup in Week 10 where the Cowboys are a great one week option, but the Cowboys may quickly ascend to a weekly defensive option.

Anthony Spencer returned to the field for the Cowboys in 38-17 win over New Orleans, his first game played since Week 3 of 2013.

Fantasy Impact

Spencer may have only played 22 snaps but his 3 tackles and quarterback hurry show that he can add to a desperate pass rush for the Cowboys. Five sacks for the Cowboys through four games is not going to get the job done in the long run and Spencer's 12 sacks in 2012 show that he can add an extra dimension for the defense. The Cowboys defense has looked solid at times this year and held the Saints scoreless in the first half with two sacks and five quarterback hurries. Spencer will be slowly phased back into being a full time starter and continue to strengthen the Cowboys defense.

Anthony Spencer may return against the Saints on Sunday night.

Fantasy Impact

For those in leagues with IDPs, Anthony Spencer may return this week and could be a decent play. Spencer had knee surgery that ruined his 2013 season, but the former 1st round pick had 11 sacks, 95 tackles, and a Pro Bowl appearance in 2012. Spencer should be able to generate a solid pass rush against a Saints team that will want to pressure the overly ambitious Dallas secondary.