Anthony Spencer isn't talking about his contract until the end of the season.

But he can probably let his play do the talking for him; the Dallas linebacker is putting together his best season, with a career-high six-and-a-half sacks through Week 12. He had two, plus 10 tackles, in a loss to Washington on Sunday.

The Cowboys have had a slew of injuries at linebacker, leaving Spencer to call the defensive plays.

It might be another notch on the résumé for a big long-term deal this offseason for Spencer.

• Ryan Kerrigan's streak came to an end Sunday.

The second-year Washington linebacker hadn't missed a snap in his NFL career, until the end of the Redskins' blowout win over Philly in Week 11.

• Dustin Keller wasn't happy at the end of the latest Jets' loss, a 30-point blowout at home to New England on Thanksgiving night.

And it was the fans who had him the most upset.

• Rob Ninkovich was a defensive end at Purdue, and he is again now in New England.

But the former Boiler's athleticism has always led some to think he could play tight end; Ninkovich caught a couple TDs during his Purdue career, and is lobbying for a chance now with the Patriots.

• The Ravens have plenty of respect for Chargers' center Nick Hardwick.

The two teams played deep into overtime Sunday, with the Ravens winning by a field goal.

• Speaking of the Ravens, safety Bernard Pollard might face a fine for a hit vs. the Chargers, particularly after speaking out against the league's crackdown.

• After climbing back to .500, Drew Brees and the Saints are back under, following a loss to San Francisco Sunday.

But Brees is still confident New Orleans can make the playoffs.

The following is a look at the NFL Boilers, their roles and their Week 12 statistics.

Dallas Cowboys (5-6, 38-31 loss to Washington; host Philadelphia at 8:20 p.m. Sunday)

No.	Pos.	Player	Role	Game Statistics
#8	QB	Kyle Orton	Reserve	Did not play
#93	LB	Anthony Spencer	Starter	10 tackles, 2 sacks, 2 TFL, 2 QH, 1 pass defensed

New England Patriots (8-3, 49-19 win at New York Jets; play at Miami at 1 p.m. Sunday)

No.	Pos.	Player	Role	Game Statistics
#90	LB	Niko Koutouvides	Reserve	None
#50	LB/DE	Rob Ninkovich	Starter	1 tackles, 1 FR

San Diego Chargers (4-7, 16-13 OT loss to Baltimore; host Cincinnati at 4:05 p.m. Sunday)

No.	Pos.	Player	Role	Game Statistics
#61	C	Nick Hardwick	Starter	Chargers gained 91 yards rushing; line allowed six sacks
#95	LB	Shaun Phillips	Starter	3 tackles, 1 sack, 2 TFL, 1 QH

Baltimore Ravens (9-2, 16-13 OT win at San Diego; host Pittsburgh at 4:25 p.m. Sunday)

No.	Pos.	Player	Role	Game Statistics
#31	SS	Bernard Pollard	Starter	8 tackles

Chicago Bears (8-3, 28-10 win over Minnesota; host Seattle at 1 p.m. Sunday)

No.	Pos.	Player	Role	Game Statistics
#86	TE	Kyle Adams	Reserve	None

Detroit Lions (4-7, 34-1 OT loss to Houston; host Indianapolis at 1 p.m. Sunday)

No.	Pos.	Player	Role	Game Statistics
#92	DE	Cliff Avril	Starter	2 tackles, 2 sacks, 1 TFL, 1 QH, 1 FF

Green Bay Packers (7-4, 39-10 loss at New York Giants; host Minnesota at 1 p.m. Sunday)

No.	Pos.	Player	Role	Game Statistics
#96	DE	Mike Neal	Reserve	None

Jacksonville Jaguars (2-9, 24-19 win over Tennessee; play at Buffalo at 1 p.m. Sunday)

No.	Pos.	Player	Role	Game Statistics
#77	RG	Uche Nwaneri	Starter	Jags gained 100 yards rushing; line allowed seven sacks

New Orleans Saints (5-6, 31-21 loss to San Francisco; play at Atlanta at 8:20 p.m. Thursday)

No.	Pos.	Player	Role	Game Statistics
#9	QB	Drew Brees	Starter	20-of-27 passing for 219 yards, 3 TDs / 0 int., for a 134.6 QB rating

New York Jets (4-7, 49-19 loss to New England; host Arizona at 1 p.m. Sunday)

No.	Pos.	Player	Role	Game Statistics
#81	TE	Dustin Keller	Reserve	5 rec., 64 yards, 1 TD

Philadelphia Eagles (3-8, 30-22 loss to Carolina; play at Dallas at 8:20 p.m. Sunday)

No.	Pos.	Player	Role	Game Statistics
#67	RT	Dennis Kelly	Starter	Eagles gained 204 yards rushing; line allowed one sack

Tennessee Titans (4-7, 24-19 loss at Jacksonville; host Houston at 1 p.m. Sunday)

No.	Pos.	Player	Role	Game Statistics
#66	OT	Mike Otto	Reserve	Titans gained 110 yards rushing; line allowed one sack

Washington Redskins (5-6, 38-31 win at Dallas; host New York Giants at 8:30 p.m. Monday)

No.	Pos.	Player	Role	Game Statistics
#91	LB	Ryan Kerrigan	Starter	4 tackles, 1 sack, 1 TFL, 1 QH, 1 pass defensed

Copyright, Boilers, Inc. 2012. All Rights Reserved. Reproducing or using editorial or graphical content, in whole or in part, without permission, is strictly prohibited. E-mail GoldandBlack.com/Boilers, Inc.

GoldandBlack.com Mobile for your iPhone | GoldandBlack.com Mobile for your Android

Check out GoldandBlack.com on | |

...More... To continue reading this article you must be a member. Sign Up Now for a FREE Trial