Aldon Smith has been one of the few bright spots for the Dallas Cowboys in 2020. After a five-year absence, he currently leads the Cowboys with four sacks (seventh in the NFL), is fourth in tackles with 29, and second in quarterback pressures with 15.
As the Cowboys get set to take one the Arizona Cardinals on Monday night, they’ll need their defense, which is ranked 29th in yards and yields 36 points per game, to step up and put pressure on dual-threat quarterback Kyler Murray. Smith, with his history on Monday Night Football, could be the key.
In five games on Monday Night Football in his career, Smith has accumulated 12 sacks which are the most for any active player in the NFL. His most dominant performance came in November of 2012 as a member of the San Francisco 49ers. He registered an unreal 5.5 sacks in a 32-7 victory over the Chicago Bears on route to 19.5 for the season and garnering first-team All-Pro honors.
Smith had this to say postgame about playing when the spotlight is the biggest.
“I have a thing for night games,” Smith said. “I love playing at night. I love the lights.”
The Cowboys only rank 20th in the NFL in sacks per game (2) and Smith himself hasn’t had a sack since racking up three vs the Seattle Seahawks in a Week 3 loss.
Monday night would be the perfect time for Smith to turn back the clock and help keep the Cowboys atop the NFC East.
