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NFL Week 15: Trends which will decide each game

By Russell S. Baxter

CLEVELAND, OHIO - DECEMBER 14: Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens rushes the ball during the third quarter in the game against the Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium on December 14, 2020 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OHIO - DECEMBER 14: Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens rushes the ball during the third quarter in the game against the Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium on December 14, 2020 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /
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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – DECEMBER 13: Running back Jonathan Taylor #28 of the Indianapolis Colts runs against the Las Vegas Raiders in the second half of their game at Allegiant Stadium on December 13, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Colts defeated the Raiders 44-27. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – DECEMBER 13: Running back Jonathan Taylor #28 of the Indianapolis Colts runs against the Las Vegas Raiders in the second half of their game at Allegiant Stadium on December 13, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Colts defeated the Raiders 44-27. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /

San Francisco 49ers (5-8) at Dallas Cowboys (4-9), 1:00 pm

49ers: Could Kyle Shanahan’s club have a fighting chance this week with the game in Arlington? Yes, the Niners played their last two “home” games at Arizona and boast a 1-6 home record – including 1-4 at their own digs. But the 49ers are 4-2 on the road this year and will face the team that has allowed the most points in the league in ’20.

Cowboys: Quarterback Andy Dalton beat his former employer last week and the team not only allowed a season-low seven points last week at Cincinnati, it was the first time this year that the Cowboys did not give up at least 20 points in any game. But will the worst run defense in the league slow down a respectable 49ers’ ground attack?

Houston Texans (4-9) at Indianapolis Colts (9-4), 1:00 pm

Texans: The defense has been a major issue in recent seasons and following a 36-7 loss at Chicago last week, the Texans have now slipped to 31st in the league in both total yards and rushing yards allowed. The lack of big plays by this unit has also been a problem for Houston. The club has forced a league-worst eight turnovers in 13 outings.

Colts: After being pushed around by the Titans in Week 11, Frank Reich’s club has bounced back in a big way with a combined 70 points in road victories over the Texans and Raiders the last two games. And perhaps the best news at Las Vegas was a season-high 212 rushing yards – 150 of those (2 TDs) by rookie running back Jonathan Taylor.

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