FRISCO, Texas – After a bye weekend of rest and reflection, we start this week stats column with the Cowboys’ place in the early-season NFC playoff picture, and wel finish with a glance at Sunday opponent, the oh-so-close San Francisco 49ers:1. Playoff Magic Number?The Aaron Rodgers injury is a potential game-changer for the NFC playoff race. You can count out the Packers based on their track record, but suddenly a legitimate contender like Green Bay is without its superstar quarterback for the foreseeable future – and that could mean a more wide-open conference race for the Cowboys and others https://www.cowboysteamfansstore.com/Luther_Kirk_Jersey-295.Fans’ bye-week angst over the Cowboys’ playoff chances is understandable. Theye 2-3, theye lost two straight at home, and now theye staring at a six-game suspension foris to the offense despite his overall rushing average dropping from 5.1 to 3.7 so far this season.Thanks mostly to Elliott, the Cowboys are once again near the top of the league in short-yardage situations. According to STATS, theye tied for first in 4th-and-1 conversions (5 of 5) and 10th in 3rd-and-1 conversions (6 of 7).Last year, the Cowboys tied first on 4th-and-1 (7 of 7) and ranked third on 3rd-and-1 (20 of 26).Elliott is a major catalyst in keeping drives alive – and the offense must find ways to gain tough yards if he not on the field at some point this season Dallas Cowboys Jerseys.3. So Close In San FranciscoThis past Sunday, the 49ers set an NFL record with five straight losses by three points or less. Now 0-6, their last five losses have come by a total of 13 points.The Cowboys’ record for consecutive losses by a field goal or less is three in 2002 (9-6 to Arizona; 17-14 to Seattle; 9-7 to Detroit) on their way to a 5-11 season Ha Ha Clinton-Dix Jersey.Next closest is two straight losses in 1999, 1996 and 1974.4. The PuntisherChris Jones got that nickname for de-cleating Detroit Andre Roberts during a punt return last December. But his punting has been a major field position weapon for the Cowboys through five games.The Cowboys are tied for the third-most punts inside the 20-yard line (12). And, four of the five teams ranked ahead of them have played one extra game.Jones was a major factor in the Cowboys’ critical Week 3 win at Arizona, landing four of his seven punts inside the 20.