A deeper look reveals something else that's changed since Orton was inserted into the starting lineup: TE Scott Chandler has become a focal point in the offensive game plan. Chandler's emergence in the passing game and the Bills subsequent uptick in passing game production is this week's opponent X-factor.
Chandler has been targeted more in the past two games with Orton (15) than in the first four games with Manuel (13). In Orton's first start two weeks ago in Detroit, Chandler hauled in four receptions on six targets and last week against the New England Patriots Chandler was particularly effective, catching six passes for 105 yards in nine targets.
Part of the reason the Bills are able to involve Chandler so much, despite defenses trying to neutralize him, is that they are diverse in how they deploy their talented pass-catching tight end. They line him up in-line and offset, they use him in stacked or bunched formations, they line him up in the slot and short slot, and they even motion him from time-to-time. They show a minor tendency in which side he lines up, as he's been on the right side of the formation on nine of those 15 targets, but it's also notable that he's averaged 15.0 yards per target while lining up on the left side of the formation and just 3.9 yards per target while lining up on the right side.
A final aspect of the Bills X-factor worth mentioning is what the opposition can do to help neutralize Chandler. Last week, the Patriots frequently used a defensive lineman to chip or even jam Chandler at the line of scrimmage before releasing him and resuming a pass rush.
