The Chargers take on the Chicago Bears this Sunday. The Bears are bringing with them a 3rd down conversion rate of 36% (18th in NFL) and a red zone efficiency rate of 57% (7th in NFL).

In this weekly article, Pro Football Spotlight will bring you the upcoming opponent’s rushing and passing tendencies, as well as some additional data and observations. For example: Did you know that the Buffalo Bills are 1st in the NFL in the number of sacks, per passing attempt?

Every team in the NFL has strengths and weaknesses, tendencies, and go-to guys. They have plays they like to call during tight situations or directions they like to run when in the middle of the football field.

Let’s take a look at the rest of those tendencies…

Rushing Offense

Rushing Notes:

• Above, is a new slider graph we are trying at PFS. First, you will see the opponent run tendencies. If you click the ribbon (grey column) on the right you will see how opponents are doing against the Chargers’ defense. Hope you like it.

• The Bills like to attack the middle of the formation in the run game.  They have attacked the middle 102 times this year, 9th most in the NFL.

• Since the Chargers have been attacked directly at their middle 143 times this year, 2 most attempts in the NFL, then look for Buffalo to keep doing what they like.  That 4.3 yards, per attempt, that has been given up by the Chargers’ defense directly in the middle of their defense, is too good to pass up.

• Buffalo is getting their best production, compared to the league, over the left tackle and left end areas.  When running toward the left tackle, the Bills get around 5.5 yards, per attempt (4th in the NFL), and 6.8 yards, per attempt, over the left end (7th in NFL).

Passing Offense

Passing Notes:

• The Buffalo Bills really like to throw the ball to the deep right side of the field when they go long.  They have attempted 34 throws to that side of the field, which is 5th most in the NFL.  The problem has been that they are only getting 32% of their passes in that zone completed.  And since the Chargers are only giving up 33% (11th best in the NFL)…look for the Bills to continue their lower success rate in that area.

• The Bills appear to like to throw to the short left and short middle zones, as well.  They are currently ranked 7th and 6th in the NFL in the number of attempts to those zones.  The match-up the Bills would like is the short middle zone where the Chargers are giving up a 68% completion rate (23rd in NFL).

• The Chargers have been attacked the most in the short right side of the field.  That zone has been attacked 101 times, so far this year, and is giving up 6.8 yards, per attempt (32nd in NFL).

• Look for the Bills to keep doing what they like…but also take advantage of the Chargers’ short left zone.  Since San Diego is giving up a 75% completion rate in that area…why not attack it.  It just looks too good to pass up for the Bills.