San Diego Chargers (1961-Present)

Historical Moments:
1961: After beating the Texans in Dallas 26-10, the Chargers made their San Diego debut, as they crushed the Oakland Raiders 44-0 at Balboa Stadium. The Chargers would stay hot winning their first 11 games to easily capture the Western Division Title. However, after losing 2 of their last 3 games the Chargers limped into the AFL Championship Game, as they were beaten by the Houston Oilers 10-3 before a disappointed crowd of 29,556 at Balboa Stadium.

1962: After the departure of QB Jack Kemp the Chargers turn to John Hadl, who struggles with turnovers, as the Chargers endure an injury plague season in which 23 players miss at least 2 games with injures, on the way to a disappointing 4-10 season.

1963: The Chargers bounce back with Tobin Rote having an outstanding season at Quarterback passing for 2,510 yards, many of which came courtesy of WR AFLance Alworth who scores 11 Touchdowns while collect 1,205 receiving yards, as he earns AFL Player of the Year honors. Led by Alworth and Rote the Chargers recapture the West with a solid 11-3 record. In the AFL Championship Game at Balboa Stadium the Chargers slaughter the Boston Patriots 51-10 as RB Keith Lincoln accounts for 349 yards in total offense.

1964: John Hadl reclaims the starting job at Quarterback, as the Chargers take control of the Western Division early by getting off to a solid 7-2-1. However, the injury bug would bite at the end of the season as the Chargers lost 3 of their final 4 games. However, the early start was good enough as the Chargers won the West for the 4th time in 5 years with an 8-5-1. In the Championship Game already playing without Lance Alworth due to a knee injury the Chargers lose RB Keith Lincoln in the first Quarter to a rib injury as the Chargers are beaten by the Bills 20-7 in Buffalo.

1965: The Chargers continue to be the best in the west as the win their 5th Western Division Title in 6 years with a 9-2-3 record as RB Paul Lowe and WR Lance Alworth finish 1-2 in AFL Player of the Year voting. However, in the AFL Championship Game at Balboa Stadium the Chargers are beaten by the Buffalo Bills again 23-0.

1966: After a solid 4-0 start the Chargers start to struggle winning just 1 of their next 7 games as their hopes for a Division Championship Died. The Chargers would go on to finish win 3rd Place with a disappointing 7-6-1 record.

1967: The Chargers open the brand new state of the state of the art San Diego Stadium with a solid 28-14 win over the Boston Patriots. However, the most memorable game at the new stadium came on October 15th when Speedy Duncan had a career day by collecting 203 return yards, (35 on a fumble recovery for a touchdown, 68 on 4 kickoff returns, and 100 for a TD on the longest interception return in AFL history) as the Chargers defeat Kansas City 45-31. The game was the highlight of an impressive 8-1-1 start. However, the Chargers would come crashing down ass they fell out of first place with a 4-game losing streak to end their season with a disappointing 8-5-1 record.

1968: The Chargers get off to another solid start winning 8 of their first 10 games. However, for the 3rd year in a row they fade down the stretch losing 3 of their final 4 games on the way to finishing 3rd with a 9-5 record.

1969: Playing although early schedule the Chargers get off to a slow start as their playoff hopes fade during a 4-6 start. However, in a reversal of previous season they finish the season on a solid note winning their last 4 games to finish with an 8-6 record. Following the season Coach Sid Gillman is forced to step down due to health concerns he would remain on as GM.

1970: Now led by Coach Charlie Waller the Chargers struggle out of the gate going winless through their first 4 games. The Chargers would bounce back with a 5 game unbeaten streak. However, they would fade down the stretch winning just once to finish with a disappointing 5-6-3 record. Following the season Waller is demoted to Offensive Coach as Sid Gillman returns to his post after stepping down as GM.

1971: Sid Gillman's second stint lead the Chargers never got off the ground, as the club struggled losing 4 of their first 5 games. The Chargers would turn it around by winning 3 of their next 4, but after a gut wrenching 34-33 loss to the Raiders in Oakland, Gillman would resign. General Manager Harland Svare would run the team the rest of the way as the Chargers finished with a 6-8 record.

1972: In Harland Svare's first full season as coach the Chargers enter a rebuilding mode as the GM-Coach engineers 21 trades in 221 days. Consequently, the Chargers would not so much spark on the field finishing with a 4-9-1 record, as QB John Hadl struggles with interceptions all season. Following the season Hadl would be dealt the Los Angeles Rams.

1973: The Chargers acquire legendary QB Johnny Unitas to replace John Hadl, and to tutor rookie Dan Fouts. However, there is no magic left in the legendary quarterback's arm as he completes just 34 passes for 471 yards. Fouts would take over, but would struggle with turnovers as the Chargers got off to a 1-6-1 start leading Harland Svare to step down as coach. His replacement Ron Waller would no do much better winning just 1 of 6 as the Chargers finished with a terrible 2-11-1 record.

1974: The Chargers get a new coach and a new look, as Tommy Prothro takes over on the field the Chargers switch from white to blue helmets. However, QB Dan Fouts still struggles with turnovers as the Charger lose 6 of their first 7 games. However, the team would finish the season on a strong note winning their final 32 games to finish with a 5-9. Leading the 2nd half resurgence is RB Don Wood who rushes for 1,162 while capturing Offensive Rookie of the Year honors.

1975: With Dan Fouts taking a step backward by throwing just 2 TD passes to 10 interceptions and RB Don Wood suffering a sophomore jinx the Chargers start the season in tail spin losing their first 11 games. The Chargers would win 2 in a row, before being blown out by the Bengals 47-17 in Cincinnati to finish with a terrible 2-12 record.

1976: Led by a 27 point explosion in the 2nd Quarter the Chargers beat the St. Louis Cardinals 43-24 to complete a 3-0 start. However, the Chargers would win just 1 of their next 7 games as QB Dan Fouts struggled with inconstancy, as the Chargers finished with a 6-8 record.

1977: The Chargers get off to a solid start winning 3 of their first 4 games. However, inconstant play would hurt the Chargers again as they lost 4 of their next 5 games. Playing with 4thstring QB Cliff Olander the Chargers would stun the Oakland Raiders 12-7 at San Diego to stop the skid, and start a 3-game winning streak. However, the Chargers would drop their last 2 to finish with a 7-7 record.

1978: After beating the Seahawks in Seattle the Chargers appeared to be poised for a 2-0 start leading the Oakland Raiders 20-14 in the final seconds at San Diego Stadium. However the Raiders pulled the old-fashioned fumblerooskie play and stunned the Chargers with a 21-20 win. The loss would send the Chargers reeling as it was the start of a 3-game losing streak. At 1-4 Coach Tommy Prothro would step down and be replaced by Don Coryell. The Chargers losing streak hit 4 in their first under Coryell, but they would quickly get it turned around as Dan Fouts came of age by passing for 2,999 yards. However their 9-7 record was not good enough for a Wild Card spot.

1979: In Don Coryell's first full season as Coach the Chargers get off to a terrific start winning their first 3 games, as the Chargers become a pass happy team earning the nickname Air Coryell. Air Coryell would see Dan Fouts set a record with 4 straight 300-yard passing games as he passed for 4,082 yards on the season, with WR John Jefferson and Charlie Joiner reaching surpassing 1,000 yards in receptions. Air Coryell would net 411 points as the Chargers won the AFC West with a 12-4 record, also earning Home Field Advantage. However, their season would come to an end with a disappointing 17-14 loss to an injury depleted Houston Oilers team in the Divisional Playoffs.

1980: Air Coryall continues to soar as the Chargers win the AFC West for the 2nd straight year with an 11-5 record. The Chargers offense was flying high as Dan Fouts passed for 4,715 and 30 TD passes, as John Jefferson, Charlie Joiner and Kellen Winslow eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark in receptions. In the October 19th game in San Diego against the New York Giants Fouts passes for 444 yards setting a Charger single game record. In the Divisional Playoffs the Chargers win their first playoff game in 17 years by beating the Buffalo Bills before a sold out crowd in San Diego. However, the Chargers are beaten in the AFC Championship Game by their old nemesis the Oakland Raiders in a 34-27 shoot out in San Diego.

1981: Prior to the start of the season San Diego Stadium is renamed Jack Murphy Stadium in honor of the late sports editor of The San Diego Union, who was instrumental in landing the Chargers in San Diego. Air Coryall continued to fly despite the loss of WR John Jefferson as Wes Chandler slipped right in and joined Charlie Joiner, and Kellen Winslow with 1,000 yards in receptions, as Dan Fouts tops himself again by passing for 4,802 yards and 33 Touchdowns. Also joining in the fun was RB Chuck Muncie who scored 19 Touchdowns as he rushed for 1,144 yards, as the Chargers won the AFC West for the 3rd year in a row with a 10-6 record. In the Divisional Playoffs in Miami the Chargers grabbed a 24-0 lead. However, the Dolphins would comeback, and go ahead. With time winding down Dan Fouts led an epic drive that tied the game at 38 and sent the contest to overtime. Both teams had chances to win the game before Rolf Benirschke's 27-yard field goal with 1:08 left in the first OT gave the Chargers a 41-38 win in one of the greatest playoff games ever. As the game was over Kellen Winslow had to be helped off the field due to exhaustion. However, a week later the Chargers ran out of gas playing in -59 degree wind chills in Cincinnati losing the AFC Championship Game for the 2nd year in a row by a score of 27-7.

1982: After splitting their first two games the Chargers hold a 24-0 lead over the Raiders in Los Angeles in the first Monday Night Game after the strike. However, the Raiders would come storming back and stun the Chargers 28-24. The Chargers would recover to finish with a 6-3 record as Dan Fouts won Offensive Player of the year honors by passing for 2,883 yards in just 9 games as Wes Chandler collects 1,032 yards in receptions. Qualifying 5th the Chargers led by a balanced attack of Dan Fouts who passed for 333 yards and Chuck Muncie who rushed for 125 yards the Chargers beat the Steelers 31-28 in Pittsburgh. However, a week later the Chargers are stung by the Dolphins 34-13 in Miami as the Dolphins "Killer Bee" defense intercepts Dan Fouts five times.

1983: With Dan Fouts playing hurt the Chargers struggle early getting off to a 3-4 start. Things would only get worse as Fouts missed 6 weeks with a injured shoulder. However what made things worse was the Chargers defense which yielded 462 points as the Chargers struggled to finish with a 6-10 record.

1984: Prior to the start of the season the Chargers are sold to Alex Spanos who calls it the culmination of a dream. The Chargers would show allot of spark winning 4 of their first 6 games. However, defensive troubles would come up to bite the bolts again as the Chargers lost 3 straight on the way to a slide that would see them land in last place with a 7-9 record.

1985: A porous defense continues to be the achilles heel for eth Chargers as they play inconstant football all season finishing with an 8-8 record. The Chargers offense lit up the scoreboard scoring 467 points. However, the defense was lit up as well allowing 435 points. In one unforgettable game the Chargers held on to beat the Buffalo Bills 54-44 at the Murph.

1986: The Chargers open the season with 500 yards total offense in a 50-28 victory over the Miami Dolphins at the Murph. However, the Chargers would quickly plunge losing 7 straight before Coach Don Coryall reigns. Al Saunders would lead the Charge the rest of the season but the team would not do much better finishing with a disappointing 4-12 record.

1987: After a 1-1 start the Chargers replacement players go undefeated winning all three games replacement games. When the regulars returned they looked recharged winning four straight on their own to stand at 8-1. However, the Chargers would run out of gas losing their final six games including a season ending shutout against the Broncos in a blizzard in Denver. The loss in the snow would also mark the end of QB Dan Fouts career who retired as the NFL's 2n most prolific passer with 43,040 career yards through the air.

1988: Without Dan Fouts the Chargers suffer through a 6-10 season with new QB Mark Malone struggling all season passing for just 1,580 yards. Following the season Coach Al Saunders is fired and replaced by Dan Henning despite the Chargers ending the season on a strong note by winning 4 of their last 6 games.

1989: The Chargers defense show immense improvement as they hold opponents under 20-poinst in each of their last 14 games. However the offense misfires all season finishing with another poor 6-10 record, as newly acquired QB Jim McMahon struggles with injuries all season.

1990: The Chargers name Bobby Beathard their new General Manager his first draft pick would be LB Junior Seau to lead the Chargers young defense. However, with Bill Joe Toliver the 4th different QB in as many years the Chargers struggle again and finish with a 6-10 record again.

1991: The Chargers get off to a miserable start losing their first 5 games and 8 out of 9 on the way to 4-12 with their 5th different QB in 5 years John Friesz. Following the season Dan Henning and his entire coaching staff is fired and replaced by Bobby Ross.

1992: With yet another new starting QB Stan Humphries the Chargers struggle out of the gate losing their first 4 games. However led by a powerful defense the Chargers would turn it around winning 4 straight. After losing to the Chiefs 16- 14 in Kansas City the Bolts would go Charge to the top of the AFC West winning their last 7 games to win the AFC West with an 11-5 record. It was the first time ever that a team started 0-4 made the playoffs. In the first round the Chargers defense smothered the Chiefs all day in a 17-0 win at the Murph. However, a week later the Chargers were zapped themselves in a 34-0 onslaught by the Dolphins in Miami.

1993: With Quarterback Stan Humphries missing several games the Chargers find themselves stuck in the mud playing mediocre all year before finishing with a disappointing 8-8 record. Despite the disappointing season PK John Carney still made news by setting a record with 29 consecutive Field Goals made.

1994: The Chargers start the season with a bang as Stanley Richard returns an interception 99 yards for a touchdown to give the Chargers a lead on the way to a remarkable, 37-34, come-from-behind win over the Broncos in Denver to open the season. Two weeks later 99 was a magic number again as QB Stan Humphries hit WR Tony Martin on a 99-yard TD pass against the Seahawks in a 24-10 win in Seattle. The Chargers would continue to buzz winning their first 6 and 7 out of 8. However, the Chargers would struggle losing 4 out of 6. With first place slipping out of their grips the Chargers rebounded with a solid 21-6 win over the Jets in New York to clinch the division. A week later the Chargers would overcome an early deficit to beat the Steelers in Pittsburgh 37-34. The game was meaningless for the Steelers but it gave the Chargers a first round bye with an 11-5 record. In the Divisional Playoffs against the Miami Dolphins at Jack Murphy Stadium, the Chargers fell behind early, trailing 21-6 in the 3rd Quarter. However, the Chargers would start to grind the run the ball with Natrone Means, as the Chargers began to comeback against a tiring Dolphins defense. Holding the ball most of the 2nd half the Chargers took a 22-21, and held on to win a Pete Stoyonvich's desperation kick sailed right. In the AFC Championship Game the Chargers returned to Pittsburgh with more than a week off on the line. The Steelers would lead the Chargers all game, but in the 4th Quarter the Chargers would take the lead when Stan Humphries hit Tony Martin to give the Chargers a 17-13 lead. However, the Steelers would drive right up the field and to the doorstep of the Chargers endzone. Their the Chargers defense would stiffen up and not allow the Steelers in, as Dennis Gibson knocked down Neil O'Donnell's 4th Down pass with 1:04 left. When the Chargers got back to San Diego 70,000 fans greeted them as they got back to the Murph.

Super Bowl XXIX: Playing in the Super Bowl for the first time the Chargers faced the San Francisco 49ers in Miami, in an all-California tilt. However, the Chargers were simply overmatched as the 49ers pulled away early on the way to an easy 49-26 victory. However, the Chargers made history by successfully completing the first 2-point conversion attempt in Super Bowl history. For good measure the Chargers would repeat the feat to bring the game's combined score up to a record 75 points. Despite losing over 100,000 fans greeted the Chargers when they arrived back in San Diego.

1995: Prior to the start of the season tragedy strikes the Chargers when David Griggs is killed in a one-car accident. The Chargers would stumble out of the gate losing the season opener 17-7 to the Raiders in Oakland. The Chargers would struggle most of the season as they sat at 4-7, with their playoff hopes withering. However, the Chargers would win their last 5 games to qualify for the playoffs as a Wild Card with a 9-7 record. However, the Chargers would be stunned by the Indianapolis Colts 35-20 in the Wild Card Game in San Diego.

1996: Tragedy strikes the Chargers again when reserve RB Rodney Culver and his wives, Karen, are killed in the crash of ValuJet Flight 592 in the Florida Everglades. The Chargers would come flying out of the gate again winning 4 of their first 5 games. However a shoulder injury to QB Stan Humphries would hat a drive for the playoffs as the Chargers limped the rest of the way to an 8-8 record. Following the season Coach Bobby Ross resigns; he would be replaced by Kevin Gilbried.

1997: The Chargers stumble out of the gate losing 3 of their first 4 games. However they seemed on the road to recovery by winning 3 of their next 4 games to sit at 4-4. However, QB Stan Humphries career is suddenly ended with a horrific looking concussion, as the Chargers lose their last 8 games to finish with a 4-12 record.

1998: To replace Stan Humphries the Chargers trade up so they can pick QB Ryan Leaf with 2nd overall pick in the NFL draft. With Leaf starting right away the Chargers win their first 2 games. However, it would all fall apart suddenly and fast. After struggling in his next game Leaf blew off at the media, as it became quickly apparent that Leaf was not mentally prepared to play in the NFL. The Chargers would fall to 2-4 when Coach Kevin Gilbride is fired and replaced by June Jones. However, Leaf does not play any better as he is benched after throwing just 2 TD passes to 15 interceptions. The Chargers would go on to finish in Last Place with a 5-11 record. Following the season the Chargers would name Mike Riley their new coach.

1999: The Chargers acquire veteran QB Jim Harbaugh as Ryan Leaf sits out the entire season with a wrist injury. The Chargers would get off to a strong start winning 4 of their first 5 games. However, an injury to Harbaugh would stop the Chargers cold as they lost their next 6 games. Harbaugh would return and the Chargers would finish the season on a strong not winning 4 of their last 5 games to finish with an 8-8 record. Following the season GM Bobby Bethard, who built the Chargers into a contender retires, he would be replaced by Ed McGuire.

2000: The Chargers season was just one thunderous thud as the team lost its first 11 games, many of them in heartbreaking fashion as 6 were by less than a Touchdown. On November 26th Chargers would finally get their first win when John Carney delivered a last second FG to give the Chargers a 17-16 win over the Kansas City Chiefs 17-16 at San Diego. The win would provide no spark as the Chargers seemed to play worse losing their final 4 games on the way to a miserable 1-15 record. Following the season Ryan Leaf is released following a turnover plagued season, as he would go down in history as one of the biggest busts in NFL history.

2001: Prior to the start of the season the Chargers hire a new GM John Butler who ran the Buffalo Bills for a number of years. Butler would take a number of Bills players with him including QB Doug Flutie who was brought in the tutor 2nd Round draft pick Drew Brees. However, it was 1st Round pick RB LaDainian Tomlinson stealing all the early headlines as he was a Touchdown scoring machine early in the season as the Chargers got off to an impressive 5-2 start. However, suddenly Tomlinson wore down, and Flutie became turnover prone as the Chargers lost their final 9 games to finish in last place again with a 5-11 record. Following the season Coach Mike Riley is fired and replaced by Mart Schottenheimer.

2002: The Marty Schottenheimer era in San Diego would get off to a flying start as the Chargers won their first 4 games on the way to terrific 7-1 start. However, the Chargers would struggle in the second half again winning just 2 more games the rest of the way as they finished in 3rd place with a mediocre 8-8 record, which included 4 straight losses to end the season. Despite the second half collapse LaDainian Tomlinson would continue to establish himself as one of the top running backs in the NFL with 2,172 all-purpose yards while scoring a team high 15 TD. Following the season an era would come to an end as LB Junior Seau is traded to the Miami Dolphins ending his 12-year career with the Chargers.

2003: The Chargers late season struggle continued into the new season as they dropped their first 5 games bringing their losing streak to 9. After ending their losing streak on the road against the Cleveland Browns the highly anticipated Monday Night homecoming of Junior Seau is abruptly cancelled as wildfires in San Diego forced the Chargers to move the game to Tempe, Arizona where Seau's Miami Dolphins crushed the Chargers 26-10. After a 20-7 loss to the Chicago Bears on the road the Chargers decided to bench struggling QB Drew Brees in favor of 41-year old Doug Flutie. Flutie provided a spark right away as the Chargers stunned the Minnesota Vikings 42-28. However it would only be a one game reprieve as the Chargers continued to struggle ending the season with an awful 4-12 record, which earned them the top overall draft pick. Despite the terrible season the Chargers did have one ray of hope and that was RB LaDainian Tomlinson who accounted for 2,370 All Purpose Yards and 17 Touchdowns. In the draft that followed the Chargers were dealt another blow when Eli Manning the top rated player in the draft, with a rich blood line of success that included his broth Peyton the NFL's reigning MVP, said he would refuse to play for the Chargers forcing them to trade him to the New York Giants for the 4th overall pick QB Phillip Rivers.

2004: Heading into the season the Chargers looked like a team in transition with Rookie QB Phillip Rivers just waiting to take over for Drew Brees, and a countdown hanging over Coach Marty Schottenheimer. The Chargers would start the season with a nice road win beat the Houston Texans 27-20. After splitting their next four games the Chargers nearly stunned the Atlanta Falcons on the road losing 21-20. That loss would be the only loss the Chargers would suffer for a while as they embarked on an impressive 8-game winning streak that saw them advance all the way to the AFC Western Division Title. Leading the way for the surprising Chargers was Brees who passed for 3,159 yards with 27 Touchdowns as Rivers the man drafted to replace him suddenly disappeared off the Chargers radar. Meanwhile LaDainian Tomlinson had another impressive season with 18 TDs and 1,776 All-Purpose Yards. On the receiving front TE Antonio Gates came out of nowhere and had a break out season with 13 TD receptions and 964 yards as the Chargers posted a 12-4 record with Mart Schottenheimer who was thought to be on the firing line winning Coach of the Year. However in the playoffs the Chargers would suffer a letdown as they lost to the New York Jets in overtime 20-17. The Chargers struggled all day and rallied in the 4th Quarter with 10 points to tie the game 17, helped at by a roughing the QB penalty late in the 4th Quarter. However in OT when the Chargers drove into Jets territory Schottenheimer got too conservative and took a filed goal for granted a 40 FG which rookie sensation Nate Kaeding would miss.

2005: The Chargers started the season without All-Pro TE Antonio Gates as he was suspended two games by Coach Marty Schottenheimer for holding out in training camp. The Chargers clearly missed Gates as they dropped their first two games of the season losing leads in both games. In Week 3 Gates would return as the San Diego turned its ire to New York Giants QB Eli Manning who refused to play for the Chargers forcing a draft day trade. The Chargers were flying high start to finish as LaDainian Tomlinson rushed for 192 yards with 3 Touchdowns as the Chargers won 45-23. A week later the Chargers stayed hot slamming the New England Patriots 41-17 as Tomlinson rushed for 134 yards with 2 TDs, as the Chargers ended the 2-time Champions 21-game home winning streak. A week later, it would be more heart break as they lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers in the final seconds on Monday Night 24-22. After a win over the Oakland Raiders, the Chargers saw LT's 18-game Touchdown scoring streak ended as Nate Kaeding had a Field Goal blocked and returned for a TD in a 20-17 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. Following their loss in Philly, the Chargers finally got hot with 5 straight wins to sit at 8-4. However, a week before a big match up with the Indianapolis Colts, the Chargers were caught looking ahead by the Miami Dolphins in a stunning 23-21 loss at home. Facing the 13-0 Indianapolis Colts on the road the Chargers with the playoffs in jeopardy put together their best performance of the year as the defense led by LB Shawne Merriman who would use the game as a catalyst to winning Defensive Rookie of the Year harassed Peyton Manning all game as the Chargers jumped out to a 16-0 lead in the 3rd Quarter. However, the Colts would come steaming back and took a 17-16 lead into the 4th Quarter. The Chargers would retake the lead on a Field Goal by Nate Kaending then put the game away on 83-yard TD run by Michael Turner. However a week later the Chargers would suffer a letdown losing on the road to the Kansas City Chiefs 20-7 as a banged up LaDainian Tomlinson rushed for only 47 yards. The Chargers would go on to lose their finale as well to the Denver Broncos 23-7 as injury was added to insult with QB Drew Brees suffering a dislocated shoulder as the Chargers finished in 3rd place with a 9-7 record. However, one may only look at their schedule to understand why the Chargers only managed 9 wins, perhaps no team ever went through more of a ringer, as not only did they face 10 teams win winning records, they were required to make four cross-country flights to play East Coast Teams. Following the season the Charger would stunningly decide to let Drew Brees go as they turned the reigns of the offense over to 2004 first round pick Philip Rivers.

2006: After missing the playoffs in 2005 the Chargers wanted to send a message in their first game on a Monday Night on the road against the Oakland Raiders, and send a message they did, as the Raiders offense was smothered by the Chargers defense, who led the way in a 27-0 win. A week later in their home opener the Chargers were equally impressive hammering the Tennessee Titans 40-7, as the Chargers defense came with in four minutes of starting the season with two straight shutouts before Vince Young got the Titans on the board with a late TD pass to Drew Bennett. A week later it would be the Chargers offense that was stifled on the road, as the Baltimore Ravens powered by a safety scored nine points in the final minutes to beat the Chargers 16-13. The Chargers would bounce back in impressive fashion the following week on a Monday Night in San Diego as they roughed up the defending Champion Pittsburgh Steelers 23-13. After heading back up north to hammer the Bay Areas other team the San Francisco 49ers 48-19, as Phillip Rivers passed for 334 yards, while LaDainian Tomlinson scored four touchdowns. After losing their second game of the season on the road to the Kansas City Chiefs 30-27, the Chargers really got rolling with back-to-back wins over the St. Louis Rams and Cleveland Browns. With NFL's sack leader Shawne Merriman serving the second game of a four game suspension for performance enhancing drugs, the Chargers defense was shredded all day by Carson Palmer and the Cincinnati Bengals allowing 440 passing yards and 41 points. However, the offense more then compensated as Phillip Rivers passed for 338 yards, while Tomlinson had his second 4 TD game of the season as the Chargers won their third straight game 49-41. A week later LT would again score 4 Touchdowns as the Chargers took control of the AFC Western Division with a 35-27 win over the Denver Broncos on the road. A week later the Chargers were in danger of suffering a letdown as they trailed the lowly Raiders in the 4th Quarter. However, Tomlinson scored two more TDs, and passed for one in a 21-14 win. Merriman would return in Week 13 as the Chargers won their sixth straight on the road against the Buffalo Bills 24-21. In their rematch against the Broncos at Qualcomm Stadium, LaDainian Tomlinson would make history breaking Shaun Alexander's one year old record for Touchdowns in a season at 29, as the Chargers clinched the division with a 48-20 win. The Chargers would not lose again in the regular season ending the season with 10 straight wins to finish with home field advantage and a franchise best record of 14-2. Meanwhile for his record shattering 31 Touchdown season LaDainian Tomlinson was the obvious choice to win both the Offensive Player of the Year, and the NFL MVP, where he beat out former teammate Drew Brees, who excelled in his first season with the New Orleans Saints. Also of note Shawne Merriman led the NFL with 17 sacks despite sitting out a four game suspension for using a banned substance. It would be that suspension that would also prevent Merriman from winning the Defensive Player of the Year, as many voters were turned off by his suspension. In the playoffs the Chargers would face the battle tested New England Patriots, with their shrewd Coach Bill Belichick, not a match up that favored Chargers Coach Marty Schottenheimer, who had an unfortunate history of choking in the playoffs. The Chargers came out flying as they jumped out to a 14-3 lead, before a late TD in the first half gave new life to the Patriots just before halftime. After the Pats cut the lead to 14-13, the Chargers appeared to grab control of the game back as LT scored his second TD of the game early in the 4th Quarter to give the Chargers a 21-13 lead. With time winding down the Patriots faced 4th and long at the Chargers 41-yard line when Tom Brady was picked off Marlon McCree. However, instead of falling on the ball McCree attempted to return the pick off, and was stripped by Troy Brown, giving the Patriots new life and a new set of downs, as they continued the drive by scoring a TD which was caught by former Charger Reche Caldwell. The Pats would stun the Chargers again Kevin Faulk tied the game with a direct snap to score the two-pint conversion. Rather then rely on Tomlinson, Schottenheimer had the Chargers come out throwing as their attempt to regain the lead quickly fizzled. The Pats would get the ball back and would take the lead 24-21 with 1:10 left. The Chargers would desperately drive down the field, but Nate Kaeding's 54-yard field goal attempt fell short with three seconds remaining in the game, as the Chargers dream season was ruined with one 24-21 loss. Following the heartbreak in the playoffs rumors would circulate that Marty Schottenheimer's job was in jeopardy. However, at first it was announced he will return for 2007. The same could not be said for Offensive Coordinator Cam Cameron who took the head coach job with the Miami Dolphins and Defensive Coordinator Wade Phillips who became head coach of the Dallas Cowboys. The departures of both coordinators would lead to the firing of Mart Schottenheimer, as he feuded with General Manager A.J. Smith over the hiring of replacements. Smith would then name Norv Turner, to replace the departed Schottenheimer.

2007: With new Coach Norv Turner the Chargers returned to the original white helmets as they hoped to erase the memory of their epic playoff disappointment. In the season opener the offense took awhile to get on track as they were trailing the Chicago Bears 3-0 at halftime. However, the Chargers with 17-yard Touchdown pass from Phillip Rivers to Antonio Gates final broke through at the end of the 3rd Quarter as their defense ruled the day in a 14-3 win. However, adjusting to an entire new coaching staff proved tough in the early going as the Chargers were man handled in a Week 2 rematch with the New England Patriots losing in primetime 38-14, as they dropped three in a row. The Chargers would finally get on track in Week 5 as they traveled to Denver and laid the smack down on the Denver Broncos, handing the Orange Crush their worst home loss in over 40 years 41-3. Leading the way for the Chargers was their bruising defense as they created three turnovers, including a fumble returned 23 yards for a touchdown by Brandon Silver, as Michael Turner out rushed LaDainian Tomlinson in the blowout gaining 147 yards. A week later at home it would be the LT show as the reigning MVP rushed 198 yards with 4 TDs as the Chargers beat the Oakland Raiders 28-14. The following bye week, would be a trying one for San Diego and the Chargers as wild fires again threatened the area around the stadium, as several players had to be evacuated from their homes, as the Chargers helped with the relief efforts. When the Chargers returned to the field at home they were led on to the field by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and firefighters who battled the blaze. The Chargers would win one for San Diego as they climbed over .500 with a 35-10 win over the Houston Texans. The Chargers would take a step backward a week later as their usually strong defense was run over by Rookie Adrian Peterson who set a single game record 296 yards with three touchdowns as the Minnesota Vikings beat the Chargers 35-17. The Chargers would recover when they came home as Darren Spores returned a kickoff and a punt for a touchdown as the Chargers held off the Indianapolis Colts 23-21, as the Chargers defense picked off Peyton Manning six times. However, a week later they stumbled again as they lost to the Jacksonville Jaguars 24-17. However, it would be the last time the Chargers would stumble during the regular season as the Norv Turner coaching staff and the team began to gel, closing the season with six straight wins to capture their second straight division title with a record of 11-5. In the playoffs the Chargers hoping to erase the playoff disappointments of the past got off to a slow start against the Tennessee Titans, as they trailed 6-0. However, much like their season opening win the Chargers defense kept them in the game just long enough for the Chargers offense to get on track in the second half as the Chargers took the lead for good on Rivers to Vincent Jackson 25-yard TD pass late in the third quarter, as they won their first playoff game in 13 years 17-6. Facing the defending Champion Indianapolis Colts on the road a week later, the Chargers were dealt an early blow as they lost LaDainian Tomlinson to a sprained knee in the second quarter. However, Phillip Rivers picked up the slack and had three touchdown passes including a 56-yard pass to Darren Sproles to give the Chargers a 21-17 lead on the last play of the 3rd Quarter, but on the play Rivers would be hurt too meaning if the Chargers were going to win they would need to do so with a back up at QB and RB. When the Colts retook the lead things look bleak for San Diego. However, back up QB Billy Volek led the Chargers down the field and scored on a 1-yard sneak to give the Chargers a 28-24 lead, which their defense was able to make stand as they reached the AFC Championship Game. Facing the unbeaten New England Patriots with a banged up LaDainian Tomlinson and Phillip Rivers the Chargers were heavy underdogs as they played for a trip to the Super Bowl. While the knee proved too tough for LT to play, Rivers some how gutted it out as the Chargers gave the Pats all they could handle. However, in the end the Patriots would put the game away in the fourth quarter as they went to their fourth Super Bowl in seven years with a 21-12 win.