1970 San Diego Chargers season

1970 San Diego Chargers season
1970 San Diego Chargers season
Owner	Eugene V. Klein
General manager	Sid Gillman
Head coach	Charlie Waller
Home stadium	San Diego Stadium
Results
Record	5–6–3
Division place	3rd AFC West
Playoffs	Did not qualify
All-Pros	None
Pro Bowlers	2 WR Gary Garrison; G Walt Sweeney;

The 1970 San Diego Chargers season was the franchise's eleventh overall season and first season in the National Football League (NFL). As a result of the NFL-AFL Merger, where the league was broken into two conferences, each member of the American Football League was moved into the American Football Conference.

San Diego's 5–6–3 record was the first of seven consecutive losing seasons for the franchise. The 1970 Chargers are the last NFL team to record three ties in a single season, a record which will likely stand, as since the NFL adopted overtime for regular season games in 1974 no team has recorded more than one tie in a season.

Offseason

NFL draft

Round	Pick	Player	Position	College
1970 San Diego Chargers draft
1	15	Walker Gillette	Wide receiver	Richmond
2	42	Tom Williams	Defensive end	UC Davis
4	94	Bill Maddox	Tight end	Syracuse
5	119	Pettus Farrar	Running back	Norfolk State
6	146	Billy Parks	Wide receiver	Long Beach State 49ers
7	171	Jim Fabish	Running back	Texas-El Paso
8	198	Wayne Clark	Quarterback	U. S. International
9	223	Chris Fletcher	Cornerback	Temple
10	250	Mac Steen	Guard	Florida
11	275	Jack Protz	Linebacker	Syracuse
12	302	Howard Gravelle	Tight end	UC Davis
13	327	Bernard Bradley	Defensive back	Utah State
14	354	Tyrone Caldwell	Defensive tackle	South Carolina State
15	379	Eugene Childs	Running back	Texas-El Paso
16	406	Mike Green	Running back	Nebraska
17	431	Dave Sanks	Guard	Louisville
Made roster * Made at least one Pro Bowl during career

Undrafted free agents

1970 undrafted free agents of note
Player	Position	College
Ed Roseborough	Quarterback	Arizona State
Reg Sharley	Linebacker	Memphis State
Karl Sneider	Wide receiver	Augsburg
James Snow	Linebacker	USC
LeeVone Spencer	Linebacker	Prairie View A&M
Bill Stansfield	Defensive tackle	Penn State
Ben Stephens	Defensive back	Grambling
Dan Thatcher	Kicker	Occidental
Lee Thomas	Defensive end	Jackson State
Paul Tollefson	Tackle	UC Santa Barbara

Roster

**1970 San Diego Chargers roster**
Quarterbacks (QB) 13 Wayne Clark 14 Marty Domres 21 John Hadl Running backs (RB) 37 Gene Foster FB 26 Brad Hubbert 22 Dickie Post 47 Jeff Queen FB 42 Dave Smith 20 Russ Smith Wide receivers (WR) 19 Lance Alworth 49 Rick Eber 27 Gary Garrison 84 Walker Gillette Tight ends (TE) 83 Willie Frazier 89 Art Strozier		Offensive linemen (OL) 69 Ira Gordon G 65 Sam Gruneisen C 51 Bill Lenkaitis G 76 Terry Owens T 64 Jim Schmedding G 78 Walt Sweeney G 70 Russ Washington T 77 Bob Wells T Defensive linemen (DL) 86 Ron Billingsley DT 68 Bob Briggs DT 82 Steve DeLong DE 72 Joe Owens DE 79 Andy Rice DE 87 Tom Williams DE		Linebackers (LB) 60 Bob Babich 59 Pete Barnes 56 Bob Bruggers 50 Jack Protz 66 Rick Redman 81 Jeff Staggs Defensive backs (DB) 40 Joe Beauchamp CB 35 Chuck Detwiler 45 Speedy Duncan CB 44 Chris Fletcher FS 39 Jim Hill SS 24 Bob Howard CB 43 Jim Tolbert SS Special teams (ST) 15 Mike Mercer K 29 Dennis Partee P		Reserve {{{Reserve Lists}}} Rookies in italics

Preseason

Week	Date	Opponent	Result	Record	Venue
1	August 8	Dallas Cowboys	L 10–20	0–1	San Diego Stadium
2	August 15	New York Giants	W 30–27	1–1	San Diego Stadium
3	August 24	Chicago Bears	W 14–9	2–1	San Diego Stadium
4	August 29	Los Angeles Rams	L 14–16	2–2	San Diego Stadium
5	September 5	vs. St. Louis Cardinals	W 38–27	3–2	Municipal Stadium (Cleveland)
6	September 12	at New Orleans Saints	L 14–20	3–3	Tulane Stadium

^[1]

Regular season

Schedule

Week	Date	Opponent	Result	Record	Venue	Attendance	Recap
1	September 20	Baltimore Colts	L 14–16	0–1	San Diego Stadium	47,782	Recap
2	September 27	Oakland Raiders	T 27–27	0–1–1	San Diego Stadium	42,109	Recap
3	October 4	at Los Angeles Rams	L 10–37	0–2–1	Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum	69,564	Recap
4	October 12	Green Bay Packers	L 20–22	0–3–1	San Diego Stadium	53,064	Recap
5	October 18	at Chicago Bears	W 20–7	1–3–1	Wrigley Field	45,278	Recap
6	October 25	Houston Oilers	T 31–31	1–3–2	San Diego Stadium	41,427	Recap
7	November 1	at Cleveland Browns	W 27–10	2–3–2	Cleveland Municipal Stadium	80,047	Recap
8	November 8	Denver Broncos	W 24–21	3–3–2	San Diego Stadium	48,327	Recap
9	November 15	at Boston Patriots	W 16–14	4–3–2	Harvard Stadium	30,597	Recap
10	November 22	at Oakland Raiders	L 17–20	4–4–2	Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum	54,594	Recap
11	November 29	at Kansas City Chiefs	L 14–26	4–5–2	Municipal Stadium	50,315	Recap
12	December 6	Cincinnati Bengals	L 14–17	4–6–2	San Diego Stadium	41,461	Recap
13	December 13	at Denver Broncos	T 17–17	4–6–3	Mile High Stadium	50,959	Recap
14	December 20	Kansas City Chiefs	W 31–13	5–6–3	San Diego Stadium	41,379	Recap

Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.

Game summaries

Week 1: vs. Baltimore Colts

Week One: Baltimore Colts at San Diego Chargers – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Colts	0	3	7	6	16
Chargers	0	0	7	7	14

at San Diego Stadium, San Diego, California

Date: September 20
Game time: 1:00 p.m. PDT
Game weather: 66 °F (18.9 °C), relative humidity 70%, wind 8 mph
Game attendance: 47,782
Box score

Game information

First quarter

No scoring plays.

Second quarter

BAL – Jim O'Brien 25-yard field goal. Colts 3–0.

Third quarter

SDG – Gary Garrison 65-yard pass from John Hadl (Mike Mercer kick). Chargers 7–3.
BAL – Norm Bulaich 1-yard run (Jim O'Brien kick). Colts 10–7.

Fourth quarter

BAL – Jim O'Brien 34-yard field goal. Colts 13–7.
SDG – Gary Garrison 43-yard pass from John Hadl (Mike Mercer kick). Chargers 14–13.
BAL – Jim O'Brien 28-yard field goal. Colts 16–14.

Top passers

BAL – Johnny Unitas – 15/31, 202 yards, INT
SDG – John Hadl – 17/36, 255 yards, 2 TD

Top rushers

BAL – Tom Matte – 12 rushes, 43 yards
BAL – Norm Bulaich – 10 rushes, 43 yards, TD
SDG – Gene Foster – 12 rushes, 31 yards

Top receivers

BAL – Roy Jefferson – 5 receptions, 84 yards
SDG – Gary Garrison – 3 receptions, 122 yards, 2 TD

Week 2: vs. Oakland Raiders

Week Two: Oakland Raiders at San Diego Chargers – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Raiders	3	17	0	7	27
Chargers	3	7	3	14	27

at San Diego Stadium, San Diego, California

Date: September 27
Game time: 1:00 p.m. PDT
Game weather: 81 °F (27.2 °C), relative humidity 17%, wind 9 mph
Game attendance: 42,109
Referee: Ben Dreith
Box score

Game information

First quarter

SDG – Mike Mercer 48-yard field goal, 6:58. Chargers 3–0. Drive: 4 plays, 8 yards, 1:32.
OAK – George Blanda 28-yard field goal, 0:19. Tied 3–3. Drive: 4 plays, 4 yards, 0:54.

Second quarter

SDG – Gary Garrison 2-yard pass from John Hadl (Mike Mercer kick), 10:21. Chargers 10–3. Drive: 9 plays, 80 yards, 4:58.
OAK – Pete Banaszak 1-yard run (George Blanda kick), 4:26. Tied 10–10. Drive: 6 plays, 71 yards, 5:55.
OAK – Fred Biletnikoff 23-yard pass from Daryle Lamonica (George Blanda kick), 2:21. Raiders 17–10. Drive: 2 plays, 26 yards, 0:50.
OAK – George Blanda 13-yard field goal, 0:04. Raiders 20–10. Drive: 8 plays, 76 yards, 0:46.

Third quarter

SDG – Mike Mercer 39-yard field goal, 5:15. Raiders 20–13. Drive: 6 plays, 38 yards, 2:28.

Fourth quarter

OAK – Pete Banaszak 1-yard run (George Blanda kick), 6:36. Raiders 27–13. Drive: 9 plays, 65 yards, 4:17.
SDG – Jeff Queen 65-yard pass from John Hadl (Mike Mercer kick), 5:18. Raiders 27–20. Drive: 3 plays, 91 yards, 1:36.
SDG – Lance Alworth 37-yard pass from John Hadl (Mike Mercer kick), 2:02. Tied 27–27. Drive: 1 play, 53 yards, 0:19.

Top passers

OAK – Daryle Lamonica – 23/38, 267 yards, TD
SDG – John Hadl – 10/25, 242 yards, 3 TD, 2 INT

Top rushers

OAK – Charlie Smith – 18 rushes, 71 yards
SDG – Russ Smith – 11 rushes, 55 yards

Top receivers

OAK – Warren Wells – 7 receptions, 127 yards
SDG – Jeff Queen – 1 reception, 65 yards, TD

Week 3: at Los Angeles Rams

Week Three: San Diego Chargers at Los Angeles Rams – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Chargers	0	3	7	0	10
Rams	10	20	0	7	37

at Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, California

Date: October 4
Game time: 1:00 p.m. PDT
Game weather: 68 °F (20.0 °C), relative humidity 79%, wind 11 mph
Game attendance: 69,564
Box score

Game information

First quarter

RAM – Jack Snow 17-yard pass from Roman Gabriel (David Ray kick). Rams 7–0.
RAM – David Ray 27-yard field goal. Rams 10–0.

Second quarter

RAM – Les Josephson 12-yard run (David Ray kick). Rams 17–0.
RAM – Pat Curran recovered blocked punt in end zone (David Ray kick). Rams 24–0.
SDG – Mike Mercer 30-yard field goal. Rams 24–3.
RAM – David Ray 10-yard field goal. Rams 27–3.
RAM – David Ray 38-yard field goal. Rams 30–3.

Third quarter

SDG – Willie Frazier 6-yard pass from Marty Domres (Mike Mercer kick). Rams 30–10.

Fourth quarter

RAM – Jack Snow 20-yard pass from Karl Sweetan (David Ray kick). Rams 37–10.

Top passers

SDG – Marty Domres – 8/11, 99 yards, TD
RAM – Roman Gabriel – 8/12, 104 yards, TD

Top rushers

SDG – Russ Smith – 17 rushes, 36 yards
RAM – Les Josephson – 14 rushes, 71 yards, TD

Top receivers

SDG – Willie Frazier – 5 receptions, 63 yards, TD
RAM – Jack Snow – 5 receptions, 69 yards, 2 TD

Week 4: vs. Green Bay Packers

Week Four: Green Bay Packers at San Diego Chargers – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Packers	3	3	13	3	22
Chargers	0	6	0	14	20

at San Diego Stadium, San Diego, California

Date: October 12
Game time: 6:00 p.m. PDT
Game weather: 68 °F (20.0 °C), relative humidity 72%, wind 8 mph
Game attendance: 53,064
Box score

Game information

First quarter

GB – Dale Livingston 16-yard field goal. Packers 3–0.

Second quarter

GB – Dale Livingston 27-yard field goal. Packers 6–0.
SDG – Mike Mercer 16-yard field goal. Packers 6–3.
SDG – Mike Mercer 39-yard field goal. Tied 6–6.

Third quarter

GB – Jack Clancy 4-yard pass from Bart Starr (kick blocked). Packers 12–6.
GB – John Hilton 2-yard pass from Bart Starr (Dale Livingston kick). Packers 19–6.

Fourth quarter

SDG – Willie Frazier 24-yard run (Mike Mercer kick). Packers 19–13.
SDG – Jeff Queen 1-yard run (Mike Mercer kick). Chargers 20–19.
GB – Dale Livingston 14-yard field goal. Packers 22–20.

Top passers

GB – Bart Starr – 16/20, 158 yards, 2 TD
SDG – John Hadl – 6/19, 53 yards, 3 INT

Top rushers

GB – Travis Williams – 21 rushes, 109 yards
SDG – Willie Frazier – 2 rushes, 94 yards, TD

Top receivers

GB – Carroll Dale – 8 receptions, 90 yards
SDG – Dave Smith – 1 reception, 42 yards

Week 5: at Chicago Bears

Week Five: San Diego Chargers at Chicago Bears – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Chargers	0	7	13	0	20
Bears	0	7	0	0	7

at Wrigley Field, Chicago, Illinois

Date: October 18
Game time: 1:00 p.m. CDT
Game weather: 50 °F (10.0 °C), relative humidity 55%, wind 10 mph
Game attendance: 45,278
Box score

Game information

First quarter

No scoring plays.

Second quarter

CHI – Dick Gordon 11-yard pass from Jack Concannon (Mac Percival kick). Bears 7–0.
SDG – Russ Smith 1-yard run (Mike Mercer kick). Tied 7–7.

Third quarter

SDG – Gary Garrison 14-yard pass from John Hadl (Mike Mercer kick). Chargers 14–7.

Fourth quarter

SDG – Gary Garrison 33-yard pass from John Hadl (kick failed). Chargers 20–7.

Top passers

SDG – John Hadl – 10/14, 166 yards, 2 TD
CHI – Jack Concannon – 17/34, 117 yards, TD, INT

Top rushers

SDG – Gene Foster – 10 rushes, 30 yards
CHI – Don Shy – 11 rushes, 38 yards

Top receivers

SDG – Gary Garrison – 8 receptions, 165 yards, 2 TD
CHI – Dick Gordon – 5 receptions, 41 yards, TD

Week 6: vs. Houston Oilers

Week Six: Houston Oilers at San Diego Chargers – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Oilers	0	17	14	0	31
Chargers	0	14	7	10	31

at San Diego Stadium, San Diego, California

Date: October 25
Game time: 1:00 p.m. PST
Game weather: 63 °F (17.2 °C), relative humidity 67%, wind 10 mph
Game attendance: 41,427
Box score

Game information

First quarter

No scoring plays.

Second quarter

HOU – Mike Richardson 2-yard run (Roy Gerela kick). Oilers 7–0.
SDG – Russ Smith 4-yard run (Mike Mercer kick). Tied 7–7.
HOU – Jerry Rhome 8-yard run (Roy Gerela kick). Oilers 14–7.
SDG – Willie Frazier 3-yard pass from John Hadl (Mike Mercer kick). Tied 14–14.
HOU – Roy Gerela 18-yard field goal. Oilers 17–14.

Third quarter

HOU – Alvin Reed 17-yard pass from Jerry Rhome (Roy Gerela kick). Oilers 24–14.
HOU – Charlie Joiner 10-yard pass from Jerry Rhome (Roy Gerela kick). Oilers 31–14.
SDG – Russ Smith 3-yard run (Mike Mercer kick). Oilers 31–21.

Fourth quarter

SDG – Mike Mercer 45-yard field goal. Oilers 31–24.
SDG – Lance Alworth 80-yard pass from Marty Domres (Mike Mercer kick). Tied 31–31.

Top passers

HOU – Jerry Rhome – 21/36, 266 yards, 2 TD
SDG – Marty Domres – 4/7, 141 yards, TD, INT

Top rushers

HOU – Joe Dawkins – 25 rushes, 90 yards
SDG – Russ Smith – 10 rushes, 24 yards, 2 TD

Top receivers

HOU – Charlie Joiner – 5 receptions, 100 yards, TD
SDG – Lance Alworth – 2 receptions, 124 yards, TD

Week 7: at Cleveland Browns

Week Seven: San Diego Chargers at Cleveland Browns – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Chargers	0	14	7	6	27
Broncos	3	7	0	0	10

at Municipal Stadium, Cleveland, Ohio

Date: November 1
Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
Game weather: 48 °F (8.9 °C), relative humidity 83%, wind 6 mph
Game attendance: 80,047
Referee: Walt Fitzgerald
Box score

Game information

First quarter

CLE – Don Cockroft 11-yard field goal, 5:44. Browns 3–0. Drive: 14 plays, 63 yards, 7:04.

Second quarter

SDG – Lance Alworth 44-yard pass from John Hadl (Mike Mercer kick), 8:24. Chargers 7–3. Drive: 6 plays, 80 yards, 3:20.
SDG – Chuck Detwiler 20-yard fumble return (Mike Mercer kick), 4:34. Chargers 14–3.
CLE – Bo Scott 9-yard pass from Bill Nelsen (Don Cockroft kick), 0:26. Chargers 14–10. Drive: 10 plays, 80 yards, 4:08.

Third quarter

SDG – Brad Hubbert 1-yard run (Mike Mercer kick), 9:47. Chargers 21–10. Drive: 5 plays, 45 yards, 2:53.

Fourth quarter

SDG – Mike Mercer 37-yard field goal, 10:06. Chargers 24–10. Drive: 16 plays, 50 yards, 7:30.
SDG – Mike Mercer 12-yard field goal, 2:17. Chargers 27–10. Drive: 14 plays, 76 yards, 7:15.

Top passers

SDG – John Hadl – 13/21, 206 yards, TD
CLE – Bill Nelsen – 11/23, 144 yards, TD, INT

Top rushers

SDG – Brad Hubbert – 16 rushes, 61 yards, TD
CLE – Bo Scott – 13 rushes, 83 yards

Top receivers

SDG – Willie Frazier – 5 receptions, 83 yards
CLE – Milt Morin – 3 receptions, 51 yards

Week 8: vs. Denver Broncos

Week Eight: Denver Broncos at San Diego Chargers – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Broncos	0	7	7	7	21
Chargers	3	14	0	7	24

at San Diego Stadium, San Diego, California

Date: November 8
Game time: 1:00 p.m. PST
Game weather: 61 °F (16.1 °C), relative humidity 69%, wind 9 mph
Game attendance: 48,327
Referee: Fred Silva
Box score

Game information

First quarter

SDG – Mike Mercer 38-yard field goal, 5:01. Chargers 3–0. Drive: 4 plays, 1 yard, 1:05.

Second quarter

DEN – Billy Masters 2-yard pass from Steve Tensi (Bobby Howfield kick), 13:14. Broncos 7–3. Drive: 13 plays, 85 yards, 6:47.
SDG – Gary Garrison 31-yard pass from John Hadl (Mike Mercer kick), 8:42. Chargers 10–7. Drive: 7 plays, 80 yards, 1:42.
SDG – Willie Frazier 5-yard pass from John Hadl (Mike Mercer kick), 0:58. Chargers 17–7. Drive: 9 plays, 82 yards, 4:04.

Third quarter

DEN – Willis Crenshaw 3-yard run (Bobby Howfield kick), 7:40. Chargers 17–14. Drive: 6 plays, 51 yards, 3:31.

Fourth quarter

SDG – Gary Garrison 40-yard pass from John Hadl (Mike Mercer kick), 5:22. Chargers 24–14. Drive: 7 plays, 80 yards, 3:39.
DEN – Bobby Anderson 2-yard run (Bobby Howfield kick), 1:47. Chargers 24–21. Drive: 9 plays, 76 yards, 3:35.

Top passers

DEN – Steve Tensi – 14/22, 170 yards, TD, INT
SDG – John Hadl – 14/21, 185 yards, 3 TD

Top rushers

DEN – Floyd Little – 19 rushes, 74 yards
SDG – Dickie Post – 15 rushes, 34 yards

Top receivers

DEN – Al Denson – 4 receptions, 63 yards
SDG – Gary Garrison – 2 receptions, 71 yards, 2 TD

Week 9: at Boston Patriots

Week Nine: San Diego Chargers at Boston Patriots – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Chargers	0	0	7	9	16
Patriots	7	0	0	7	14

at Harvard Stadium, Boston, Massachusetts

Date: November 15
Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
Game weather: 44 °F (6.7 °C), relative humidity 97%, wind 17 mph
Game attendance: 30,597
Referee: Ben Dreith
Box score

Game information

First quarter

NE – Jim Nance 2-yard run (Charlie Gogolak kick), 10:25. Patriots 7–0. Drive: 8 plays, 45 yards, 4:35.

Second quarter

No scoring plays.

Third quarter

SDG – Lance Alworth 6-yard pass from John Hadl (Mike Mercer kick), 5:47. Tied 7–7. Drive: 10 plays, 84 yards, 4:46.

Fourth quarter

SDG – Safety, Joe Owens sacked Joe Kapp in end zone, 13:42. Chargers 9–7.
SDG – Gary Garrison 60-yard pass from John Hadl (Mike Mercer kick), 6:45. Chargers 16–7. Drive: 3 plays, 61 yards, 0:59.
NE – Bake Turner 14-yard pass from Joe Kapp (Charlie Gogolak kick), 0:56. Chargers 16–14. Drive: 7 plays, 67 yards, 1:29.

Top passers

SDG – John Hadl – 16/36, 238 yards, 2 TD
NE – Joe Kapp – 9/17, 110 yards, TD

Top rushers

SDG – Brad Hubbert – 6 rushes, 18 yards
NE – Odell Lawson – 18 rushes, 45 yards

Top receivers

SDG – Gary Garrison – 3 receptions, 98 yards, TD
NE – Bake Turner – 2 receptions, 29 yards, TD

Week 10: at Oakland Raiders

Week Ten: San Diego Chargers at Oakland Raiders – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Chargers	0	0	7	9	16
Raiders	7	0	0	7	14

at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Oakland, California

Date: November 22
Game time: 1:00 p.m. PST
Game weather: 56 °F (13.3 °C), relative humidity 75%, wind 8 mph
Game attendance: 54,594
Referee: Pat Haggerty
Box score

Game information

First quarter

SDG – Gary Garrison 5-yard pass from John Hadl (Mike Mercer kick), 6:36. Chargers 7–0. Drive: 11 plays, 57 yards, 5:10.

Second quarter

OAK – Charlie Smith 3-yard run (George Blanda kick), 2:42. Tied 7–7. Drive: 4 plays, 39 yards, 1:59.

Third quarter

SDG – Gary Garrison 15-yard pass from John Hadl (Mike Mercer kick), 9:11. Chargers 14–7. Drive: 7 plays, 57 yards, 4:11.
OAK – Charlie Smith 1-yard run (George Blanda kick), 5:50. Tied 14–14. Drive: 6 plays, 76 yards, 3:21.

Fourth quarter

OAK – George Blanda 18-yard field goal, 14:58. Raiders 17–14. Drive: 6 plays, 45 yards, 1:38.
SDG – Mike Mercer 11-yard field goal, 4:46. Tied 17–17. Drive: 13 plays, 56 yards, 4:58.
OAK – George Blanda 16-yard field goal, 0:04. Raiders 20–17. Drive: 10 plays, 64 yards, 4:42.

Top passers

SDG – John Hadl – 12/27, 187 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT
OAK – Daryle Lamonica – 14/23, 213 yards

Top rushers

SDG – Dickie Post – 15 rushes, 64 yards
OAK – Charlie Smith – 15 rushes, 84 yards, 2 TD

Top receivers

SDG – Gary Garrison – 6 receptions, 114 yards, 2 TD
OAK – Fred Biletnikoff – 6 receptions, 115 yards

Week 11: at Kansas City Chiefs

Week Eleven: San Diego Chargers at Kansas City Chiefs – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Chargers	7	0	0	7	14
Chiefs	10	3	7	6	26

at Municipal Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri

Date: November 29
Game time: 3:00 p.m. CST
Game weather: 48 °F (8.9 °C), relative humidity 89%, wind 7 mph
Game attendance: 50,315
Referee: Jim Tunney
Box score

Game information

First quarter

KAN – Morris Stroud 50-yard pass from Len Dawson (Jan Stenerud kick), 12:40. Chiefs 7–0. Drive: 4 plays, 80 yards, 2:20.
SDG – Dickie Post 1-yard run (Mike Mercer kick), 4:33. Tied 7–7. Drive: 7 plays, 41 yards, 3:59.
KAN – Jan Stenerud 43-yard field goal, 0:09. Chiefs 10–7. Drive: 8 plays, 45 yards, 4:24.

Second quarter

KAN – Jan Stenerud 39-yard field goal, 0:16. Chiefs 13–7. Drive: 9 plays, 34 yards, 4:23.

Third quarter

KAN – Wendell Hayes 1-yard run (Jan Stenerud kick), 10:35. Chiefs 20–7. Drive: 6 plays, 31 yards, 3:35.

Fourth quarter

KAN – Jan Stenerud 17-yard field goal, 11:49. Chiefs 23–7. Drive: 16 plays, 87 yards, 8:19.
SDG – Gary Garrison 28-yard pass from John Hadl (Mike Mercer kick), 8:07. Chiefs 23–14. Drive: 2 plays, 30 yards, 0:59.
KAN – Jan Stenerud 26-yard field goal, 4:32. Chiefs 26–14. Drive: 4 plays, 0 yards, 1:16.

Top passers

SDG – John Hadl – 15/26, 155 yards, TD, 2 INT
KAN – Len Dawson – 17/24, 208 yards, TD, INT

Top rushers

SDG – Dickie Post – 7 rushes, 13 yards, TD
KAN – Ed Podolak – 19 rushes, 52 yards

Top receivers

SDG – Dickie Post – 6 receptions, 53 yards
KAN – Morris Stroud – 1 reception, 50 yards, TD

Week 12: vs. Cincinnati Bengals

Week Twelve: Cincinnati Bengals at San Diego Chargers – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Bengals	0	10	7	0	17
Chargers	0	7	0	7	14

at San Diego Stadium, San Diego, California

Date: December 6
Game time: 1:00 p.m. PST
Game weather: 61 °F (16.1 °C), relative humidity 54%, wind 6 mph
Game attendance: 41,461
Box score

Game information

First quarter

No scoring plays.

Second quarter

CIN – Horst Muhlmann 53-yard field goal. Bengals 3–0.
CIN – Lemar Parrish 79-yard punt return (Horst Muhlmann kick). Bengals 10–0.
SDG – John Hadl 2-yard run (Mike Mercer kick). Bengals 10–7.

Third quarter

CIN – Jess Phillips 13-yard rush (Horst Muhlmann kick). Bengals 17–7.

Fourth quarter

SDG – Willie Frazier 2-yard pass from John Hadl (Mike Mercer kick). Bengals 17–14.

Top passers

CIN – Virgil Carter – 7/18, 19 yards, INT
SDG – John Hadl – 14/27, 156 yards, TD, INT

Top rushers

CIN – Jess Phillips – 15 rushes, 55 yards, TD
SDG – Dickie Post – 12 rushes, 46 yards

Top receivers

CIN – Chip Myers – 2 receptions, 18 yards
SDG – Lance Alworth – 4 receptions, 50 yards

Week 13: at Denver Broncos

Week Thirteen: San Diego Chargers at Denver Broncos – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Chargers	7	10	0	0	17
Broncos	0	0	3	14	17

at Mile High Stadium, Denver, Colorado

Date: December 13
Game time: 2:00 p.m. MST
Game weather: 23 °F (−5.0 °C), relative humidity 71%, wind 6 mph, wind chill 16
Game attendance: 50,959
Referee: John McDonough
Box score

Game information

First quarter

SDG – Gary Garrison 63-yard pass from John Hadl (Mike Mercer kick), 9:07. Chargers 7–0. Drive: 5 plays, 72 yards, 2:05.

Second quarter

SDG – Mike Mercer 42-yard field goal, 8:28. Chargers 10–0. Drive: 7 plays, 26 yards, 3:42.
SDG – Willie Frazier offensive fumble recovery in end zone (Mike Mercer kick), 0:36. Chargers 17–0. Drive: 11 plays, 36 yards.

Third quarter

DEN – Bobby Howfield 53-yard field goal, 12:23. Chargers 17–3. Drive: 6 plays, 32 yards, 2:37.

Fourth quarter

DEN – Clem Turner 1-yard run (Bobby Howfield kick), 5:25. Chargers 17–10. Drive: 11 plays, 61 yards, 5:37.
DEN – Willis Crenshaw 1-yard run (Bobby Howfield kick), 1:57. Tied 17–17. Drive: 8 plays, 34 yards, 1:32.

Top passers

SDG – John Hadl – 8/19, 144 yards, TD
DEN – Pete Liske – 6/17, 95 yards, 2 INT

Top rushers

SDG – Jeff Queen – 17 rushes, 36 yards
DEN – Bobby Anderson – 12 rushes, 64 yards

Top receivers

SDG – Gary Garrison – 2 receptions, 81 yards, TD
DEN – Al Denson – 5 receptions, 55 yards

Week 14: vs. Kansas City Chiefs

Week Fourteen: Kansas City Chiefs at San Diego Chargers – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Chiefs	0	10	3	0	13
Chargers	3	14	7	7	31

at San Diego Stadium, San Diego, California

Date: December 20
Game time: 1:00 p.m. PST
Game weather: 54 °F (12.2 °C), relative humidity 69%, wind 10 mph
Game attendance: 41,379
Referee: Norm Schachter
Box score

Game information

First quarter

SDG – Mike Mercer 27-yard field goal, 5:49. Chargers 3–0. Drive: 9 plays, 63 yards, 3:09.

Second quarter

SDG – Willie Frazier 5-yard pass from John Hadl (Mike Mercer kick), 13:22. Chargers 10–0. Drive: 2 plays, 5 yards, 0:43.
KAN – Gloster Richardson 61-yard pass from Len Dawson (Jan Stenerud kick), 8:40. Chargers 10–7. Drive: 7 plays, 68 yards, 4:42.
SDG – Mike Garrett 5-yard run (Mike Mercer kick), 1:10. Chargers 17–7. Drive: 8 plays, 95 yards, 2:45.
KAN – Jan Stenerud 37-yard field goal, 0:13. Chargers 17–10. Drive: 6 plays, 37 yards, 0:57.

Third quarter

KAN – Jan Stenerud 10-yard field goal, 6:43. Chargers 17–13. Drive: 12 plays, 68 yards, 8:17.
SDG – Willie Frazier 3-yard pass from John Hadl (Mike Mercer kick), 1:00. Chargers 24–13. Drive: 11 plays, 67 yards, 5:43.

Fourth quarter

SDG – Mike Garrett 44-yard pass from John Hadl (Mike Mercer kick), 8:22. Chargers 31–13. Drive: 10 plays, 78 yards, 5:10.

Top passers

KAN – Len Dawson – 14/21, 161 yards, TD
SDG – John Hadl – 16/27, 277 yards, 3 TD

Top rushers

KAN – Ed Podolak – 14 rushes, 56 yards
SDG – Mike Garrett – 10 rushes, 60 yards, TD

Top receivers

KAN – Gloster Richardson – 1 reception, 61 yards, TD
SDG – Gary Garrison – 5 receptions, 149 yards

Standings

AFC West
	W	L	T	PCT	DIV	CONF	PF	PA	STK
Oakland Raiders	8	4	2	.667	4–0–2	7–2–2	300	293	L1
Kansas City Chiefs	7	5	2	.583	2–3–1	7–3–1	272	244	L2
	5	6	3	.455	2–2–2	4–4–3	282	278	W1
Denver Broncos	5	8	1	.385	1–4–1	3–6–1	253	264	L1

Note: Tie games were not officially counted in the standings until 1972.

Awards

Walt Sweeney and Gary Garrison were named to the AFC Pro Bowl squad;^[2] No Chargers were named All-Pro by the Associated Press, though Sweeney was named the best in his Conference.^[3] Babich was a runner-up for the AP Defensive Rookie of the Year award, receiving at least one vote.^[4]

References

^ "2021 Los Angeles Chargers Media Guide". chargers.com.
^ "1970 NFL Pro Bowlers". pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved April 15, 2025.
^ "1970 NFL All-Pros". pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved April 15, 2025.
^ "1970 awards voting". pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved April 15, 2025.

[1] "2021 Los Angeles Chargers Media Guide". chargers.com.

[2] "1970 NFL Pro Bowlers". pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved April 15, 2025.

[3] "1970 NFL All-Pros". pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved April 15, 2025.

[4] "1970 awards voting". pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved April 15, 2025.

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Los Angeles Chargers
Founded in 1960 Played in San Diego (1961–2016) Based in Inglewood, California Headquartered in El Segundo, California
Franchise	Franchise History in San Diego NFL in Los Angeles Coaches Seasons All-time roster Retired numbers Hall of Fame Anniversary teams 40th 50th Starting quarterbacks First-round draft picks
Stadiums	Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Balboa Stadium San Diego Stadium San Diego stadium proposals Dignity Health Sports Park SoFi Stadium
Culture	Fearsome Foursome Air Coryell Alex Spanos "San Diego Super Chargers" Los Angeles Charger Girls Bruise Brothers
Lore	Holy Roller Epic in Miami Freezer Bowl Snowball Game 2006 playoff game vs. New England Patriots
Rivalries	Denver Broncos Kansas City Chiefs Las Vegas Raiders
Wild card berths (5)	1995 2013 2018 2022 2024
Division championships (15)	1960 1961 1963 1964 1965 1979 1980 1981 1992 1994 2004 2006 2007 2008 2009
Conference championships (1)	1994
League championships (1)	1963
Media	Broadcasters KYSR Matt "Money" Smith
Current league affiliations	League: National Football League (1970–present) Conference: American Football Conference Division: West Division
Former league affiliation	League: American Football League (1960–1969)
Category

Los Angeles Chargers seasons
Played in San Diego (1961–2016)
1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025
Bold indicates AFL Championship (1960–69) or Super Bowl (1966–) victory Italics indicates AFL Championship (1960–69) or Super Bowl (1966–) appearance