1973 San Diego Chargers season

1973 San Diego Chargers season
1973 San Diego Chargers season
Owner	Eugene V. Klein
General manager	Harland Svare
Head coach	Harland Svare
Home stadium	San Diego Stadium
Results
Record	2–11–1
Division place	4th AFC West
All-Pros	None
Pro Bowlers	None

The 1973 San Diego Chargers season was the franchise's fourth season in the National Football League (NFL), and its 14th overall.

The team was coming off a season that ended with a 4–9–1 record. Although he was offered a five-year contract toward the end of the previous season, 1973 would prove to be Harland Svare's final season as the team's head coach.

The team obtained quarterback Johnny Unitas in a trade with the Baltimore Colts, but Unitas was a shell of his former greatness. In the middle of the season he was replaced at quarterback by a rookie Dan Fouts, the team's third-round pick in that year's draft.^[1]

Offseason

NFL draft

Round	Pick	Player	Position	College	Notes
1973 San Diego Chargers draft
1	25	Johnny Rodgers	Wide receiver	Nebraska	Joined the Chargers in 1977 after initially playing in the Canadian Football League
3	64	Dan Fouts * ^†	Quarterback	Oregon
4	84	Jim Thaxton	Tight end	Tennessee State
4	97	Bill Singletary	Linebacker	Temple
5	123	Willie McGee	Wide receiver	Alcorn State
5	125	Jon Knoble	Linebacker	Weber State
6	135	Marvin Roberts	Center	Michigan State
9	214	Tab Bennett	Linebacker	Illinois
10	239	Cliff Burnett	Defensive end	Montana
11	268	Jay Douglas	Center	Memphis
12	293	Lynn Ahrens	Tackle	Eastern Montana
13	318	Alfred Reese	Running back	Tennessee State
14	343	Tony Adams	Quarterback	Utah State
15	372	Gary Parris	Tight end	Florida State
16	397	Joe Petty	Defensive back	Arizona State University
17	422	Barry Darrow	Tackle	Montana
Made roster † Pro Football Hall of Fame * Made at least one Pro Bowl during career

Roster

**1973 San Diego Chargers roster**
Quarterbacks (QB) 13 Wayne Clark 14 Dan Fouts 19 Johnny Unitas Running backs (RB) 37 Cid Edwards FB 20 Mike Garrett 26 Clinton Jones 35 Bob Thomas Wide receivers (WR) 81 Ron Holliday 25 Jerry LeVias 28 Willie McGee Tight ends (TE) 88 Pettis Norman 80 Gary Parris 86 Jim Thaxton		Offensive linemen (OL) 61 Al Dennis G 52 Jay Douglas C 55 Carl Mauck C 76 Terry Owens T 78 Walt Sweeney G 70 Russ Washington T 62 Ralph Wenzel G 63 Doug Wilkerson G Defensive linemen (DL) 87 Lionel Aldridge DE 79 Coy Bacon DE 64 Dave Costa DT 77 Ron East DT 75 Deacon Jones DE 51 Pete Lazetich DE 71 Cal Snowden DE 68 Gregory Wojcik DT		Linebackers (LB) 54 Carl Gersbach 66 Rick Redman 57 Floyd Rice 53 Mel Rogers 82 Tim Rossovich 58 Mike Stratton Defensive backs (DB) 40 Joe Beauchamp CB 39 Lenny Dunlap CB 44 Chris Fletcher FS 24 Bob Howard CB 30 Bryant Salter SS 48 Ron Smith SS Special teams (ST) 29 Dennis Partee P 15 Ray Wersching K		Reserve 27 Gary Garrison WR (IR) Rookies in italics

Preseason

Week	Date	Opponent	Result	Record	Venue
1	August 4	New York Giants	L 3–28	0–1	San Diego Stadium
2	August 11	St. Louis Cardinals	L 13–17	0–2	San Diego Stadium
3	August 19	at San Francisco 49ers	L 7–19	0–3	Candlestick Park
4	August 25	Philadelphia Eagles	W 24–17	1–3	San Diego Stadium
5	August 31	at Los Angeles Rams	L 17–30	1–4	Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
6	September 8	Minnesota Vikings	L 16–24	1–5	San Diego Stadium

^[2]

Regular season

Schedule

Week	Date	Opponent	Result	Record	Venue	Attendance	Recap
1	September 16	at Washington Redskins	L 0–38	0–1	RFK Stadium	53,589	Recap
2	September 23	Buffalo Bills	W 34–7	1–1	San Diego Stadium	47,588	Recap
3	September 30	Cincinnati Bengals	L 13–20	1–2	San Diego Stadium	46,733	Recap
4	October 7	at Pittsburgh Steelers	L 21–38	1–3	Three Rivers Stadium	48,795	Recap
5	October 14	Oakland Raiders	L 17–27	1–4	San Diego Stadium	50,672	Recap
6	October 21	Atlanta Falcons	L 0–41	1–5	San Diego Stadium	41,527	Recap
7	October 28	at Cleveland Browns	T 16–16	1–5–1	Cleveland Municipal Stadium	68,244	Recap
8	November 4	Kansas City Chiefs	L 0–19	1–6–1	San Diego Stadium	50,234	Recap
9	November 11	at Denver Broncos	L 19–30	1–7–1	Mile High Stadium	51,034	Recap
10	November 18	New Orleans Saints	W 17–14	2–7–1	San Diego Stadium	34,848	Recap
11	November 25	at Oakland Raiders	L 3–31	2–8–1	Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum	40,195	Recap
12	December 2	at New England Patriots	L 14–30	2–9–1	Schaefer Stadium	58,150	Recap
13	December 9	Denver Broncos	L 28–42	2–10–1	San Diego Stadium	44,954	Recap
14	December 16	at Kansas City Chiefs	L 6–33	2–11–1	Arrowhead Stadium	43,755	Recap

Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.

Game summaries

Week 1: at Washington Redskins

Week One: San Diego Chargers at Washington Redskins – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Chargers	0	0	0	0	0
Redskins	21	0	7	10	38

at Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium, Washington, D.C.

Date: September 16
Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT
Game weather: 73 °F (22.8 °C), relative humidity 59%, wind 6 mph
Game attendance: 53,589
Referee: Norm Schachter
Box score

Game information

First quarter

WAS – Verlon Biggs 2-yard fumble return (Curt Knight kick), 9:03. Redskins 7–0.
WAS – Larry Brown 1-yard run (Curt Knight kick), 5:08. Redskins 14–0. Drive: 3 plays, 22 yards, 0:53.
WAS – Brig Owens 36-yard fumble return (Curt Knight kick), 0:57. Redskins 21–0.

Second quarter

No scoring plays.

Third quarter

WAS – Charley Taylor 32-yard pass from Billy Kilmer (Curt Knight kick), 11:07. Redskins 28–0. Drive: 7 plays, 80 yards, 3:53.

Fourth quarter

WAS – Curt Knight 19-yard field goal, 14:09. Redskins 31–0. Drive: 4 plays, 3 yards, 0:51.
WAS – Frank Grant 12-yard pass from Billy Kilmer (Curt Knight kick), 9:50. Redskins 38–0. Drive: 5 plays, 52 yards, 3:15.

Top passers

SDG – Johnny Unitas – 6/17, 55 yards, 3 INT
WAS – Billy Kilmer – 10/18, 129 yards, 2 TD

Top rushers

SDG – Cid Edwards – 14 rushes, 63 yards
WAS – Duane Thomas – 12 rushes, 30 yards

Top receivers

SDG – Gary Garrison – 2 receptions, 36 yards
WAS – Charley Taylor – 3 receptions, 60 yards, TD

Week 2: vs. Buffalo Bills

Week Two: Buffalo Bills at San Diego Chargers – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Bills	0	7	0	0	7
Chargers	7	7	14	6	34

at San Diego Stadium, San Diego, California

Date: September 23
Game time: 1:00 p.m. PDT
Game weather: 67 °F (19.4 °C), relative humidity 71%, wind 10 mph
Game attendance: 47,588
Referee: Jack Reader
Box score

Game information

First quarter

SDG – Ron Smith 72-yard punt return (Ray Wersching kick), 5:09. Chargers 7–0.

Second quarter

BUF – O. J. Simpson 6-yard run (John Leypoldt kick), 9:50. Tied 7–7. Drive: 6 plays, 53 yards, 1:22.
SDG – Robert Holmes 1-yard run (Ray Wersching kick), 6:33. Chargers 14–7. Drive: 9 plays, 67 yards, 3:17.

Third quarter

SDG – Gary Garrison 26-yard pass from Johnny Unitas (Ray Wersching kick), 12:31. Chargers 21–7. Drive: 2 plays, 27 yards, 0:44.
SDG – Jim Thaxton 12-yard pass from Johnny Unitas (Ray Wersching kick), 0:11. Chargers 28–8. Drive: 10 plays, 80 yards, 4:53.

Fourth quarter

SDG – Robert Holmes 4-yard run (kick blocked), 8:16. Chargers 34–7. Drive: 2 plays, 35 yards, 0:54.

Top passers

BUF – Dennis Shaw – 7/15, 106 yards, 2 INT
SDG – Johnny Unitas – 10/18, 175 yards, 2 TD

Top rushers

BUF – O. J. Simpson – 22 rushes, 103 yards, TD
SDG – Clint Jones – 7 rushes, 42 yards

Top receivers

BUF – J. D. Hill – 7 receptions, 118 yards
SDG – Dave Williams – 5 receptions, 86 yards

Week 3: vs. Cincinnati Bengals

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

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Bengals	7	6	7	0	20
Chargers	3	0	0	10	13

at San Diego Stadium, San Diego, California

Date: September 30
Game time: 1:00 p.m. PDT
Game weather: 67 °F (19.4 °C), relative humidity 70%, wind 9 mph
Game attendance: 46,733
Referee: Chuck Heberling
Box score

Game information

First quarter

SDG – Ray Wersching 39-yard field goal, 7:08. Chargers 3–0. Drive: 4 plays, -5 yards, 2:00.
CIN – Essex Johnson 78-yard pass from Ken Anderson (Horst Muhlmann kick), 0:16. Bengals 7–3. Drive: 3 plays, 80 yards, 1:26.

Second quarter

CIN – Boobie Clark 1-yard run (kick failed), 11:07. Bengals 13–3. Drive: 5 plays, 36 yards, 2:13.

Third quarter

CIN – Essex Johnson 38-yard pass from Ken Anderson (Horst Muhlmann kick), 10:55. Bengals 20–3. Drive: 7 plays, 86 yards, 4:05.

Fourth quarter

SDG – Ray Wersching 13-yard field goal, 12:07. Bengals 20–6. Drive: 13 plays, 63 yards, 6:37.
SDG – Bob Thomas 8-yard pass from Johnny Unitas (Ray Wersching kick), 6:31. Bengals 20–13. Drive: 4 plays, 62 yards, 1:01.

Top passers

CIN – Ken Anderson – 10/17, 222 yards, 2 TD
SDG – Johnny Unitas – 15/31, 215 yards, TD, 2 INT

Top rushers

CIN – Essex Johnson – 21 rushes, 121 yards
SDG – Mike Garrett – 21 rushes, 79 yards

Top receivers

CIN – Essex Johnson – 2 receptions, 116 yards, 2 TD
SDG – Gary Garrison – 4 receptions, 117 yards

Week 4: at Pittsburgh Steelers

Week Four: San Diego Chargers at Pittsburgh Steelers – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Chargers	0	0	0	21	21
Steelers	17	21	0	0	38

at Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Date: October 7
Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT
Game weather: 60 °F (15.6 °C), relative humidity 63%, wind 7 mph
Game attendance: 48,795
Referee: Pat Haggerty
Box score

Game information

First quarter

PIT – Ron Shanklin 12-yard pass from Terry Bradshaw (Roy Gerela kick), 10:22. Steelers 7–0. Drive: 8 plays, 67 yards, 4:38.
PIT – Terry Bradshaw 1-yard run (Roy Gerela kick), 5:08. Steelers 14–0. Drive: 11 plays, 50 yards, 4:35.
PIT – Roy Gerela 38-yard field goal, 0:31. Steelers 17–0.

Second quarter

PIT – Steve Davis 1-yard run (Roy Gerela kick), 13:16. Steelers 24–0. Drive: 4 plays, 1 yard, 1:26.
PIT – Mike Wagner blocked punt recovery in end zone (Roy Gerela kick), 8:43. Steelers 31–0.
PIT – Ron Shanklin 37-yard pass from Terry Hanratty (Roy Gerela kick), 5:14. Steelers 38–0. Drive: 2 plays, 38 yards, 0:50.

Third quarter

No scoring plays.

Fourth quarter

SDG – Jerry LeVias 13-yard pass from Dan Fouts (Ray Wersching kick), 14:50. Steelers 38–7. Drive: 12 plays, 73 yards, 5:56.
SDG – Clint Jones 3-yard run (Ray Wersching kick), 12:34. Steelers 38–14. Drive: 6 plays, 90 yards, 1:00.
SDG – Robert Holmes 1-yard run (Ray Wersching kick), 3:49. Steelers 38–21. Drive: 3 plays, 22 yards, 1:38.

Top passers

SDG – Dan Fouts – 11/21, 174 yards, TD, INT
PIT – Terry Bradshaw – 7/16, 99 yards, TD, INT

Top rushers

SDG – Cid Edwards – 13 rushes, 94 yards
PIT – Preston Pearson – 6 rushes, 64 yards

Top receivers

SDG – Clint Jones – 2 receptions, 51 yards
PIT – Frank Lewis – 4 receptions, 61 yards

Week 5: vs. Oakland Raiders

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

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Raiders	0	6	7	14	27
Chargers	3	0	14	0	17

at San Diego Stadium, San Diego, California

Date: October 14
Game time: 1:00 p.m. PDT
Game weather: 66 °F (18.9 °C), relative humidity 71%, wind 8 mph
Game attendance: 50,672
Referee: John McDonough
Box score

Game information

First quarter

SDG – Ray Wersching 27-yard field goal, 6:31. Chargers 3–0. Drive: 10 plays, 52 yards, 4:20.

Second quarter

OAK – George Blanda 18-yard field goal, 7:30. Tied 3–3. Drive: 6 plays, 23 yards, 1:12.
OAK – George Blanda 15-yard field goal, 0:07. Raiders 6–3. Drive: 8 plays, 35 yards, 1:34.

Third quarter

SDG – Jim Thaxton 20-yard pass from Dan Fouts (Ray Wersching kick), 11:42. Chargers 10–6. Drive: 5 plays, 21 yards, 1:41.
OAK – Cliff Branch 54-yard pass from Ken Stabler (George Blanda kick), 8:51. Raiders 13–10. Drive: 6 plays, 80 yards, 2:51.
SDG – Jerry LeVias 36-yard pass from Dan Fouts (Ray Wersching kick), 0:21. Chargers 17–13. Drive: 14 plays, 80 yards, 8:30.

Fourth quarter

OAK – Marv Hubbard 1-yard run (George Blanda kick), 9:54. Raiders 20–17. Drive: 12 plays, 80 yards, 5:27.
OAK – Bob Moore 26-yard pass from Ken Stabler (George Blanda kick), 9:01. Raiders 27–17. Drive: 2 plays, 28 yards, 0:43.

Top passers

OAK – Ken Stabler – 13/22, 193 yards, 2 TD, INT
SDG – Dan Fouts – 12/30, 183 yards, 2 TD, INT

Top rushers

OAK – Marv Hubbard – 16 rushes, 76 yards, TD
SDG – Robert Holmes – 6 rushes, 36 yards

Top receivers

OAK – Cliff Branch – 2 receptions, 71 yards, TD
SDG – Jim Thaxton – 4 receptions, 63 yards, TD

Week 6: vs. Atlanta Falcons

Week Six: Atlanta Falcons at San Diego Chargers – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Falcons	7	10	10	14	41
Chargers	0	0	0	0	0

at San Diego Stadium, San Diego, California

Date: October 21
Game time: 1:00 p.m. PDT
Game weather: 65 °F (18.3 °C), relative humidity 73%, wind 10 mph
Game attendance: 41,527
Box score

Game information

First quarter

ATL – Art Malone 8-yard run (Nick Mike-Mayer kick), 6:31. Falcons 7–0.

Second quarter

ATL – Nick Mike-Mayer 43-yard field goal, 7:30. Falcons 10–0.
ATL – Dave Hampton 4-yard run (Nick Mike-Mayer kick), 0:07. Falcons 17–0.

Third quarter

ATL – Nick Mike-Mayer 12-yard field goal, 7:30. Falcons 20–0.
ATL – Dave Hampton 2-yard run (Nick Mike-Mayer kick), 0:07. Falcons 27–0.

Fourth quarter

ATL – Eddie Ray 2-yard run (Nick Mike-Mayer kick), 0:07. Falcons 34–0.
ATL – Eddie Ray 12-yard run (Nick Mike-Mayer kick), 0:07. Falcons 41–0.

Top passers

ATL – Bob Lee – 9/17, 146 yards, INT
SDG – Dan Fouts – 13/36, 99 yards, 4 INT

Top rushers

ATL – Dave Hampton – 19 rushes, 76 yards, 2 TD
SDG – Clint Jones – 10 rushes, 32 yards

Top receivers

ATL – Ken Burrow – 2 receptions, 59 yards
SDG – Ron Holliday – 3 receptions, 44 yards

Week 7: at Cleveland Browns

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

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Chargers	0	10	3	3	16
Browns	0	3	3	10	16

at Cleveland Municipal Stadium, Cleveland, Ohio

Date: October 28
Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
Game weather: 54 °F (12.2 °C), relative humidity 86%, wind 11 mph
Game attendance: 68,244
Referee: Tom Bell
Box score

Game information

First quarter

No scoring plays.

Second quarter

SDG – Ray Wersching 11-yard field goal, 8:21. Chargers 3–0. Drive: 9 plays, 42 yards, 5:21.
CLE – Don Cockroft 40-yard field goal, 5:35. Tied 3–3. Drive: 6 plays, 12 yards, 2:46.
SDG – Mike Garrett 1-yard pass from Dan Fouts (Ron Holliday run), 0:10. Chargers 10–3. Drive: 10 plays, 47 yards, 3:29.

Third quarter

CLE – Don Cockroft 17-yard field goal, 4:49. Chargers 10–6. Drive: 19 plays, 90 yards, 10:11.
SDG – Ray Wersching 8-yard field goal, 1:30. Chargers 13–6. Drive: 6 plays, 72 yards, 3:19.

Fourth quarter

CLE – Don Cockroft 42-yard field goal, 11:02. Chargers 13–9. Drive: 6 plays, 19 yards, 2:22.
CLE – Greg Pruitt 7-yard run (Don Cockroft kick), 8:26. Browns 16–13. Drive: 2 plays, 9 yards, 0:55.
SDG – Ray Wersching 16-yard field goal, 0:30. Tied 16–16. Drive: 6 plays, 69 yards, 1:46.

Top passers

SDG – Dan Fouts – 8/16, 135 yards, TD, INT
CLE – Mike Phipps – 10/21, 92 yards, 2 INT

Top rushers

SDG – Mike Garrett – 19 rushes, 130 yards
CLE – Billy Lefear – 7 rushes, 47 yards

Top receivers

SDG – Willie McGee – 1 reception, 50 yards
CLE – Billy Lefear – 2 receptions, 24 yards

Week 8: vs. Kansas City Chiefs

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

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Chiefs	6	3	3	7	19
Chargers	0	0	0	0	0

at San Diego Stadium, San Diego, California

Date: November 4
Game time: 1:00 p.m. PST
Game weather: 61 °F (16.1 °C), relative humidity 62%, wind 6 mph
Game attendance: 50,234
Referee: Fred Swearingen
Box score

Game information

First quarter

KAN – Ed Podolak 5-yard run (kick blocked), 2:35. Chiefs 6–0. Drive: 11 plays, 79 yards, 6:51.

Second quarter

KAN – Jan Stenerud 31-yard field goal, 7:58. Chiefs 9–0. Drive: 7 plays, 67 yards, 4:27.

Third quarter

KAN – Jan Stenerud 36-yard field goal, 8:32. Chiefs 12–0. Drive: 9 plays, 20 yards, 4:42.

Fourth quarter

KAN – Morris Stroud 39-yard pass from Mike Livingston (Jan Stenerud kick), 5:47. Chiefs 19–0. Drive: 2 plays, 39 yards, 0:11.

Top passers

KAN – Mike Livingston – 13/22, 193 yards, 2 TD, INT
SDG – Dan Fouts – 11/29, 128 yards, 3 INT

Top rushers

KAN – Wendell Hayes – 13 rushes, 90 yards
SDG – Mike Garrett – 14 rushes, 51 yards

Top receivers

KAN – Pettis Norman – 3 receptions, 62 yards
SDG – Morris Stroud – 2 receptions, 61 yards, TD

Week 9: at Denver Broncos

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

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Chargers	3	13	0	3	19
Broncos	10	0	6	14	30

at Mile High Stadium, Denver, Colorado

Date: November 11
Game time: 2:00 p.m. CST
Game weather: 52 °F (11.1 °C), relative humidity 41%, wind 7 mph
Game attendance: 51,034
Referee: Jim Tunney
Box score

Game information

First quarter

DEN – Floyd Little 1-yard run (Jim Turner kick), 14:32. Broncos 7–0. Drive: 2 plays, 12 yards, 0:09.
DEN – Jim Turner 39 yard field goal, 10:09. Broncos 10–0. Drive: 7 plays, 33 yards, 3:12.
SDG – Ray Wersching 26-yard field goal, 0:00. Broncos 10–3. Drive: 17 plays, 58 yards, 10:09.

Second quarter

SDG – Coy Bacon 80-yard interception return (kick blocked), 5:45. Broncos 10–9.
SDG – Robert Holmes 18-yard run (Ray Wersching kick), 1:54. Chargers 16–10. Drive: 4 plays, 35 yards, 2:13.

Third quarter

DEN – Gene Washington 20-yard pass from Charley Johnson (kick blocked), 5:12. Tied 16–16. Drive: 12 plays, 62 yards, 6:24.

Fourth quarter

DEN – Riley Odoms 14-yard pass from Charley Johnson (Jim Turner kick), 10:01. Broncos 23–16. Drive: 7 plays, 80 yards, 3:50.
SDG – Ray Wersching 38-yard field goal, 4:25. Broncos 23–19. Drive: 10 plays, 43 yards, 5:36.
DEN – Floyd Little 1-yard run (Jim Turner kick), 0:46. Broncos 30–19. Drive: 6 plays, 23 yards, 2:32.

Top passers

SDG – Wayne Clark – 12/21, 122 yards
DEN – Charley Johnson – 16/29, 234 yards, 2 TD, INT

Top rushers

SDG – Mike Garrett – 12 rushes, 47 yards
DEN – Floyd Little – 22 rushes, 109 yards, 2 TD

Top receivers

SDG – Jerry LeVias – 6 reception, 89 yards
DEN – Floyd Little – 5 receptions, 76 yards

Week 10: vs. New Orleans Saints

Week Ten: New Orleans Saints at San Diego Chargers – Game summary

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

at San Diego Stadium, San Diego, California

Date: November 18
Game time: 1:00 p.m. PST
Game weather: 61 °F (16.1 °C), relative humidity 83%, wind 12 mph
Game attendance: 34,848
Referee: Pat Haggerty
Box score

Game information

First quarter

No scoring plays.

Second quarter

SDG – Ray Wersching 28-yard field goal, 2:51. Chargers 3–0. Drive: 5 plays, 60 yards, 1:40.
SDG – Ron Smith 84-yard punt return (Ray Wersching kick), 1:18. Chargers 10–0.

Third quarter

NO – Jubilee Dunbar 9-yard pass from Archie Manning (Bill McClard kick), 1:17. Chargers 10–7. Drive: 6 plays, 57 yards, 3:30.

Fourth quarter

SDG – Robert Holmes 1-yard run (Ray Wersching kick), 8:20. Chargers 17–7.
NO – John Beasley 14-yard pass from Archie Manning (Bill McClard kick), 0:58. Chargers 17–14.

Top passers

NO – Archie Manning – 21/37, 224 yards, 2 TD, INT
SDG – Wayne Clark – 8/20, 109 yards, INT

Top rushers

NO – Jess Phillips – 16 rushes, 43 yards
SDG – Cid Edwards – 12 rushes, 95 yards

Top receivers

NO – John Beasley – 12 receptions, 127 yards, TD
SDG – Jerry LeVias – 2 receptions, 63 yards

Week 11: at Oakland Raiders

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

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Chargers	3	0	0	0	3
Raiders	7	17	7	0	31

at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Oakland, California

Date: November 25
Game time: 1:00 p.m. PST
Game weather: 49 °F (9.4 °C), relative humidity 77%, wind 12 mph
Game attendance: 40,195
Referee: Fred Silva
Box score

Game information

First quarter

OAK – George Atkinson 59-yard defensive fumble return (George Blanda kick), 10:22. Raiders 7–0.
SDG – Dennis Partee 14-yard field goal, 3:27. Raiders 7–3. Drive: 12 plays, 65 yards, 6:47.

Second quarter

OAK – George Blanda 34-yard field goal, 12:15. Raiders 10–3. Drive: 12 plays, 42 yards, 6:02.
OAK – Charlie Smith 7-yard run (George Blanda kick), 3:54. Raiders 17–3. Drive: 5 plays, 69 yards, 1:42.
OAK – Fred Biletnikoff 16-yard pass from Ken Stabler (George Blanda kick), 1:44. Raiders 24–3. Drive: 1 play, 16 yards, 0:05.

Third quarter

OAK – Bob Moore 1-yard pass from Ken Stabler (George Blanda kick), 3:22. Raiders 31–3. Drive: 4 plays, 13 yards, 1:28.

Fourth quarter

No scoring plays.

Top passers

SDG – Wayne Clark – 6/15, 183 yards, INT
OAK – Ken Stabler – 12/22, 165 yards, 2 TD, INT

Top rushers

SDG – Cid Edwards – 16 rushes, 81 yards
OAK – Charlie Smith – 14 rushes, 66 yards, TD

Top receivers

SDG – Clint Jones – 2 receptions, 47 yards
OAK – Mike Siani – 4 receptions, 90 yards

Week 12: at New England Patriots

Week Twelve: San Diego Chargers at New England Patriots – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Chargers	0	14	0	0	14
Patriots	3	13	7	7	30

at Schaefer Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts

Date: December 2
Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
Game weather: 33 °F (0.6 °C), relative humidity 47%, wind 13 mph, wind chill 23
Game attendance: 58,150
Referee: John McDonough
Box score

Game information

First quarter

NE – Jeff White 11-yard field goal, 1:06. Patriots 3–0. Drive: 9 plays, 47 yards, 4:45.

Second quarter

SDG – Floyd Rice 51-yard fumble return (Dennis Partee kick), 11:48. Chargers 7–3.
SDG – Robert Holmes 1-yard run (Dennis Partee kick), 4:27. Chargers 14–3. Drive: 10 plays, 34 yards, 5:43.
NE – Mack Herron 92-yard kickoff return (kick blocked), 4:09. Chargers 14–9.
NE – Randy Vataha 14-yard pass from Jim Plunkett (Jeff White kick), 0:21. Patriots 16–14. Drive: 12 plays, 80 yards, 1:52.

Third quarter

NE – Jim Plunkett 1-yard run (Jeff White kick), 9:48. Patriots 23–14. Drive: 10 plays, 69 yards, 5:12.

Fourth quarter

NE – Jim Plunkett 3-yard run (Jeff White kick), 7:16. Patriots 30–14. Drive: 11 plays, 82 yards, 7:35.

Top passers

SDG – Wayne Clark – 5/8, 46 yards, INT
NE – Jim Plunkett – 13/27, 186 yards, TD, 2 INT

Top rushers

SDG – Cid Edwards – 11 rushes, 56 yards
NE – John Tarver – 14 rushes, 76 yards

Top receivers

SDG – Cid Edwards – 3 receptions, 24 yards
NE – Reggie Rucker – 4 receptions, 55 yards

Week 13: vs. Denver Broncos

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

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Broncos	7	13	19	3	42
Chargers	7	7	0	14	28

at San Diego Stadium, San Diego, California

Date: December 9
Game time: 1:00 p.m. PST
Game weather: 63 °F (17.2 °C), relative humidity 34%, wind 5 mph
Game attendance: 44,954
Referee: Fred Wyant
Box score

Game information

First quarter

SDG – Robert Holmes 1-yard run (Dennis Partee kick), 5:03. Chargers 7–0. Drive: 7 plays, 60 yards, 2:26.
DEN – Riley Odoms 24-yard pass from Charley Johnson (Jim Turner kick), 2:49. Tied 7–7. Drive: 5 plays, 80 yards, 2:09.

Second quarter

DEN – Floyd Little 1-yard run (Jim Turner kick), 7:05. Broncos 14–7. Drive: 8 plays, 69 yards, 5:10.
DEN – Jim Turner 25-yard field goal, 4:02. Broncos 17–7. Drive: 5 plays, 17 yards.
SDG – Gary Garrison 11-yard pass from Dan Fouts (Dennis Partee kick), 3:03. Broncos 17–14. Drive: 4 plays, 33 yards, 0:44.
DEN – Jim Turner 35-yard field goal, 0:49. Broncos 20–14. Drive: 10 plays, 22 yards, 2:14.

Third quarter

DEN – Joe Dawkins 2-yard run (Jim Turner kick), 10:31. Broncos 27–14. Drive: 8 plays, 61 yards, 3:35.
DEN – Jim Turner 15-yard field goal, 5:57. Broncos 30–14. Drive: 9 plays, 35 yards, 3:02.
DEN – Safety, Ken Criter blocked punt through end zone, 4:13. Broncos 32–14.
DEN – Haven Moses 15-yard pass from Charley Johnson (Jim Turner kick), 1:13. Broncos 39–14. Drive: 7 plays, 47 yards, 2:47.

Fourth quarter

SDG – Cid Edwards 1-yard run (Dennis Partee kick), 12:44. Broncos 39–21. Drive: 10 plays, 68 yards, 3:20.
SDG – Jerry LeVias 69 yard pass from Dan Fouts (Dennis Partee kick), 8:32. Broncos 39–28. Drive: 1 play, 69 yards, 0:12.
DEN – Jim Turner 29-yard field goal, 2:19. Broncos 42–28. Drive: 6 plays, 20 yards, 3:39.

Top passers

DEN – Charley Johnson – 15/26, 216 yards, 2 TD
SDG – Dan Fouts – 13/31, 254 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT

Top rushers

DEN – Floyd Little – 18 rushes, 88 yards, TD
SDG – Robert Holmes – 7 rushes, 68 yards, TD

Top receivers

DEN – Jerry Simmons – 1 reception, 53 yards
SDG – Jerry LeVias – 5 receptions, 149 yards, TD

Week 14: at Kansas City Chiefs

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

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Chargers	3	0	3	0	6
Chiefs	10	3	10	10	33

at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri

Date: December 16
Game time: 1:00 p.m. CST
Game weather: 20 °F (−6.7 °C), relative humidity 73%, wind 11 mph, wind chill 8
Game attendance: 43,755
Box score

Game information

First quarter

KAN – Ed Podolak 5-yard run (Jan Stenerud kick), 10:12. Chiefs 7–0. Drive: 4 plays, 14 yards.
SDG – Ray Wersching 22-yard field goal, 5:04. Chiefs 7–3. Drive: 11 plays, 60 yards, 5:08.
KAN – Jan Stenerud 45-yard field goal, 0:12. Chiefs 10–3. Drive: 10 plays, 30 yards, 4:52.

Second quarter

KAN – Jan Stenerud 36-yard field goal, 11:59. Chiefs 13–3. Drive: 4 plays, -2 yards.

Third quarter

KAN – Jan Stenerud 20-yard field goal, 12:03. Chiefs 16–3. Drive: 5 plays, 23 yards, 1:58.
SDG – Ray Wersching 26-yard field goal, 9:44. Chiefs 16–6. Drive: 7 plays, 37 yards, 2:19.
KAN – Jeff Kinney 5-yard run (Jan Stenerud kick), 3:06. Chiefs 23–6. Drive: 12 plays, 80 yards, 6:38.

Fourth quarter

KAN – Wendell Hayes 2-yard run (Jan Stenerud kick), 7:17. Chiefs 30–6. Drive: 7 plays, 30 yards, 4:46.
KAN – Jan Stenerud 27-yard field goal, 2:10. Chiefs 33–6. Drive: 5 plays, 25 yards, 4:29.

Top passers

SDG – Dan Fouts – 9/14, 97 yards
KAN – Mike Livingston – 11/22, 123 yards

Top rushers

SDG – Robert Holmes – 9 rushes, 27 yards
KAN – Ed Podolak – 13 rushes, 50 yards, TD

Top receivers

SDG – Robert Holmes – 5 receptions, 50 yards
KAN – Jeff Kinney – 2 receptions, 42 yards

Standings

AFC West
	W	L	T	PCT	DIV	CONF	PF	PA	STK
Oakland Raiders	9	4	1	.679	4–1–1	7–3–1	292	175	W4
Kansas City Chiefs	7	5	2	.571	4–2	6–4–1	231	192	W1
Denver Broncos	7	5	2	.571	3–2–1	7–2–1	354	296	L1
	2	11	1	.179	0–6	1–9–1	188	386	L4

Awards

The AFC Pro Bowl squad did not feature any Chargers.^[3] Also, no Chargers were named All-Pro by the Associated Press, nor were any named the best in his Conference.^[4]

References

^ Fouts would go on to play 15 seasons for the Chargers, and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1993.
^ "2021 Los Angeles Chargers Media Guide". chargers.com.
^ "1973 NFL Pro Bowlers". pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved April 18, 2025.
^ "1973 NFL All-Pros". pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved April 18, 2025.

[1] Fouts would go on to play 15 seasons for the Chargers, and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1993.

[2] "2021 Los Angeles Chargers Media Guide". chargers.com.

[3] "1973 NFL Pro Bowlers". pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved April 18, 2025.

[4] "1973 NFL All-Pros". pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved April 18, 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 1970 1971 1972 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