1974 San Diego Chargers season

1974 San Diego Chargers season
1974 San Diego Chargers season
Owner	Eugene V. Klein
General manager	Harland Svare
Head coach	Tommy Prothro
Home stadium	San Diego Stadium
Results
Record	5–9
Division place	4th AFC West
Playoffs	Did not qualify
All-Pros	None
Pro Bowlers	1 T Russ Washington;

The 1974 San Diego Chargers season was the franchise's fifth season in the National Football League (NFL), and its 15th overall. The team improved on their 2–11–1 record in 1973 and finished 5–9. It was Tommy Prothro's first season as the team's head coach.

Before the season, the team changed from white helmets and powder blue jerseys—which it had had since its inception in 1960—to royal blue helmets and jerseys.^[1] Players' uniform numbers were also removed from the helmets. The royal blue would remain through 1984, when the helmets and jerseys became a darker shade of blue (navy blue); that blue became even darker in 1988. The Chargers switched back permanently to modified white helmets in 2007.^[2]

Offseason

NFL draft

Round	Pick	Player	Position	College	Notes
1974 San Diego Chargers draft
1	2	Bo Matthews	Running back	Colorado Boulder
1	15	Don Goode	Linebacker	Kansas
2	43	Mark Markovich	Center	Penn State
3	59	Bill Rudder	Running back	Tennessee
4	81	Harrison Davis	Wide receiver	Virginia
5	105	John Teerlinck	Defensive tackle	Western Illinois
6	133	Jesse Freitas	Quarterback	San Diego State
8	185	Tom Forrest	Guard	Cincinnati
8	206	Bon Boatwright	Defensive tackle	Oklahoma State
9	210	Danny Colbert	Cornerback	Tulsa
10	237	John Ketchoyian	Linebacker	Santa Clara
11	262	Dave Grannell	Tight end	Arizona State University
12	289	Sam Williams	Cornerback	California
13	314	Brian Vertefeuille	Tackle	Idaho State
14	341	Greg Bailey	Defensive back	Long Beach State
15	366	Charles Anthony	Linebacker	Southern California
15	386	Greg Meczka	Tight end	Bowling Green
16	393	Neal Skarin	Defensive end	Arizona State
17	418	Charles DeJurnett	Defensive tackle	San Jose State	Joined the Chargers in 1976 after initially playing in the WFL
Made roster * Made at least one Pro Bowl during career

Roster

**1974 San Diego Chargers roster**
Quarterbacks (QB) 14 Dan Fouts 17 Jesse Freitas Jr. 13 Don Horn Running backs (RB) 21 Glen Bonner 35 Cid Edwards FB 41 Bo Matthews 35 Bob Thomas 38 Tom Thompson 33 Don Woods Wide receivers (WR) 85 Jim Beirne 87 Harrison Davis 27 Gary Garrison 88 Dick Gordon 25 Jerry LeVias Tight ends (TE) 82 Dave Grannell 80 Gary Parris 89 Wayne Stewart		Offensive linemen (OL) 52 Jay Douglas C 69 Ira Gordon G 65 Mark Markovich C 55 Carl Mauck C 76 Terry Owens T 62 Harold Paul T 68 Brian Vertefeuille T 70 Russ Washington T 63 Doug Wilkerson G Defensive linemen (DL) 79 Coy Bacon DE 75 Raymond Baylor DE 73 Bon Boatwright DT 61 Blenda Gay DE 71 Pete Lazetich DE 74 Dave Rowe DT 77 John Teerlinck DT 75 Dave Tipton DE		Linebackers (LB) 59 Charles Anthony 56 Fred Forsberg 54 Carl Gersbach 50 Don Goode 58 Mike Lee 53 Chip Myrtle 57 Floyd Rice Defensive backs (DB) 40 Joe Beauchamp CB 45 Reggie Berry 46 Danny Colbert CB 44 Chris Fletcher FS 23 George Hoey 24 Bob Howard CB 47 Sam Williams CB Special teams (ST) 29 Dennis Partee P 15 Ray Wersching K		Reserve 81 Jeff Staggs LB (IR) Rookies in italics , 5 practice squad

Preseason

Week	Date	Opponent	Result	Record	Venue
1	August 3	San Francisco 49ers	W 20–6	1–0	San Diego Stadium
2	August 10	New York Jets	W 20–14	2–0	San Diego Stadium
3	August 18	vs. St. Louis Cardinals	L 14–48	2–1	Husky Stadium (Seattle)
4	August 24	New England Patriots	L 14–23	2–2	San Diego Stadium
5	August 31	Los Angeles Rams	L 16–30	2–3	San Diego Stadium
6	September 7	at Minnesota Vikings	L 0–42	2–4	Metropolitan Stadium

^[3]

Regular season

Schedule

Week	Date	Opponent	Result	Record	Venue	Attendance	Recap
1	September 15	at Houston Oilers	L 14–21	0–1	Astrodome	25,317	Recap
2	September 22	at Cincinnati Bengals	W 20–17	1–1	Riverfront Stadium	51,178	Recap
3	September 29	Miami Dolphins	L 21–28	1–2	San Diego Stadium	44,706	Recap
4	October 6	Philadelphia Eagles	L 7–13	1–3	San Diego Stadium	36,124	Recap
5	October 13	Oakland Raiders	L 10–14	1–4	San Diego Stadium	40,539	Recap
6	October 20	at Denver Broncos	L 7–27	1–5	Mile High Stadium	50,928	Recap
7	October 27	Kansas City Chiefs	L 24–14	1–6	San Diego Stadium	34,371	Recap
8	November 3	Cleveland Browns	W 36–35	2–6	San Diego Stadium	35,683	Recap
9	November 10	at Kansas City Chiefs	W 14–7	3–6	Arrowhead Stadium	48,551	Recap
10	November 17	at Oakland Raiders	L 10–17	3–7	Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum	50,178	Recap
11	November 24	at Green Bay Packers	L 0–34	3–8	Lambeau Field	56,267	Recap
12	December 1	at New York Jets	L 14–27	3–9	Shea Stadium	44,888	Recap
13	December 8	Chicago Bears	W 28–21	4–9	San Diego Stadium	33,662	Recap
14	December 15	Denver Broncos	W 17–0	5–9	San Diego Stadium	36,571	Recap

Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.

Standings

AFC West
	W	L	T	PCT	DIV	CONF	PF	PA	STK
Oakland Raiders	12	2	0	.857	5–1	9–2	355	228	W3
Denver Broncos	7	6	1	.536	3–3	5–4–1	302	294	L1
Kansas City Chiefs	5	9	0	.357	2–4	4–7	233	293	L2
	5	9	0	.357	2–4	4–7	212	285	W2

Season summary

Week 1: at Houston Oilers

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

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Chargers	0	7	7	0	14
Oilers	14	0	0	7	21

at Astrodome, Houston, Texas

Date: September 15
Game time: 1:00 p.m. CDT
Game weather: N/A (game played indoors)
Game attendance: 25,317
Referee: Pat Haggerty
TV announcers (NBC): Ross Porter and Willie Davis
Box score

Game information

First quarter

HOU – George Amundson 1-yard run (Skip Butler kick), 10:27. Oilers 7–0. Drive: 7 plays, 67 yards, 4:33.
HOU – George Amundson 8-yard pass from Lynn Dickey (Skip Butler kick), 0:03. Oilers 14–0. Drive: 12 plays, 65 yards, 5:23.

Second quarter

SDG – Glen Bonner 3-yard run (Dennis Partee kick), 1:23. Oilers 14–7. Drive: 7 plays, 40 yards, 3:24.

Third quarter

SDG – Gary Garrison 29-yard pass from Dan Fouts (Dennis Partee kick), 13:07. Tied 14–14. Drive: 4 plays, 65 yards, 1:53.

Fourth quarter

HOU – George Amundson 3-yard run (Skip Butler kick), 13:20. Oilers 21–14. Drive: 7 plays, 58 yards, 2:54.

Top passers

SDG – Dan Fouts – 13/26, 209 yards, TD, 2 INT
HOU – Lynn Dickey – 19/26, 195 yards, TD, INT

Top rushers

SDG – Cid Edwards – 16 rushes, 100 yards
HOU – Ronnie Coleman – 21 rushes, 123 yards

Top receivers

SDG – Gary Garrison – 4 receptions, 80 yards, TD
HOU – George Amundson – 5 receptions, 51 yards, TD

Week 2: at Cincinnati Bengals

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

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Chargers	7	6	0	7	20
Bengals	0	7	10	0	17

at Riverfront Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio

Date: September 22
Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT
Game weather: 53 °F (11.7 °C), relative humidity 74%, wind 9 mph
Game attendance: 51,178
Referee: John Keck
TV announcers (NBC): Al Michaels and Mike Haffner
Box score

Game information

First quarter

SDG – Glen Bonner 2-yard run (Dennis Partee kick), 9:06. Chargers 7–0. Drive: 12 plays, 65 yards, 5:54.

Second quarter

SDG – Dennis Partee 22-yard field goal, 12:56. Chargers 10–0. Drive: 6 plays, 14 yards, 2:19.
CIN – Lenvil Elliott 16-yard run (Horst Muhlmann kick), 8:06. Chargers 10–7. Drive: 7 plays, 80 yards, 4:44.
SDG – Ray Wersching 28-yard field goal, 2:20. Chargers 13–7. Drive: 11 plays, 62 yards, 5:46.

Third quarter

CIN – Boobie Clark 12-yard run (Horst Muhlmann kick), 12:13. Bengals 14–13. Drive: 6 plays, 66 yards, 2:47.
CIN – Horst Muhlmann 34-yard field goal, 2:59. Bengals 17–13. Drive: 12 plays, 63 yards, 6:20.

Fourth quarter

SDG – Dan Fouts 1-yard run (Dennis Partee kick), 7:45. Chargers 20–17. Drive: 10 plays, 98 yards, 4:14.

Top passers

SDG – Dan Fouts – 13/24, 173 yards
CIN – Ken Anderson – 17/28, 178 yards, INT

Top rushers

SDG – Cid Edwards – 12 rushes, 45 yards
CIN – Lenvil Elliott – 11 rushes, 66 yards, TD

Top receivers

SDG – Gary Garrison – 8 receptions, 116 yards
CIN – Charlie Joiner – 5 receptions, 57 yards

Week 3: vs. Miami Dolphins

Week Three: Miami Dolphins at San Diego Chargers – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Dolphins	0	7	0	21	28
Chargers	0	7	14	0	21

at San Diego Stadium, San Diego, California

Date: September 29
Game time: 1:00 p.m. PDT
Game weather: 69 °F (20.6 °C), relative humidity 75%, wind 10 mph
Game attendance: 44,706
Referee: Jim Tunney
TV announcers (NBC): Ross Porter and Willie Davis
Box score

Game information

First quarter

No scoring plays.

Second quarter

MIA – Larry Csonka 1-yard run (Garo Yepremian kick), 12:43. Dolphins 7–0. Drive: 7 plays, 14 yards, 6:55.
SDG – Wayne Stewart 21-yard pass from Dan Fouts (Dennis Partee kick), 0:49. Tied 7–7. Drive: 9 plays, 80 yards, 4:01.

Third quarter

SDG – Don Woods 1-yard run (Dennis Partee kick), 9:37. Chargers 14–7. Drive: 10 plays, 75 yards, 5:23.
SDG – Don Woods 56-yard run (Dennis Partee kick), 7:51. Chargers 21–7. Drive: 1 play, 56 yards, 0:09.

Fourth quarter

MIA – Nat Moore 13-yard pass from Bob Griese (Garo Yepremian kick), 8:30. Chargers 21–14. Drive: 8 plays, 80 yards, 3:09.
MIA – Larry Csonka 3-yard run (Garo Yepremian kick), 3:38. Tied 21–21. Drive: 6 plays, 57 yards, 2:29.
MIA – Jim Kiick 3-yard run (Garo Yepremian kick), 0:15. Dolphins 28–21. Drive: 6 plays, 42 yards, 1:35.

Top passers

MIA – Bob Griese – 14/27, 248 yards, TD, 2 INT
SDG – Dan Fouts – 14/22, 189 yards, TD

Top rushers

MIA – Larry Csonka – 21 rushes, 106 yards, 2 TD
SDG – Don Woods – 18 rushes, 157 yards, 2 TD

Top receivers

MIA – Jim Mandich – 4 receptions, 101 yards
SDG – Wayne Stewart – 3 receptions, 71 yards, TD

Week 4: vs. Philadelphia Eagles

Week Four: Philadelphia Eagles at San Diego Chargers – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Eagles	6	7	0	0	13
Chargers	0	7	0	0	7

at San Diego Stadium, San Diego, California

Date: October 6
Game time: 1:00 p.m. PDT
Game weather: 67 °F (19.4 °C), relative humidity 67%, wind 8 mph
Game attendance: 36,124
Referee: Norm Schachter
TV announcers (CBS): Dick Stockton and Tom Brookshier
Box score

Game information

First quarter

PHI – Bill Dunstan 46-yard defensive fumble return (kick blocked), 5:49. Eagles 6–0.

Second quarter

PHI – Tom Sullivan 1-yard run (Tom Dempsey kick), 2:29. Eagles 13–0. Drive: 10 plays, 47 yards, 3:32.
SDG – Gary Garrison 6-yard pass from Dan Fouts (Dennis Partee kick), 0:29. Eagles 13–7. Drive: 6 plays, 72 yards, 2:00.

Third quarter

No scoring plays.

Fourth quarter

No scoring plays.

Top passers

PHI – Roman Gabriel – 18/33, 112 yards, INT
SDG – Dan Fouts – 13/32, 134 yards, TD, 3 INT

Top rushers

PHI – Po James – 15 rushes, 87 yards
SDG – Don Woods – 21 rushes, 133 yards

Top receivers

PHI – Tom Sullivan – 5 receptions, 30 yards
SDG – Cid Edwards – 4 receptions, 50 yards

Week 5: vs. Oakland Raiders

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

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Raiders	0	7	0	7	14
Chargers	0	3	7	0	10

at San Diego Stadium, San Diego, California

Date: October 13
Game time: 1:00 p.m. PDT
Game weather: 67 °F (19.4 °C), relative humidity 74%, wind 9 mph
Game attendance: 40,539
Referee: Fred Wyant
TV announcers (KBHK-TV): Don Klein and Al LoCasale
Box score

Game information

First quarter

No scoring plays.

Second quarter

SDG – Ray Wersching 42-yard field goal, 5:33. Chargers 3–0. Drive: 15 plays, 55 yards, 8:08.
OAK – Cliff Branch 46-yard pass from Ken Stabler (George Blanda kick), 2:48. Raiders 7–3. Drive: 5 plays, 75 yards, 2:35.

Third quarter

SDG – Don Woods 7-yard run (Dennis Partee kick), 5:37. Chargers 10–7. Drive: 7 plays, 80 yards, 4:28.

Fourth quarter

OAK – Bob Moore 4-yard pass from Ken Stabler (George Blanda kick), 14:56. Raiders 14–10. Drive: 12 plays, 80 yards, 5:42.

Top passers

OAK – Ken Stabler – 12/19, 162 yards, 2 TD, INT
SDG – Dan Fouts – 11/24, 137 yards, INT

Top rushers

OAK – Marv Hubbard – 14 rushes, 94 yards
SDG – Don Woods – 17 rushes, 118 yards, TD

Top receivers

OAK – Cliff Branch – 7 receptions, 124 yards, TD
SDG – Harrison Davis – 2 receptions, 43 yards

Week 6: at Denver Broncos

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

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

at Mile High Stadium, Denver, Colorado

Date: October 20
Game time: 2:00 p.m. MDT
Game weather: 56 °F (13.3 °C), relative humidity 51%, wind 8 mph
Game attendance: 50,928
Referee: Dick Jorgensen
TV announcers (NBC): Ross Porter and Willie Davis
Box score

Game information

First quarter

DEN – Riley Odoms 5-yard pass from Charley Johnson (Jim Turner kick), 7:06. Broncos 7–0. Drive: 13 plays, 80 yards, 7:54.

Second quarter

DEN – Floyd Little 6-yard run (Jim Turner kick), 6:28. Broncos 10–0. Drive: 10 plays, 78 yards, 6:14.
DEN – Jim Turner 34-yard field goal, 0:00. Broncos 17–0. Drive: 5 plays, 25 yards, 1:02.

Third quarter

SDG – Glen Bonner 1-yard run (Dennis Partee kick), 6:54. Broncos 17–7. Drive: 13 plays, 74 yards, 8:06.
DEN – Otis Armstrong 10-yard run (Jim Turner kick), 4:48. Broncos 24–7. Drive: 4 plays, 90 yards, 2:06.

Fourth quarter

DEN – Jim Turner 34-yard field goal, 2:15. Chargers 27–7. Drive: 16 plays, 64 yards, 10:15.

Top passers

SDG – Dan Fouts – 14/29, 158 yards, 3 INT
DEN – Charley Johnson – 9/12, 146 yards, TD

Top rushers

SDG – Don Woods – 13 rushes, 39 yards
DEN – Otis Armstrong – 20 rushes, 98 yards, TD

Top receivers

SDG – Don Woods – 3 receptions, 38 yards
DEN – Floyd Little – 7 receptions, 127 yards

Week 7: vs. Kansas City Chiefs

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

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Chiefs	0	7	7	10	24
Chargers	7	0	0	7	14

at San Diego Stadium, San Diego, California

Date: October 27
Game time: 1:00 p.m. PST
Game weather: 65 °F (18.3 °C), relative humidity 69%, wind 9 mph
Game attendance: 34,371
Referee: Bob Frederic
TV announcers (NBC): Ross Porter and Willie Davis
Box score

Game information

First quarter

SDG – Gary Garrison 18-yard pass from Dan Fouts (Dennis Partee kick), 0:04. Chargers 7–0. Drive: 9 plays, 78 yards, 4:09.

Second quarter

KAN – Elmo Wright 12-yard run (Jan Stenerud kick), 11:49. Tied 7–7. Drive: 9 plays, 70 yards, 3:15.

Third quarter

KAN – Woody Green 2-yard run (Jan Stenerud kick), 10:13. Chiefs 14–7. Drive: 9 plays, 67 yards, 4:47.

Fourth quarter

SDG – Don Woods 6-yard run (Dennis Partee kick), 12:06. Tied 14–14. Drive: 11 plays, 64 yards, 5:29.
KAN – Woody Green 69-yard pass from Len Dawson (Jan Stenerud kick), 10:24. Chiefs 21–14. Drive: 3 plays, 90 yards, 1:42.
KAN – Jan Stenerud 23-yard field goal, 0:58. Chiefs 24–14. Drive: 12 plays, 62 yards, 5:31.

Top passers

KAN – Len Dawson – 4/4, 84 yards, TD
SDG – Dan Fouts – 14/27, 221 yards, TD, 2 INT

Top rushers

KAN – Woody Green – 23 rushes, 146 yards, TD
SDG – Don Woods – 22 rushes, 154 yards, TD

Top receivers

KAN – Woody Green – 4 receptions, 98 yards, TD
SDG – Gary Garrison – 6 receptions, 92 yards, TD

Week 8: vs. Cleveland Browns

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

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Browns	14	7	0	14	35
Chargers	0	7	12	17	36

at San Diego Stadium, San Diego, California

Date: November 3
Game time: 1:00 p.m. PST
Game weather: 61 °F (16.1 °C), relative humidity 65%, wind 7 mph
Game attendance: 35,683
Referee: Fred Swearingen
TV announcers (NBC): Ross Porter and Willie Davis
Box score

Game information

First quarter

CLE – Steve Holden 6-yard pass from Brian Sipe (Don Cockroft kick), 9:20. Browns 7–0. Drive: 11 plays, 64 yards, 5:40.
CLE – Greg Pruitt 3-yard run (Don Cockroft kick), 0:43. Browns 14–0. Drive: 2 plays, 11 yards, 0:38.

Second quarter

SDG – Bo Matthews 1-yard run (Dennis Partee kick), 10:57. Browns 14–7. Drive: 10 plays, 69 yards, 4:41.
CLE – Brian Sipe 1-yard run (Don Cockroft kick), 5:19. Browns 21–7. Drive: 12 plays, 57 yards, 5:38.

Third quarter

SDG – Don Woods 43-yard pass from Dan Fouts (kick blocked), 11:05. Browns 21–13. Drive: 2 plays, 54 yards, 0:59.
SDG – Glen Bonner 1-yard pass from Dan Fouts (kick failed), 6:42. Browns 21–19. Drive: 9 plays, 53 yards, 4:23.

Fourth quarter

CLE – Hugh McKinnis 6-yard run (Don Cockroft kick), 14:56. Browns 28–19. Drive: 4 plays, 18 yards, 1:11.
SDG – Harrison Davis 70-yard pass from Dan Fouts (Dennis Partee kick), 14:27. Browns 28–26. Drive: 3 plays, 70 yards, 0:29.
CLE – Brian Sipe 1-yard run (Don Cockroft kick), 9:47. Browns 35–26. Drive: 8 plays, 59 yards, 4:40.
SDG – Don Woods 75-yard pass from Dan Fouts (Dennis Partee kick), 9:26. Browns 35–33. Drive: 1 play, 75 yards, 0:21.
SDG – Ray Wersching 40-yard field goal, 0:55. Chargers 36–35. Drive: 4 plays, 8 yards, 2:23.

Top passers

CLE – Brian Sipe – 16/23, 186 yards, TD, INT
SDG – Dan Fouts – 12/21, 333 yards, 4 TD, INT

Top rushers

CLE – Hugh McKinnis – 11 rushes, 48 yards, TD
SDG – Don Woods – 18 rushes, 51 yards

Top receivers

CLE – Steve Holden – 6 receptions, 85 yards, TD
SDG – Don Woods – 3 receptions, 119 yards, 2 TD

Week 9: at Kansas City Chiefs

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

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Chargers	0	7	0	7	14
Chiefs	0	0	0	7	7

at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri

Date: November 10
Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST
Game weather: 48 °F (8.9 °C), relative humidity 98%, wind 9 mph
Game attendance: 48,551
Referee: Tommy Bell
TV announcers (NBC): Ross Porter and Willie Davis
Box score

Game information

First quarter

No scoring plays.

Second quarter

SDG – Bo Matthews 1-yard run (Dennis Partee kick), 6:19. Chargers 7–0. Drive: 14 plays, 52 yards, 7:27.

Third quarter

No scoring plays.

Fourth quarter

KAN – Larry Brunson 84-yard pass from Len Dawson (Jan Stenerud kick), 10:03. Tied 7–7. Drive: 3 plays, 87 yards, 0:54.
SDG – Gary Garrison 71-yard pass from Jesse Freitas (Dennis Partee kick), 9:02. Chargers 14–7. Drive: 2 plays, 73 yards, 0:50.

Top passers

SDG – Jesse Freitas – 6/15, 120 yards, TD, 2 INT
KAN – Len Dawson – 26/44, 381 yards, TD, INT

Top rushers

SDG – Bo Matthews – 21 rushes, 73 yards, TD
KAN – Woody Green – 19 rushes, 54 yards

Top receivers

SDG – Gary Garrison – 2 receptions, 84 yards, TD
KAN – Larry Brunson – 8 receptions, 193 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	3	0	7	10
Raiders	7	0	7	3	17

at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Oakland, California

Date: November 17
Game time: 1:00 p.m. PST
Game weather: 58 °F (14.4 °C), relative humidity 71%, wind 9 mph
Game attendance: 50,178
Referee: Pat Haggerty
TV announcers (NBC): Ross Porter and Willie Davis
Box score

Game information

First quarter

OAK – Cliff Branch 60-yard pass from Ken Stabler (George Blanda kick), 7:06. Raiders 7–0. Drive: 1 play, 60 yards, 0:11.

Second quarter

SDG – Ray Wersching 42-yard field goal, 4:43. Raiders 7–3. Drive: 12 plays, 66 yards, 6:08.

Third quarter

OAK – Pete Banaszak 1-yard run (George Blanda kick), 1:37. Raiders 14–3. Drive: 13 plays, 62 yards, 6:04.

Fourth quarter

OAK – George Blanda 28-yard field goal, 6:29. Raiders 17–3. Drive: 13 plays, 62 yards, 6:42.
SDG – Don Woods 1-yard run (Dennis Partee kick), 5:17. Raiders 17–10. Drive: 4 plays, 79 yards, 1:12.

Top passers

SDG – Dan Fouts – 9/21, 159 yards
OAK – Ken Stabler – 16/32, 240 yards, TD, INT

Top rushers

SDG – Don Woods – 27 rushes, 117 yards, TD
OAK – Pete Banaszak – 12 rushes, 39 yards, TD

Top receivers

SDG – Gary Garrison – 2 receptions, 73 yards
OAK – Cliff Branch – 7 receptions, 125 yards, TD

Week 11: at Green Bay Packers

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

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Chargers	0	0	0	0	0
Packers	3	10	14	7	34

at Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisconsin

Date: November 24
Game time: 1:00 p.m. CST
Game weather: 35 °F (1.7 °C), relative humidity 77%, wind 15 mph, wind chill 25
Game attendance: 56,267
TV announcers (NBC): Ross Porter and Willie Davis
Box score

Game information

First quarter

GB – Chester Marcol 22-yard field goal. Packers 3–0.

Second quarter

GB – Chester Marcol 27-yard field goal. Packers 6–0.
GB – Eric Torkelson 29-yard fumble return (Chester Marcol kick). Packers 13–0.

Third quarter

GB – Ken Ellis 38-yard interception return (Chester Marcol kick). Packers 20–0.
GB – MacArthur Lane 24-yard pass from John Hadl (Chester Marcol kick). Packers 27–0.

Fourth quarter

GB – Steve Odom 56-yard pass from Jack Concannon (Chester Marcol kick). Packers 34–0.

Top passers

SDG – Jesse Freitas – 8/23, 195 yards, INT
GB – John Hadl – 14/22, 157 yards, TD, INT

Top rushers

SDG – Don Woods – 14 rushes, 50 yards
GB – John Brockington – 13 rushes, 47 yards

Top receivers

SDG – Gary Garrison – 2 receptions, 32 yards
GB – Jon Staggers – 6 receptions, 80 yards

Week 12: at New York Jets

Week Twelve: San Diego Chargers at New York Jets – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Chargers	0	0	0	14	14
Jets	10	14	3	0	27

at Shea Stadium, New York, New York

Date: December 1
Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
Game weather: 37 °F (2.8 °C), relative humidity 70%, wind 19 mph, wind chill 26
Game attendance: 44,888
Referee: Cal Lepore
TV announcers (NBC): Charlie Jones and Sam DeLuca
Box score

Game information

First quarter

NYJ – John Riggins 4-yard pass from Joe Namath (Pat Leahy kick), 11:27. Jets 7–0. Drive: 6 plays, 61 yards, 3:33.
NYJ – Pat Leahy 20-yard field goal, 7:08. Jets 10–0. Drive: 9 play, 54 yards, 3:03.

Second quarter

NYJ – John Riggins 3-yard run (Pat Leahy kick), 5:37. Jets 17–0. Drive: 8 plays, 72 yards, 4:24.
NYJ – John Riggins 2-yard run (Pat Leahy kick), 0:25. Jets 24–0. Drive: 8 plays, 42 yards, 2:20.

Third quarter

NYJ – Pat Leahy 45-yard field goal, 9:31. Jets 27–0. Drive: 8 plays, 44 yards, 3:24.

Fourth quarter

SDG – Gary Garrison 28-yard pass from Don Woods (Dennis Partee kick), 13:14. Jets 27–7. Drive: 5 plays, 59 yards, 1:46.
SDG – Don Woods 4-yard run (Dennis Partee kick), 0:49. Jets 27–14. Drive: 5 plays, 16 yards, 1:05.

Top passers

SDG – Jesse Freitas – 10/23, 147 yards, 2 INT
NYJ – Joe Namath – 17/27, 254 yards, TD

Top rushers

SDG – Don Woods – 25 rushes, 142 yards, TD
NYJ – John Riggins – 18 rushes, 61 yards, 2 TD

Top receivers

SDG – Gary Garrison – 4 receptions, 109 yards, TD
NYJ – Rich Caster – 7 receptions, 137 yards

Week 13: vs. Chicago Bears

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

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Bears	7	0	14	0	21
Chargers	0	7	7	14	28

at San Diego Stadium, San Diego, California

Date: December 8
Game time: 1:00 p.m. PST
Game weather: 60 °F (15.6 °C), relative humidity 47%, wind 6 mph
Game attendance: 33,662
TV announcers (CBS): Dick Stockton and Bart Starr
Box score

Game information

First quarter

CHI – Ken Grandberry 4-yard run (Mirro Roder kick). Bears 7–0.

Second quarter

SDG – Don Woods 21-yard pass from Jesse Freitas (Dennis Partee kick). Tied 7–7.

Third quarter

SDG – Blenda Gay 17-yard fumble return (Dennis Partee kick). Chargers 14–7.
CHI – Perry Williams 3-yard run (Mirro Roder kick). Tied 14–14.
CHI – Wayne Wheeler 19-yard pass from Bobby Douglass (Mirro Roder kick). Bears 21–14.

Fourth quarter

SDG – Harrison Davis 43-yard pass from Jesse Freitas (Dennis Partee kick). Tied 21–21.
SDG – Bo Matthews 1-yard run (Dennis Partee kick). Chargers 28–21.

Top passers

CHI – Bobby Douglass – 14/25, 136 yards, TD, 2 INT
SDG – Jesse Freitas – 9/19, 156 yards, 2 TD, INT

Top rushers

CHI – Hugh McKinnis – 11 rushes, 48 yards, TD
SDG – Don Woods – 26 rushes, 75 yards

Top receivers

CHI – Charlie Wade – 3 receptions, 48 yards
SDG – Harrison Davis – 3 receptions, 86 yards, TD

Week 14: vs. Denver Broncos

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

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

at San Diego Stadium, San Diego, California

Date: December 15
Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
Game weather: 58 °F (14.4 °C), relative humidity 48%, wind 7 mph
Game attendance: 36,571
Referee: Ben Dreith
TV announcers (NBC): Ross Porter and Willie Davis
Box score

Game information

First quarter

SDG – Don Woods 6-yard run (Dennis Partee kick), 6:23. Chargers 7–0. Drive: 10 plays, 80 yards, 3:47.

Second quarter

SDG – Bo Matthews 1-yard run (Dennis Partee kick), 14:58. Chargers 14–0. Drive: 9 plays, 33 yards, 4:05.

Third quarter

No scoring plays.

Fourth quarter

SDG – Ray Wersching 37-yard field goal, 4:09. Chargers 17–0. Drive: 12 plays, 66 yards, 7:11.

Top passers

DEN – Steve Ramsey – 8/13, 94 yards, 2 INT
SDG – Jesse Freitas – 16/29, 201 yards, 2 INT

Top rushers

DEN – Otis Armstrong – 18 rushes, 142 yards
SDG – Don Woods – 24 rushes, 105 yards, TD

Top receivers

DEN – Riley Odoms – 5 receptions, 66 yards
SDG – Harrison Davis – 5 receptions, 77 yards

Awards

Only one Charger was named to the 1975 Pro Bowl, with tackle Russ Washington a starter on the AFC squad;^[4] none were selected for the AP All-Pro first or second teams, though Washington was named the best in his Conference.^[5] Woods won the AP Offensive Rookie of the Year with 52 of the 78 votes available.^[6]

References

^ Gridiron Uniform Database: San Diego Chargers
^ SportsLogos.net: San Diego Chargers
^ "2021 Los Angeles Chargers Media Guide". chargers.com.
^ "1974 NFL Pro Bowlers". pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved February 19, 2025.
^ "1974 NFL All-Pros". pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved February 19, 2025.
^ "1974 awards voting". pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved February 19, 2025.

[1] Gridiron Uniform Database: San Diego Chargers

[2] SportsLogos.net: San Diego Chargers

[3] "2021 Los Angeles Chargers Media Guide". chargers.com.

[4] "1974 NFL Pro Bowlers". pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved February 19, 2025.

[5] "1974 NFL All-Pros". pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved February 19, 2025.

[6] "1974 awards voting". pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved February 19, 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 1973 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