# 1971 San Diego Chargers season

The 1971 San Diego Chargers season was the franchise's second season in the National Football League (NFL), and its 12th overall. The team improved on their 5–6–3 record in 1970. It was Harland Svare's first season as the team's head coach. After a 1–4 start, the Chargers would slightly improve, winning 3 of their next 4 games. However, they would lose 3 of their final 5 games en route to a 6–8 finish. The only bright spot was quarterback John Hadl who completed 233 passes out of 431 attempts for 3,075 yards and 21 touchdowns and won the NFL Man of the Year award as well as leading the league in both passing yards and touchdown passes.

## Offseason
### NFL draft

1971 San Diego Chargers draft :
| Round | Pick | Player | Position | College |
| 1 | 13 | Leon Burns | Running back | Long Beach State |
| 3 | 65 | Mike Montgomery | Running back | Kansas State |
| 5 | 115 | Bryant Salter | Safety | Pittsburgh |
| 5 | 117 | Ray White | Linebacker | Syracuse |
| 5 | 119 | Phil Asack | Defensive end | Duke |
| 6 | 143 | Jacob Mayes | Running back | Tennessee State |
| 7 | 169 | Chuck Dicus | Wide receiver | Arkansas |
| 8 | 195 | Leon Van Gorkum | Defensive end | San Diego State |
| 9 | 221 | John Tanner | Linebacker | Tennessee Tech |
| 10 | 247 | Gary Nowak | Linebacker | Michigan State |
| 11 | 273 | Don Pinson | Defensive back | Tennessee State |
| 12 | 299 | Wes Garnett | Wide receiver | Utah State |
| 13 | 325 | Sammy Milner | Wide receiver | Mississippi State |
| 14 | 351 | Edward O'Daniel | Defensive end | Texas Southern |
| 15 | 377 | Eric Humston | Linebacker | Muskingum |
| 16 | 403 | Ed Foote | Center | Hawaii |
| 17 | 429 | Chip Kell | Center | Tennessee |
| Made roster * Made at least one Pro Bowl during career ||||||

## Regular season
### Schedule

| Week | Date | Opponent | Result | Record | Venue | Attendance | Recap |
| 1 | September 19 | Kansas City Chiefs | W 21–14 | 1–0 | San Diego Stadium | 54,061 | Recap |
| 2 | September 26 | Oakland Raiders | L 0–34 | 1–1 | San Diego Stadium | 54,084 | Recap |
| 3 | October 3 | at Pittsburgh Steelers | L 17–21 | 1–2 | Three Rivers Stadium | 44,339 | Recap |
| 4 | October 10 | at Kansas City Chiefs | L 10–31 | 1–3 | Municipal Stadium | 50,514 | Recap |
| 5 | October 17 | at Denver Broncos | L 16–20 | 1–4 | Mile High Stadium | 51,200 | Recap |
| 6 | October 23 | Buffalo Bills | W 20–3 | 2–4 | San Diego Stadium | 49,261 | Recap |
| 7 | October 31 | New York Jets | W 49–21 | 3–4 | San Diego Stadium | 44,786 | Recap |
| 8 | November 7 | at New York Giants | L 17–35 | 3–5 | Yankee Stadium | 62,905 | Recap |
| 9 | November 15 | St. Louis Cardinals | W 20–17 | 4–5 | San Diego Stadium | 46,486 | Recap |
| 10 | November 21 | at Oakland Raiders | L 33–34 | 4–6 | Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum | 54,681 | Recap |
| 11 | November 28 | at Cincinnati Bengals | L 0–31 | 4–7 | Riverfront Stadium | 59,580 | Recap |
| 12 | December 5 | Minnesota Vikings | W 30–14 | 5–7 | San Diego Stadium | 54,505 | Recap |
| 13 | December 12 | Denver Broncos | W 45–17 | 6–7 | San Diego Stadium | 44,347 | Recap |
| 14 | December 19 | at Houston Oilers | L 33–49 | 6–8 | Houston Astrodome | 35,959 | Recap |
Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.

### Game summaries
#### Week 1: vs. Kansas City Chiefs

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Chiefs | 7 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 14 |
| Chargers | 0 | 0 | 7 | 14 | 21 |
at San Diego Stadium, San Diego, California
* Date: September 19
* Game time: 1:00 p.m. PDT
* Game weather: 73 °F (22.8 °C), relative humidity 74%, wind 12 mph
* Game attendance: 54,061
* Referee: Ben Dreith
* Box score
Game information :
First quarter
KAN – Warren McVea 6-yard run (Jan Stenerud kick), 8:29. Chiefs 7–0. Drive: 5 plays, 31 yards, 1:36.
Second quarter
KAN – Ed Podolak 1-yard run (Jan Stenerud kick), 14:10. Chiefs 14–0. Drive: 10 plays, 80 yards, 5:12.
Third quarter
SDG – Mike Montgomery 39-yard pass from John Hadl (Dennis Partee kick), 4:04. Chiefs 14–7. Drive: 5 plays, 81 yards, 2:56.
Fourth quarter
SDG – Jerry LeVias 37-yard pass from John Hadl (Dennis Partee kick), 9:34. Tied 14–14. Drive: 5 plays, 67 yards, 1:01.
SDG – Mike Garrett 26-yard run (Dennis Partee kick), 5:20. Chargers 21–14. Drive: 7 plays, 73 yards, 2:17.
Top passers
KAN – Len Dawson – 11/22, 152 yards, 2 INT
SDG – John Hadl – 17/37, 260 yards, 2 TD, INT
Top rushers
KAN – Ed Podolak – 17 rushes, 65 yards, TD
SDG – Mike Garrett – 15 rushes, 59 yards, TD
Top receivers
KAN – Otis Taylor – 3 receptions, 76 yards
SDG – Gary Garrison – 4 receptions, 72 yards :

#### Week 2: vs. Oakland Raiders

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Raiders | 3 | 3 | 14 | 14 | 34 |
| Chargers | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
at San Diego Stadium, San Diego, California
* Date: September 26
* Game time: 1:00 p.m. PDT
* Game weather: 68 °F (20.0 °C), relative humidity 57%, wind 11 mph
* Game attendance: 54,084
* Referee: Jack Vest
* Box score
Game information :
First quarter
OAK – George Blanda 37-yard field goal, 4:26. Raiders 3–0. Drive: 4 plays, 7 yards, 1:29.
Second quarter
OAK – George Blanda 42-yard field goal, 5:01. Raiders 6–0. Drive: 7 plays, 27 yards, 2:37.
Third quarter
OAK – Fred Biletnikoff 36-yard pass from Daryle Lamonica (George Blanda kick), 7:55. Raiders 13–0. Drive: 8 plays, 74 yards, 4:48.
OAK – Clarence Davis 2-yard run (George Blanda kick), 0:10. Raiders 20–0. Drive: 7 plays, 57 yards, 3:44.
Fourth quarter
OAK – Fred Biletnikoff 13-yard pass from Daryle Lamonica (George Blanda kick), 4:27. Raiders 27–0. Drive: 9 plays, 84 yards, 4:32.
OAK – Ken Stabler 1-yard run (George Blanda kick), 0:21. Raiders 34–0. Drive: 5 plays, 52 yards, 2:10.
Top passers
OAK – Daryle Lamonica – 11/17, 162 yards, 2 TD
SDG – John Hadl – 14/29, 174 yards, 5 INT
Top rushers
OAK – Clarence Davis – 9 rushes, 75 yards, TD
SDG – Jeff Queen – 9 rushes, 31 yards
Top receivers
OAK – Fred Biletnikoff – 5 receptions, 93 yards, 2 TD
SDG – Billy Parks – 5 receptions, 70 yards :

#### Week 3: at Pittsburgh Steelers

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Chargers | 3 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 17 |
| Steelers | 7 | 0 | 7 | 7 | 21 |
at Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
* Date: October 3
* Game time: 1:10 p.m. EDT
* Game weather: 68 °F (20.0 °C), relative humidity 82%, wind 7 mph
* Game attendance: 44,339
* Referee: Jim Tunney
* Box score
Game information :
First quarter
SDG – Dennis Partee 21-yard field goal, 6:26. Chargers 3–0. Drive: 12 plays, 54 yards.
PIT – John Fuqua 5-yard run (Roy Gerela kick), 4:15. Steelers 7–3. Drive: 1 play, 5 yards.
Second quarter
SDG – Billy Parks 16-yard pass from John Hadl (Dennis Partee kick), 4:19. Chargers 10–7. Drive: 12 plays, 80 yards, 7:02.
Third quarter
PIT – John Fuqua 1-yard run (Roy Gerela kick), 8:47. Steelers 14–10. Drive: 4 plays, 22 yards, 1:31.
SDG – Mike Garrett 4-yard run (Dennis Partee kick), 2:09. Chargers 17–14. Drive: 11 plays, 80 yards, 6:38.
Fourth quarter
PIT – Terry Bradshaw 5-yard run (Roy Gerela kick), 12:02. Steelers 21–17. Drive: 13 plays, 82 yards, 5:07.
Top passers
SDG – John Hadl – 25/36, 283 yards, TD, 2 INT
PIT – Terry Bradshaw – 15/24, 175 yards
Top rushers
SDG – Mike Garrett – 12 rushes, 72 yards, TD
PIT – John Fuqua – 15 rushes, 60 yards, 2 TD
Top receivers
SDG – Billy Parks – 8 receptions, 111 yards, TD
PIT – John Fuqua – 5 receptions, 53 yards :

#### Week 4: at Kansas City Chiefs

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Chargers | 3 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| Chiefs | 0 | 10 | 7 | 14 | 31 |
at Municipal Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri
* Date: October 10
* Game time: 1:05 p.m. CDT
* Game weather: 53 °F (11.7 °C), relative humidity 53%, wind 10 mph
* Game attendance: 50,514
* Referee: Jack Reader
* Box score
Game information :
First quarter
SDG – Dennis Partee 43-yard field goal, 9:58. Chargers 3–0. Drive: 6 plays, 29 yards.
Second quarter
SDG – Mike Garrett 3-yard pass from John Hadl (Dennis Partee kick), 14:15. Chargers 10–0. Drive: 9 plays, 71 yards.
KAN – Jim Otis 3-yard pass from Len Dawson (Jan Stenerud kick), 6:24. Chargers 10–7. Drive: 6 plays, 58 yards.
KAN – Jan Stenerud 29-yard field goal, 1:13. Tied 10–10. Drive: 9 plays, 49 yards, 1:52.
Third quarter
KAN – Otis Taylor 3-yard pass from Len Dawson (Jan Stenerud kick), 4:23. Chargers 17–10. Drive: 7 plays, 61 yards, 3:23.
Fourth quarter
KAN – Warren McVea 15-yard run (Jan Stenerud kick), 11:15. Chargers 24–10. Drive: 7 plays, 60 yards, 3:24.
KAN – Ed Podolak 7-yard run (Jan Stenerud kick), 0:16. Chargers 31–10. Drive: 13 plays, 70 yards, 8:28.
Top passers
SDG – John Hadl – 12/23, 125 yards, TD, 2 INT
KAN – Len Dawson – 16/23, 188 yards, 2 TD
Top rushers
SDG – Mike Garrett – 7 rushes, 44 yards
KAN – Wendell Hayes – 11 rushes, 80 yards
Top receivers
SDG – Billy Parks – 2 receptions, 36 yards SDG – Gary Garrison – 1 reception, 36 yards
KAN – Otis Taylor – 6 receptions, 97 yards, TD :

#### Week 5: at Denver Broncos

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Chargers | 3 | 3 | 7 | 3 | 16 |
| Broncos | 7 | 13 | 0 | 0 | 20 |
at Mile High Stadium, Denver, Colorado
* Date: October 17
* Game time: 2:00 p.m. MDT
* Game weather: 50 °F (10.0 °C), relative humidity 90%, wind 9 mph
* Game attendance: 51,200
* Referee: Dick Jorgensen
* Box score
Game information :
First quarter
DEN – Bobby Anderson 1-yard run (Jim Turner kick), 11:58. Broncos 7–0. Drive: 2 plays, 3 yards.
SDG – Dennis Partee 41-yard field goal, 9:15. Broncos 7–3. Drive: 6 plays, 39 yards, 2:43.
Second quarter
DEN – Jim Turner 49-yard field goal, 14:55. Broncos 10–3. Drive: 9 plays, 38 yards, 5:07.
SDG – Dennis Partee 20-yard field goal, 11:20. Broncos 10–6. Drive: 10 plays, 36 yards, 3:35.
DEN – Floyd Little 2-yard run (Jim Turner kick), 3:54. Broncos 17–6. Drive: 12 plays, 83 yards, 7:26.
DEN – Jim Turner 10-yard field goal, 0:18. Broncos 20–6. Drive: 7 plays, 18 yards, 0:39.
Third quarter
SDG – Gary Garrison 21-yard pass from John Hadl (Dennis Partee kick), 0:53. Broncos 20–13. Drive: 4 plays, 77 yards.
Fourth quarter
SDG – Dennis Partee 35-yard field goal, 13:48. Broncos 20–16. Drive: 5 plays, -2 yards, 1:19.
Top passers
SDG – John Hadl – 18/44, 236 yards, TD, INT
DEN – Don Horn – 7/17, 71 yards, INT
Top rushers
SDG – Billy Parks – 1 rush, 54 yards
DEN – Bobby Anderson – 25 rushes, 106 yards, TD
Top receivers
SDG – Gary Garrison – 4 receptions, 105 yards, TD
DEN – Bobby Anderson – 3 receptions, 43 yards :

#### Week 6: vs. Buffalo Bills

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Bills | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| Chargers | 7 | 3 | 3 | 7 | 20 |
at San Diego Stadium, San Diego, California
* Date: October 23
* Game time: 6:00 p.m. PDT
* Game weather: 64 °F (17.8 °C), relative humidity 78%, wind 7 mph
* Game attendance: 49,261
* Referee: Bernie Ulman
* Box score
Game information :
First quarter
SDG – Billy Parks 56-yard pass from John Hadl (Dennis Partee kick), 9:51. Chargers 7–0. Drive: 7 plays, 80 yards, 2:37.
Second quarter
SDG – Dennis Partee 9-yard field goal, 4:13. Chargers 10–0. Drive: 15 plays, 70 yards, 7:28.
Third quarter
BUF – Grant Guthrie 36-yard field goal, 9:31. Chargers 10–3. Drive: 4 plays, 5 yards, 1:27.
SDG – Dennis Partee 10-yard field goal, 6:31. Chargers 13–3. Drive: 5 plays, 57 yards, 3:00.
Fourth quarter
SDG – Billy Parks 12-yard pass from John Hadl (Dennis Partee kick), 2:27. Chargers 20–3. Drive: 5 plays, 56 yards, 3:14.
Top passers
BUF – James Harris – 4/8, 36 yards, INT
SDG – John Hadl – 14/28, 215 yards, 2 TD, INT
Top rushers
BUF – O. J. Simpson – 18 rushes, 106 yards
SDG – Mike Garrett – 19 rushes, 94 yards
Top receivers
BUF – Ike Hill – 2 receptions, 20 yards
SDG – Gary Garrison – 4 receptions, 106 yards :

#### Week 7: vs. New York Jets

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Jets | 7 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 21 |
| Chargers | 0 | 21 | 7 | 21 | 49 |
at San Diego Stadium, San Diego, California
* Date: October 31
* Game time: 1:00 p.m. PST
* Game weather: 57 °F (13.9 °C), relative humidity 54%, wind 10 mph
* Game attendance: 44,786
* Referee: Fred Wyant
* Box score
Game information :
First quarter
NYJ – Rich Caster 23-yard pass from Bob Davis (Bobby Howfield kick), 6:59. Jets 7–0. Drive: 2 plays, 35 yards, 0:57.
Second quarter
SDG – John Hadl 2-yard run (Dennis Partee kick), 10:32. Tied 7–7. Drive: 11 plays, 93 yards, 6:09.
NYJ – John Riggins 31-yard pass from Bob Davis (Bobby Howfield kick), 5:59. Jets 14–7. Drive: 8 plays, 65 yards, 4:33.
SDG – Mike Montgomery 37-yard pass from John Hadl (Dennis Partee kick), 2:45. Tied 14–14. Drive: 2 plays, 75 yards, 0:32.
SDG – Billy Parks 17-yard pass from John Hadl (Dennis Partee kick), 0:26. Chargers 21–14. Drive: 4 plays, 34 yards, 0:24.
Third quarter
NYJ – Emerson Boozer 6-yard run (Ralph Baker pass from Bob Davis), 12:52. Tied 21–21. Drive: 3 plays, 18 yards, 1:35.
SDG – Gary Garrison 49-yard pass from John Hadl (Dennis Partee kick), 9:44. Chargers 28–21. Drive: 6 plays, 80 yards, 3:08.
Fourth quarter
SDG – Mike Montgomery 13-yard run (Dennis Partee kick), 10:57. Chargers 35–21. Drive: 5 plays, 64 yards, 1:52.
SDG – Pettis Norman 21-yard pass from John Hadl (Dennis Partee kick), 9:10. Chargers 42–21. Drive: 2 plays, 21 yards, 0:17.
SDG – Chris Fletcher 36-yard interception return (Dennis Partee kick), 3:30. Chargers 49–21.
Top passers
NYJ – Bob Davis – 8/18, 83 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT
SDG – John Hadl – 19/27, 358 yards, 4 TD, INT
Top rushers
NYJ – John Riggins – 10 rushes, 63 yards
SDG – Mike Garrett – 9 rushes, 55 yards
Top receivers
NYJ – Rich Caster – 4 receptions, 53 yards, TD
SDG – Gary Garrison – 6 receptions, 162 yards, TD :

#### Week 8: at New York Giants

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Chargers | 0 | 3 | 14 | 0 | 17 |
| Giants | 7 | 14 | 0 | 14 | 35 |
at Yankee Stadium, New York, New York
* Date: November 7
* Game time: 1:07 p.m. EST
* Game weather: 53 °F (11.7 °C), relative humidity 69%, wind 19 mph
* Game attendance: 62,905
* Referee: Norm Schachter
* Box score
Game information :
First quarter
NYG – Ron Johnson 1-yard run (Pete Gogolak kick), 0:47. Giants 7–0. Drive: 13 plays, 65 yards, 8:09.
Second quarter
NYG – Charlie Evans 9-yard run (Pete Gogolak kick), 9:54. Giants 14–0. Drive: 6 plays, 63 yards, 3:44.
NYG – Rich Kotite 43-yard pass from Fran Tarkenton (Pete Gogolak kick), 1:10. Giants 21–0. Drive: 4 plays, 75 yards, 1:34.
SDG – Dennis Partee 28-yard field goal, 0:02. Giants 21–3. Drive: 5 plays, 60 yards, 1:08.
Third quarter
SDG – Gary Garrison 7-yard pass from John Hadl (Dennis Partee kick), 7:14. Giants 21–10. Drive: 13 plays, 74 yards, 6:31.
SDG – Gary Garrison 21-yard pass from Mike Montgomery (Dennis Partee kick), 4:02. Giants 21–17. Drive: 5 plays, 58 yards, 1:10.
Fourth quarter
NYG – Charlie Evans 1-yard run (Pete Gogolak kick), 14:58. Giants 28–17. Drive: 8 plays, 84 yards, 4:04.
NYG – Charlie Evans 1-yard run (Pete Gogolak kick), 0:55. Giants 35–17. Drive: 7 plays, 28 yards, 4:24.
Top passers
SDG – John Hadl – 16/31, 194 yards, TD, 2 INT
NYG – Fran Tarkenton – 16/20, 83 yards, TD
Top rushers
SDG – Mike Garrett – 6 rushes, 45 yards
NYG – Ron Johnson – 12 rushes, 67 yards, TD
Top receivers
SDG – Jeff Queen – 5 receptions, 85 yards
NYG – Coleman Zeno – 4 receptions, 90 yards :

#### Week 9: vs. St. Louis Cardinals

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Cardinals | 7 | 3 | 0 | 7 | 17 |
| Chargers | 0 | 3 | 7 | 10 | 20 |
at San Diego Stadium, San Diego, California
* Date: November 15
* Game time: 6:00 p.m. PST
* Game weather: 57 °F (13.9 °C), relative humidity 66%, wind 9 mph
* Game attendance: 46,486
* Referee: John McDonough
* Box score
Game information :
First quarter
STL – Jim McFarland 3-yard pass from Jim Hart (Jim Bakken kick), 2:49. Cardinals 7–0. Drive: 10 plays, 62 yards, 4:36.
Second quarter
SDG – Dennis Partee 25-yard field goal, 13:36. Cardinals 7–3. Drive: 9 plays, 67 yards, 4:11.
STL – Jim Bakken 13-yard field goal, 0:30. Cardinals 10–3. Drive: 14 plays, 72 yards, 4:28.
Third quarter
SDG – Jeff Queen 4-yard run (Dennis Partee kick), 5:32. Tied 10–10. Drive: 10 plays, 72 yards, 4:52.
Fourth quarter
SDG – Jeff Queen 4-yard pass from John Hadl (Dennis Partee kick), 3:16. Chargers 17–10. Drive: 9 plays, 68 yards, 5:36.
STL – Cid Edwards 1-yard run (Jim Bakken kick), 0:17. Tied 17–17. Drive: 5 plays, 33 yards, 1:08.
SDG – Dennis Partee 45-yard field goal, 0:00. Chargers 20–17. Drive: 3 plays, 16 yards, 0:16.
Top passers
STL – Jim Hart – 17/35, 214 yards, TD, 3 INT
SDG – John Hadl – 20/28, 216 yards, TD, INT
Top rushers
STL – MacArthur Lane – 18 rushes, 82 yards
SDG – Mike Montgomery – 17 rushes, 98 yards
Top receivers
STL – John Gilliam – 5 receptions, 76 yards
SDG – Mike Montgomery – 6 receptions, 77 yards :

#### Week 10: at Oakland Raiders

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Chargers | 10 | 14 | 0 | 9 | 33 |
| Raiders | 3 | 7 | 14 | 10 | 34 |
at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Oakland, California
* Date: November 21
* Game time: 1:00 p.m. PST
* Game weather: 50 °F (10.0 °C), relative humidity 65%, wind 7 mph
* Game attendance: 54,681
* Referee: Jim Tunney
* Box score
Game information :
First quarter
OAK – George Blanda 34-yard field goal, 7:42. Raiders 3–0. Drive: 14 plays, 51 yards, 7:18.
SDG – Dennis Partee 14-yard field goal, 2:01. Tied 3–3. Drive: 12 plays, 65 yards, 5:41.
SDG – Jeff Queen 2-yard run (Dennis Partee kick), 0:09. Chargers 10–3. Drive: 4 plays, 14 yards, 1:39.
Second quarter
SDG – Mike Garrett 11-yard run (Dennis Partee kick), 5:43. Chargers 17–3. Drive: 9 plays, 80 yards, 3:53.
OAK – Raymond Chester 16-yard pass from Daryle Lamonica (George Blanda kick), 4:48. Chargers 17–10. Drive: 3 plays, 61 yards, 0:55.
SDG – Mike Garrett 18-yard pass from John Hadl (Dennis Partee kick), 1:10. Chargers 24–10. Drive: 7 plays, 77 yards, 3:38.
Third quarter
OAK – Raymond Chester 13-yard pass from Daryle Lamonica (George Blanda kick), 11:37. Chargers 24–17. Drive: 5 plays, 46 yards, 2:02.
OAK – Pete Banaszak 2-yard run (George Blanda kick), 2:10. Tied 24–24. Drive: 9 plays, 68 yards, 4:52.
Fourth quarter
OAK – George Blanda 40-yard field goal, 11:05. Raiders 27–24. Drive: 9 plays, 28 yards, 3:55.
OAK – Rod Sherman 32-yard pass from Daryle Lamonica (George Blanda kick), 6:49. Raiders 34–24. Drive: 6 plays, 64 yards, 3:29.
SDG – Walker Gillette 15-yard pass from John Hadl (Dennis Partee kick), 3:08. Raiders 34–31. Drive: 10 plays, 85 yards, 3:30.
SDG – Safety, Ray White tackled Jerry DePoyster in end zone, 0:00. Raiders 34–33.
Top passers
SDG – John Hadl – 20/36, 321 yards, 2 TD, INT
OAK – Daryle Lamonica – 16/26, 190 yards, 3 TD
Top rushers
SDG – Mike Garrett – 13 rushes, 63 yards, TD
OAK – Pete Banaszak – 10 rushes, 50 yards, TD
Top receivers
SDG – Mike Garrett – 4 receptions, 81 yards, TD
OAK – Fred Biletnikoff – 7 receptions, 80 yards :

#### Week 11: at Cincinnati Bengals

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Chargers | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Bengals | 7 | 14 | 7 | 3 | 31 |
at Riverfront Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio
* Date: November 28
* Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
* Game weather: 36 °F (2.2 °C), relative humidity 80%, wind 10 mph, wind chill 29
* Game attendance: 59,580
* Referee: Bob Frederic
* Box score
Game information :
First quarter
CIN – Fred Willis 2-yard run (Horst Muhlmann kick), 5:41. Bengals 7–0. Drive: 11 plays, 80 yards, 4:22.
Second quarter
CIN – Bob Trumpy 10-yard pass from Virgil Carter (Horst Muhlmann kick), 11:57. Bengals 17–0. Drive: 8 plays, 73 yards, 3:05.
CIN – Al Beauchamp 18-yard interception return (Horst Muhlmann kick), 3:42. Bengals 21–0.
Third quarter
CIN – Fred Willis 3-yard run (Horst Muhlmann kick), 1:59. Bengals 28–0. Drive: 17 plays, 86 yards, 9:21.
Fourth quarter
CIN – Horst Muhlmann 40-yard field goal, 13:06. Bengals 31–0. Drive: 6 plays, 19 yards, 2:22.
Top passers
SDG – John Hadl – 5/18, 49 yards, 4 INT
CIN – Virgil Carter – 19/24, 174 yards, TD, INT
Top rushers
SDG – Mike Montgomery – 7 rushes, 30 yards
CIN – Fred Willis – 2 rushes, 90 yards, 2 TD
Top receivers
SDG – Pettis Norman – 1 reception, 28 yards
CIN – Bruce Coslet – 5 receptions, 62 yards :

#### Week 12: vs. Minnesota Vikings

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Vikings | 7 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 14 |
| Chargers | 7 | 3 | 0 | 20 | 30 |
at San Diego Stadium, San Diego, California
* Date: December 5
* Game time: 1:00 p.m. PST
* Game weather: 55 °F (12.8 °C), relative humidity 45%, wind 8 mph
* Game attendance: 54,505
* Referee: Jack Reader
* Box score
Game information :
First quarter
SDG – Gary Garrison 5-yard pass from John Hadl (Dennis Partee kick), 7:46. Chargers 7–0. Drive: 13 plays, 71 yards, 7:14.
MIN – Oscar Reed 10-yard run (Fred Cox kick), 1:56. Tied 7–7. Drive: 11 plays, 64 yards, 5:50.
Second quarter
SDG – Dennis Partee 12-yard field goal, 8:57. Chargers 10–7. Drive: 10 plays, 45 yards, 4:37.
MIN – Clint Jones 1-yard run (Fred Cox kick), 6:31. Vikings 14–10. Drive: 5 plays, 78 yards, 2:26.
Third quarter
No scoring plays.
Fourth quarter
SDG – Mike Garrett 5-yard pass from John Hadl (Dennis Partee kick), 13:14. Chargers 17–14. Drive: 7 plays, 63 yards, 2:52.
SDG – Dennis Partee 43-yard field goal, 2:35. Chargers 20–14. Drive: 5 plays, 30 yards, 2:51.
SDG – Dennis Partee 22-yard field goal, 1:27. Chargers 23–14. Drive: 4 plays, 8 yards, 0:39.
SDG – Pete Barnes 36-yard interception return (Dennis Partee kick), 0:58. Chargers 30–14.
Top passers
MIN – Bob Lee – 8/20, 122 yards, INT
SDG – John Hadl – 20/29, 165 yards, 2 TD, INT
Top rushers
MIN – Clint Jones – 26 rushes, 96 yards, TD
SDG – Jerry LeVias – 2 rushes, 61 yards
Top receivers
MIN – Bill Brown – 3 receptions, 61 yards
SDG – Jerry LeVias – 7 receptions, 56 yards :

#### Week 13: vs. Denver Broncos

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Broncos | 0 | 3 | 7 | 7 | 17 |
| Chargers | 7 | 7 | 14 | 17 | 45 |
at San Diego Stadium, San Diego, California
* Date: December 12
* Game time: 1:00 p.m. PST
* Game weather: 51 °F (10.6 °C), relative humidity 52%, wind 8 mph
* Game attendance: 44,347
* Referee: Ben Dreith
* Box score
Game information :
First quarter
SDG – Jeff Queen 9-yard pass from John Hadl (Dennis Partee kick), 2:20. Chargers 7–0. Drive: 3 plays, 45 yards, 1:28.
Second quarter
DEN – Jim Turner 13-yard field goal, 10:13. Chargers 7–3. Drive: 7 plays, 57 yards, 3:53.
SDG – Chuck Dicus 13-yard pass from John Hadl (Dennis Partee kick), 5:08. Chargers 14–3. Drive: 11 plays, 78 yards, 5:05.
Third quarter
SDG – Gary Garrison 77-yard pass from John Hadl (Dennis Partee kick), 13:33. Chargers 21–3. Drive: 2 plays, 72 yards, 1:27.
SDG – Jeff Queen 2-yard pass from John Hadl (Dennis Partee kick), 5:33. Chargers 28–3. Drive: 14 plays, 72 yards, 5:51.
DEN – Floyd Little 12-yard run (Jim Turner kick), 1:01. Chargers 28–10. Drive: 1 play, 24 yards, 0:18.
Fourth quarter
SDG – Dennis Partee 9-yard field goal, 10:15. Chargers 31–10. Drive: 10 plays, 75 yards, 5:46.
DEN – Fran Lynch 40-yard pass from Steve Ramsey (Jim Turner kick), 7:56. Chargers 31–17. Drive: 4 plays, 82 yards, 2:19.
SDG – Mike Garrett 1-yard run (Dennis Partee kick), 4:52. Chargers 38–17. Drive: 4 plays, 80 yards, 3:04.
SDG – Walker Gillette 25-yard pass from Marty Domres (Dennis Partee kick), 1:54. Chargers 45–17. Drive: 6 plays, 60 yards, 1:44.
Top passers
DEN – Steve Ramsey – 10/25, 169 yards, TD, 3 INT
SDG – John Hadl – 21/36, 332 yards, 4 TD
Top rushers
DEN – Floyd Little – 18 rushes, 96 yards, TD
SDG – Mike Garrett – 15 rushes, 62 yards, TD
Top receivers
DEN – Billy Masters – 4 receptions, 43 yards
SDG – Jerry LeVias – 6 receptions, 83 yards :

#### Week 14: at Houston Oilers

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Chargers | 0 | 23 | 7 | 3 | 33 |
| Oilers | 0 | 7 | 28 | 14 | 49 |
at Astrodome, Houston, Texas
* Date: November 28
* Game time: 1:00 p.m. CST
* Game weather: N/A (game played indoors)
* Game attendance: 35,959
* Box score
Game information :
First quarter
No scoring plays.
Second quarter
SDG – Jeff Queen 4-yard run (Dennis Partee kick), 11:57. Chargers 7–0.
SDG – Dennis Partee 50-yard field goal, 11:57. Chargers 10–0.
HOU – Charlie Joiner 14-yard pass from Woody Campbell (Mark Moseley kick), 3:42. Chargers 10–7.
SDG – Jeff Queen 5-yard run (Dennis Partee kick), 11:57. Chargers 17–7.
SDG – Bob Babich 27-yard defensive fumble return (kick failed), 11:57. Chargers 23–7.
Third quarter
HOU – Robert Holmes 1-yard run (Mark Moseley kick), 1:59. Chargers 23–14.
SDG – Leon River 1-yard run (Dennis Partee kick), 1:59. Chargers 30–14.
HOU – Ken Burrough 62-yard pass from Dan Pastorini (Mark Moseley kick), 3:42. Chargers 30–21.
HOU – Ken Houston 35-yard interception return (Mark Moseley kick), 3:42. Chargers 30–28.
HOU – Ken Houston 29-yard interception return (Mark Moseley kick), 3:42. Houston 35–30.
Fourth quarter
SDG – Dennis Partee 20-yard field goal, 11:57. Houston 35–33.
HOU – Robert Holmes 2-yard run (Mark Moseley kick), 1:59. Houston 42–33.
HOU – Bob Atkins 25-yard interception return (Mark Moseley kick), 1:59. Houston 49–33.
Top passers
SDG – John Hadl – 12/29, 147 yards, 3 INT
HOU – Dan Pastorini – 14/22, 212 yards, TD, 3 INT
Top rushers
SDG – Jeff Queen – 13 rushes, 53 yards, 2 TD
HOU – Robert Holmes – 16 rushes, 92 yards, 2 TD
Top receivers
SDG – Jerry LeVias – 5 receptions, 68 yards
HOU – Ken Burrough – 4 receptions, 122 yards, TD :

### Standings

AFC West :
| viewtalkedit | W | L | T | PCT | DIV | CONF | PF | PA | STK |
| Kansas City Chiefs | 10 | 3 | 1 | .769 | 4–1–1 | 8–2–1 | 302 | 208 | W3 |
| Oakland Raiders | 8 | 4 | 2 | .667 | 4–1–1 | 7–3–1 | 344 | 278 | W1 |
| San Diego Chargers | 6 | 8 | 0 | .429 | 2–4 | 4–7 | 311 | 341 | L1 |
| Denver Broncos | 4 | 9 | 1 | .308 | 1–5 | 3–6–1 | 203 | 275 | L2 |
    Note: Tie games were not officially counted in the standings until 1972.