# 1972 San Diego Chargers season

The 1972 San Diego Chargers season was the franchise's third season in the National Football League (NFL), and its 13th overall. The team failed to improve on their 6–8 record in 1971. The Chargers would get off to a poor start, as they were devoured 34–3 in their season opener at San Francisco. After their week 2 win against the Denver Broncos, the Chargers would play to a 17–17 draw with another cross-state rival, the Oakland Raiders. It was San Diego's fourth tie in 3 seasons (they tied 3 times in 1970). Even after they defeated the Baltimore Colts in the week following the tie, the Bolts would stumble the rest of the year, winning only 2 more games en route to a 4–9–1 season.
This squad featured several players like Duane Thomas, Tim Rossovich, Dave Costa and John Mackey who were unwanted by most of the other NFL teams.

## Offseason
### NFL draft

1972 San Diego Chargers draft :
| Round | Pick | Player | Position | College |
| 2 | 36 | Pete Lazetich | Defensive end | Stanford |
| 3 | 61 | Bill McClard | Kicker | Arkansas |
| 5 | 116 | Jim Bishop | Tight end | Tennessee Tech |
| 5 | 130 | Harry Gooden | Defensive end | Alcorn State |
| 6 | 141 | Bruce Ward | Guard | San Diego State |
| 9 | 221 | Fran Schmitz | Defensive tackle | St. Norbert |
| 10 | 246 | Lon Kolstad | Linebacker | Wisconsin–Whitewater |
| 11 | 270 | John Turner | Tight end | Long Beach State |
| 12 | 295 | Sam Key | Linebacker | Elon |
| 13 | 321 | Andy Selfridge | Linebacker | Virginia |
| 14 | 351 | John Van Reenen | Defensive end | Washington State |
| 15 | 376 | Charles Neugent | Defensive back | Tuskegee |
| 16 | 401 | James Shaw | Defensive back | Tulsa |
| 17 | 423 | Oscar Dragon | Running back | Arizona State University |
| 17 | 426 | Bob Tackett | Tackle | Texas at El Paso |
| Made roster * Made at least one Pro Bowl during career ||||||

## Regular season
### Schedule

| Week | Date | Opponent | Result | Record | Venue | Attendance | Recap |
| 1 | September 17 | at San Francisco 49ers | L 3–34 | 0–1 | Candlestick Park | 59,438 | Recap |
| 2 | September 24 | Denver Broncos | W 37–14 | 1–1 | San Diego Stadium | 49,048 | Recap |
| 3 | October 1 | at Oakland Raiders | T 17–17 | 1–1–1 | Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum | 53,455 | Recap |
| 4 | October 8 | at Baltimore Colts | W 23–20 | 2–1–1 | Memorial Stadium | 55,459 | Recap |
| 5 | October 15 | at Miami Dolphins | L 10–24 | 2–2–1 | Miami Orange Bowl | 80,010 | Recap |
| 6 | October 22 | at Detroit Lions | L 20–34 | 2–3–1 | Tiger Stadium | 54,371 | Recap |
| 7 | October 29 | Kansas City Chiefs | L 14–26 | 2–4–1 | San Diego Stadium | 54,533 | Recap |
| 8 | November 5 | Dallas Cowboys | L 28–34 | 2–5–1 | San Diego Stadium | 54,476 | Recap |
| 9 | November 13 | Cleveland Browns | L 17–21 | 2–6–1 | San Diego Stadium | 54,205 | Recap |
| 10 | November 19 | at Kansas City Chiefs | W 27–17 | 3–6–1 | Arrowhead Stadium | 79,011 | Recap |
| 11 | November 26 | Houston Oilers | W 34–20 | 4–6–1 | San Diego Stadium | 46,289 | Recap |
| 12 | December 3 | Oakland Raiders | L 19–21 | 4–7–1 | San Diego Stadium | 54,611 | Recap |
| 13 | December 10 | at Denver Broncos | L 13–38 | 4–8–1 | Mile High Stadium | 51,478 | Recap |
| 14 | December 17 | Pittsburgh Steelers | L 2–24 | 4–9–1 | San Diego Stadium | 52,873 | Recap |
| Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text. ||||||||

### Game summaries
#### Week 1: at San Francisco 49ers

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Chargers | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| 49ers | 7 | 17 | 7 | 3 | 34 |
at Candlestick Park, San Francisco, California
* Date: September 17
* Game time: 1:00 p.m. PDT
* Game weather: 59 °F (15.0 °C), relative humidity 74%, wind 10 mph
* Game attendance: 59,438
* Referee: Bernie Ulman
* Box score
Game information :
First quarter
SF – Gene Washington 13-yard pass from John Brodie (Bruce Gossett kick), 8:28. 49ers 7–0. Drive: 2 plays, 14 yards.
SDG – Dennis Partee 30-yard field goal, 2:06. 49ers 7–3. Drive: 12 plays, 58 yards, 6:22.
Second quarter
SF – Bruce Gossett 43-yard field goal, 12:10. 49ers 10–3. Drive: 13 plays, 39 yards, 4:56.
SF – Gene Washington 23-yard pass from John Brodie (Bruce Gossett kick), 3:23. 49ers 17–3. Drive: 8 plays, 80 yards, 4:13.
SF – Gene Washington 45-yard pass from John Brodie (Bruce Gossett kick), 0:42. 49ers 24–3. Drive: 4 plays, 61 yards, 0:38.
Third quarter
SF – Jimmy Thomas 4-yard run (Bruce Gossett kick), 7:36. 49ers 31–3. Drive: 1 play, 8 yards, 0:07.
Fourth quarter
SF – Bruce Gossett 20-yard field goal, 10:28. 49ers 34–3. Drive: 6 plays, 16 yards, 2:12.
Top passers
SDG – John Hadl – 11/25, 109 yards, 2 INT
SF – John Brodie – 11/19, 156 yards, 3 TD, INT
Top rushers
SDG – Mike Garrett – 19 rushes, 80 yards
SF – Jimmy Thomas – 13 rushes, 64 yards, TD
Top receivers
SDG – Dave Williams – 3 receptions, 83 yards
SF – Gene Washington – 8 receptions, 140 yards, 3 TD :

#### Week 2: vs. Denver Broncos

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Broncos | 7 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 14 |
| Chargers | 13 | 21 | 0 | 3 | 37 |
at San Diego Stadium, San Diego, California
* Date: September 24
* Game time: 1:00 p.m. PDT
* Game weather: 68 °F (20.0 °C), relative humidity 74%, wind 13 mph
* Game attendance: 49,048
* Referee: Jim Tunney
* Box score
Game information :
First quarter
DEN – Randy Montgomery 94-yard kickoff return (Jim Turner kick), 14:45. Broncos 7–0.
SDG – Dennis Partee 45-yard field goal, 9:29. Broncos 7–3. Drive: 12 plays, 40 yards, 5:16.
SDG – Dennis Partee 11-yard field goal, 6:24. Broncos 7–6. Drive: 4 plays, -2 yards, 1:22.
SDG – Mike Garrett 41-yard run (Dennis Partee kick), 4:42. Chargers 13–7. Drive: 3 plays, 57 yards, 0:28.
Second quarter
SDG – Gary Garrison 9-yard pass from John Hadl (Dennis Partee kick), 9:21. Chargers 20–7. Drive: 7 plays, 41 yards, 4:21.
SDG – Dave Williams 31-yard pass from John Hadl (Dennis Partee kick), 3:05. Chargers 27–7. Drive: 4 plays, 49 yards, 1:47.
SDG – Joe Beauchamp 47-yard interception return (Dennis Partee kick), 2:07. Chargers 34–7.
Third quarter
No scoring plays.
Fourth quarter
DEN – Steve Ramsey 8-yard run (Jim Turner kick), 4:47. Chargers 34–14. Drive: 12 plays, 80 yards, 4:14.
SDG – Bill McClard 47-yard field goal, 0:55. Chargers 37–14. Drive: 8 plays, 40 yards, 3:52.
Top passers
DEN – Steve Ramsey – 14/25, 192 yards, 3 INT
SDG – John Hadl – 15/32, 188 yards, 2 TD, INT
Top rushers
DEN – Fran Lynch – 5 rushes, 43 yards
SDG – Mike Garrett – 21 rushes, 104 yards, TD
Top receivers
DEN – Rod Sherman – 6 receptions, 95 yards
SDG – Gary Garrison – 6 receptions, 69 yards, TD :

#### Week 3: at Oakland Raiders

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Chargers | 0 | 7 | 0 | 10 | 17 |
| Raiders | 14 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 17 |
at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Oakland, California
* Date: October 1
* Game time: 1:00 p.m. PDT
* Game weather: 61 °F (16.1 °C), relative humidity 83%, wind 10 mph
* Game attendance: 53,455
* Referee: Dick Jorgensen
* Box score
Game information :
First quarter
OAK – Raymond Chester 23-yard pass from Daryle Lamonica (George Blanda kick), 7:26. Raiders 7–0. Drive: 7 plays, 54 yards, 3:16.
OAK – Marv Hubbard 1-yard run (George Blanda kick), 3:20. Raiders 14–0. Drive: 7 plays, 45 yards, 3:10.
Second quarter
SDG – Cid Edwards 1-yard run (Dennis Partee kick), 2:10. Raiders 14–7. Drive: 12 plays, 55 yards, 6:54.
Third quarter
No scoring plays.
Fourth quarter
SDG – Carl Mauck offensive fumble recovery in end zone (Dennis Partee kick), 14:12. Tied 14–14. Drive: 11 plays, 79 yards, 5:18.
SDG – Dennis Partee 41-yard field goal, 7:02. Chargers 17–14. Drive: 10 plays, 31 yards, 5:43.
OAK – George Blanda 40-yard field goal, 4:28. Tied 17–17. Drive: 7 plays, 35 yards, 2:34.
Top passers
SDG – John Hadl – 9/13, 156 yards, INT
OAK – Daryle Lamonica – 14/26, 152 yards, TD, INT
Top rushers
SDG – Cid Edwards – 18 rushes, 97 yards, TD
OAK – Marv Hubbard – 16 rushes, 58 yards, TD
Top receivers
SDG – Cid Edwards – 6 receptions, 100 yards
OAK – Fred Biletnikoff – 5 receptions, 75 yards :

#### Week 4: at Baltimore Colts

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Chargers | 0 | 7 | 0 | 10 | 17 |
| Colts | 14 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 17 |
at Memorial Stadium, Baltimore, Maryland
* Date: October 8
* Game time: 2:00 p.m. PDT
* Game weather: 60 °F (15.6 °C), relative humidity 52%, wind 15 mph
* Game attendance: 55,459
* Referee: Fred Wyant
* Box score
Game information :
First quarter
SDG – Mike Garrett 1-yard run (Dennis Partee kick), 7:40. Chargers 7–0. Drive: 12 plays, 75 yards, 7:20.
Second quarter
BAL – Jim O'Brien 22-yard field goal, 7:28. Chargers 7–3. Drive: 10 plays, 45 yards, 3:55.
SDG – Dennis Partee 51-yard field goal, 2:55. Chargers 10–3. Drive: 9 plays, 28 yards, 4:33.
Third quarter
BAL – Don Nottingham 13-yard run (Jim O'Brien kick), 10:19. Tied 10–10. Drive: 11 plays, 84 yards, 4:41.
BAL – Jim O'Brien 20-yard field goal, 6:06. Colts 17–10. Drive: 6 plays, 12 yards, 2:08.
BAL – Don Nottingham 3-yard run (Jim O'Brien kick), 0:11. Colts 20–10. Drive: 9 plays, 57 yards, 3:39.
Fourth quarter
SDG – Mike Garrett 2-yard run (Dennis Partee kick), 10:05. Colts 20–17. Drive: 4 plays, 24 yards, 1:52.
SDG – Dennis Partee 40-yard field goal, 2:14. Tied 20–20. Drive: 7 plays, 12 yards, 1:46.
SDG – Dennis Partee 28-yard field goal, 0:04. Chargers 23–20. Drive: 5 plays, 30 yards, 1:04.
Top passers
SDG – John Hadl – 12/20, 148 yards, 3 INT
BAL – Johnny Unitas – 14/22, 130 yards
Top rushers
SDG – Mike Garrett – 27 rushes, 132 yards, 2 TD
BAL – Don Nottingham – 17 rushes, 85 yards, 2 TD
Top receivers
SDG – Gary Garrison – 4 receptions, 59 yards
BAL – Cotton Speyrer – 3 receptions, 34 yards :

#### Week 5: at Miami Dolphins

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Chargers | 3 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 10 |
| Dolphins | 3 | 14 | 7 | 0 | 24 |
at Orange Bowl, Miami, Florida
* Date: October 15
* Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT
* Game weather: 78 °F (25.6 °C), relative humidity 72%, wind 10 mph
* Game attendance: 80,010
* Referee: Chuck Heberling
* Box score
Game information :
First quarter
MIA – Garo Yepremian 37-yard field goal, 5:18. Dolphins 3–0. Drive: 6 plays, 20 yards, 2:00.
SDG – Dennis Partee 12-yard field goal, 0:56. Tied 3–3. Drive: 12 plays, 76 yards, 4:22.
Second quarter
MIA – Dick Anderson 35-yard fumble return (Garo Yepremian kick), 13:51. Dolphins 10–3.
MIA – Howard Twilley 18-yard pass from Earl Morrall (Garo Yepremian kick), 4:25. Dolphins 17–3. Drive: 4 plays, 34 yards, 2:10.
Third quarter
MIA – Paul Warfield 19-yard pass from Earl Morrall (Garo Yepremian kick), 9:25. Dolphins 24–3. Drive: 8 plays, 46 yards, 5:35.
Fourth quarter
SDG – Cid Edwards 3-yard pass from John Hadl (Bill McClard kick), 4:56. Dolphins 24–10. Drive: 6 plays, 19 yards, 2:58.
Top passers
SDG – John Hadl – 12/22, 117 yards, TD, 2 INT
MIA – Earl Morrall – 8/10, 86 yards, 2 TD
Top rushers
SDG – Mike Garrett – 22 rushes, 68 yards
MIA – Larry Csonka – 13 rushes, 70 yards
Top receivers
SDG – Cid Edwards – 4 receptions, 39 yards, TD
MIA – Howard Twilley – 2 receptions, 41 yards, TD :

#### Week 6: at Detroit Lions

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Chargers | 6 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 20 |
| Lions | 6 | 7 | 14 | 7 | 34 |
at Tiger Stadium, Detroit, Michigan
* Date: October 22
* Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT
* Game weather: 47 °F (8.3 °C), relative humidity 96%, wind 9 mph
* Game attendance: 54,371
* Box score
Game information :
First quarter
DET – Errol Mann 25-yard field goal, 8:49. Lions 3–0. Drive: 11 plays, 49 yards, 4:17.
SDG – Cid Edwards 1-yard run (kick blocked), 1:55. Chargers 6–3. Drive: 11 plays, 73 yards, 6:54.
DET – Errol Mann 41-yard field goal, 0:47. Tied 6–6. Drive: 4 plays, 0 yards, 1:08.
Second quarter
DET – Mel Farr 1-yard run (Errol Mann kick), 6:54. Lions 13–6. Drive: 15 plays, 65 yards, 7:53.
Third quarter
DET – Mel Farr 2-yard run (Errol Mann kick), 7:55. Lions 20–6. Drive: 12 plays, 60 yards, 7:05.
DET – Larry Walton 24-yard pass from Greg Landry (Errol Mann kick), 4:21. Lions 27–6. Drive: 5 plays, 17 yards, 2:04.
Fourth quarter
DET – Greg Landry 5-yard run (Errol Mann kick), 12:03. Lions 34–6. Drive: 9 plays, 61 yards, 5:16.
SDG – Gary Garrison 15-yard pass from John Hadl (Dennis Partee kick), 10:08. Lions 34–13. Drive: 4 plays, 67 yards, 1:55.
SDG – Gary Garrison 5-yard pass from John Hadl (Dennis Partee kick), 6:40. Lions 34–20. Drive: 5 plays, 17 yards, 0:56.
Top passers
SDG – John Hadl – 12/27, 161 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT
DET – Greg Landry – 12/24, 151 yards, TD, INT
Top rushers
SDG – Cid Edwards – 9 rushes, 42 yards, TD
DET – Mel Farr – 22 rushes, 96 yards, 2 TD
Top receivers
SDG – Gary Garrison – 7 receptions, 119 yards, 2 TD
DET – Larry Walton – 7 receptions, 101 yards, TD :

#### Week 7: vs. Kansas City Chiefs

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Chiefs | 0 | 3 | 10 | 13 | 26 |
| Chargers | 0 | 7 | 0 | 7 | 14 |
at San Diego Stadium, San Diego, California
* Date: October 29
* Game time: 1:00 p.m. PST
* Game weather: 62 °F (16.7 °C), relative humidity 75%, wind 8 mph
* Game attendance: 54,533
* Referee: Norm Schachter
* Box score
Game information :
First quarter
No scoring plays.
Second quarter
KAN – Jan Stenerud 33-yard field goal, 8:52. Chiefs 3–0. Drive: 16 plays, 54 yards, 9:05.
SDG – Mike Garrett 27-yard pass from John Hadl (Dennis Partee kick), 3:41. Chargers 7–3. Drive: 10 plays, 81 yards, 5:11.
Third quarter
KAN – Jan Stenerud 50-yard field goal, 12:37. Chargers 7–6. Drive: 7 plays, 25 yards, 2:23.
KAN – Ed Podolak 6-yard run (Jan Stenerud kick), 0:40. Chiefs 13–7. Drive: 5 plays, 17 yards, 3:18.
Fourth quarter
KAN – Jan Stenerud 15-yard field goal, 9:20. Chiefs 16–7. Drive: 4 plays, 4 yards, 1:46.
SDG – Mike Garrett 3-yard run (Dennis Partee kick), 3:17. Chiefs 16–14. Drive: 11 plays, 78 yards, 6:03.
KAN – Robert West 8-yard offensive fumble return (Jan Stenerud kick), 1:49. Chiefs 23–14. Drive: 3 plays, 65 yards, 1:28.
KAN – Jan Stenerud 37-yard field goal, 0:31. Chiefs 26–14. Drive: 4 plays, -5 yards, 0:40.
Top passers
KAN – Len Dawson – 14/27, 154 yards, 2 INT
SDG – John Hadl – 18/36, 231 yards, TD, 3 INT
Top rushers
KAN – Ed Podolak – 18 rushes, 71 yards, TD
SDG – Cid Edwards – 12 rushes, 55 yards
Top receivers
KAN – Otis Taylor – 5 receptions, 86 yards
SDG – Cid Edwards – 7 receptions, 93 yards :

#### Week 8: vs. Dallas Cowboys

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Cowboys | 10 | 14 | 7 | 3 | 34 |
| Chargers | 0 | 0 | 7 | 21 | 28 |
at San Diego Stadium, San Diego, California
* Date: November 5
* Game time: 1:00 p.m. PST
* Game weather: 64 °F (17.8 °C), relative humidity 75%, wind 9 mph
* Game attendance: 54,476
* Referee: Bernie Ulman
* Box score
Game information :
First quarter
DAL – Mike Montgomery 54-yard fumble return (Toni Fritsch kick), 13:16. Cowboys 7–0.
DAL – Toni Fritsch 25-yard field goal, 7:32. Cowboys 10–0. Drive: 6 plays, 18 yards, 2:39.
Second quarter
DAL – Walt Garrison 9-yard run (Toni Fritsch kick), 10:25. Cowboys 17–0. Drive: 4 plays, 40 yards, 2:22.
DAL – Mike Ditka 1-yard pass from Craig Morton (Toni Fritsch kick), 0:43. Cowboys 24–0. Drive: 8 plays, 52 yards, 3:26.
Third quarter
DAL – Craig Morton 7-yard run (Toni Fritsch kick), 6:31. Cowboys 31–0. Drive: 9 plays, 70 yards, 3:47.
SDG – Chuck Dicus 46-yard pass from John Hadl (Dennis Partee kick), 3:56. Cowboys 31–7. Drive: 6 plays, 80 yards, 2:35.
Fourth quarter
SDG – Gary Garrison 42-yard pass from John Hadl (Dennis Partee kick), 13:39. Cowboys 31–14. Drive: 5 plays, 68 yards, 2:26.
SDG – Chuck Dicus 20-yard pass from John Hadl (Dennis Partee kick), 10:09. Cowboys 31–21. Drive: 5 plays, 32 yards, 1:36.
DAL – Toni Fritsch 31-yard field goal, 3:47. Cowboys 34–21. Drive: 11 plays, 81 yards, 6:22.
SDG – Dave Williams 47-yard pass from John Hadl (Dennis Partee kick), 0:00. Cowboys 34–28. Drive: 4 plays, 60 yards.
Top passers
DAL – Craig Morton – 15/21, 161 yards, TD, INT
SDG – John Hadl – 11/26, 211 yards, 4 TD, 3 INT
Top rushers
DAL – Walt Garrison – 13 rushes, 44 yards, TD
SDG – Mike Garrett – 17 rushes, 88 yards
Top receivers
DAL – Ron Sellers – 3 receptions, 79 yards
SDG – Chuck Dicus – 4 receptions, 77 yards, 2 TD :

#### Week 9: vs. Cleveland Browns

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Browns | 0 | 7 | 0 | 14 | 21 |
| Chargers | 0 | 3 | 7 | 7 | 17 |
at San Diego Stadium, San Diego, California
* Date: November 13
* Game time: 6:00 p.m. PST
* Game weather: 58 °F (14.4 °C), relative humidity 65%, wind 6 mph
* Game attendance: 54,205
* Box score
Game information :
First quarter
No scoring plays.
Second quarter
SDG – Dennis Partee 26-yard field goal. Chargers 3–0.
CLE – Mike Phipps 1-yard run (Don Cockroft kick). Browns 7–3.
Third quarter
SDG – Cid Edwards 4-yard pass from John Hadl (Dennis Partee kick). Chargers 10–7.
Fourth quarter
CLE – Ken Brown 2-yard run (Don Cockroft kick). Browns 14–10.
SDG – Mike Garrett 3-yard run (Dennis Partee kick). Chargers 17–14.
CLE – Frank Pitts 38-yard pass from Mike Phipps (Don Cockroft kick). Browns 21–17.
Top passers
CLE – Mike Phipps – 13/21, 186 yards, TD, INT
SDG – John Hadl – 12/21, 140 yards, TD, INT
Top rushers
CLE – Leroy Kelly – 17 rushes, 67 yards
SDG – Cid Edwards – 17 rushes, 91 yards
Top receivers
CLE – Frank Pitts – 5 receptions, 96 yards, TD
SDG – Pettis Norman – 3 receptions, 47 yards :

#### Week 10: at Kansas City Chiefs

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Chargers | 7 | 17 | 3 | 0 | 27 |
| Chiefs | 7 | 0 | 3 | 7 | 17 |
at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri
* Date: November 19
* Game time: 1:00 p.m. CST
* Game weather: 32 °F (0.0 °C), relative humidity 81%, wind 11 mph, wind chill 23
* Game attendance: 79,011
* Referee: Jack Reader
* Box score
Game information :
First quarter
SDG – Mike Garrett 3-yard run (Dennis Partee kick), 5:54. Chargers 7–0. Drive: 3 plays, 63 yards, 1:38.
KAN – Wendell Hayes 4-yard pass from Len Dawson (Jan Stenerud kick), 1:08. Tied 7–7. Drive: 7 plays, 44 yards, 4:46.
Second quarter
SDG – Dennis Partee 46-yard field goal, 10:37. Chargers 10–7. Drive: 6 plays, 16 yards, 3:08.
SDG – John Hadl 1-yard run (Dennis Partee kick), 6:31. Chargers 17–7. Drive: 9 plays, 47 yards, 4:06.
SDG – Gary Garrison 20-yard pass from John Hadl (Dennis Partee kick), 0:22. Chargers 24–7. Drive: 7 plays, 59 yards, 1:26.
Third quarter
SDG – Dennis Partee 24-yard field goal, 11:17. Chargers 27–7. Drive: 4 plays, 4 yards, 1:14.
KAN – Jan Stenerud 28-yard field goal, 1:47. Chargers 27–10. Drive: 10 plays, 60 yards, 4:37.
Fourth quarter
KAN – Robert West 36-yard pass from Mike Livingston (Jan Stenerud kick), 4:11. Chargers 27–17. Drive: 11 plays, 37 yards, 4:14.
Top passers
SDG – John Hadl – 17/28, 216 yards, TD
KAN – Mike Livingston – 19/30, 231 yards, TD, 3 INT
Top rushers
SDG – Cid Edwards – 12 rushes, 62 yards
KAN – Ed Podolak – 18 rushes, 71 yards, TD
Top receivers
SDG – Cid Edwards – 6 receptions, 82 yards
KAN – Mike Adamle – 9 receptions, 34 yards :

#### Week 11: vs. Houston Oilers

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Oilers | 0 | 3 | 0 | 17 | 20 |
| Chargers | 10 | 10 | 7 | 7 | 34 |
at San Diego Stadium, San Diego, California
* Date: November 26
* Game time: 1:00 p.m. PST
* Game weather: 61 °F (16.1 °C), relative humidity 51%, wind 7 mph
* Game attendance: 46,289
* Box score
Game information :
First quarter
SDG – Jesse Taylor blocked punt recovery in end zone (Dennis Partee kick). Chargers 7–0.
SDG – Dennis Partee 31-yard field goal. Chargers 10–0.
Second quarter
HOU – Skip Butler 49-yard field goal. Chargers 10–3.
SDG – Dennis Partee 11-yard field goal. Chargers 13–3.
SDG – Cid Edwards 1-yard run (Dennis Partee kick). Chargers 20–3.
Third quarter
SDG – Cid Edwards 31-yard run (Dennis Partee kick). Chargers 27–3.
Fourth quarter
HOU – Skip Butler 47-yard field goal. Chargers 27–6.
SDG – Dave Williams 3-yard pass from John Hadl (Dennis Partee kick). Chargers 34–6.
HOU – Rhett Dawson 3-yard pass from Dan Pastorini (Skip Butler kick). Chargers 34–13.
HOU – Fred Willis 7-yard pass from Kent Nix (Skip Butler kick). Chargers 34–20.
Top passers
HOU – Dan Pastorini – 17/35, 166 yards, TD, INT
SDG – John Hadl – 13/24, 141 yards, TD
Top rushers
HOU – Paul Robinson – 17 rushes, 67 yards
SDG – Mike Garrett – 17 rushes, 102 yards
Top receivers
HOU – Ken Burrough – 4 receptions, 52 yards
SDG – Cid Edwards – 3 receptions, 44 yards :

#### Week 12: vs. Oakland Raiders

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Raiders | 7 | 7 | 0 | 7 | 21 |
| Chargers | 0 | 10 | 6 | 3 | 19 |
at San Diego Stadium, San Diego, California
* Date: December 3
* Game time: 1:00 p.m. PST
* Game weather: 60 °F (15.6 °C), relative humidity 71%, wind 9 mph
* Game attendance: 54,611
* Referee: Ed Marion
* Box score
Game information :
First quarter
OAK – Raymond Chester 16-yard pass from Daryle Lamonica (George Blanda kick), 5:01. Raiders 7–0. Drive: 10 plays, 58 yards, 5:39.
Second quarter
SDG – Dennis Partee 15-yard field goal, 14:14. Raiders 7–3. Drive: 12 plays, 66 yards, 5:47.
SDG – Cid Edwards 1-yard run (Dennis Partee kick), 5:00. Chargers 10–7. Drive: 12 plays, 58 yards, 6:28.
OAK – Fred Biletnikoff 36-yard pass from Daryle Lamonica (George Blanda kick), 1:49. Raiders 14–10. Drive: 7 plays, 65 yards, 3:11.
Third quarter
SDG – Gary Garrison 52-yard pass from John Hadl (kick blocked), 6:09. Chargers 16–14. Drive: 1 play, 52 yards, 0:08.
Fourth quarter
SDG – Dennis Partee 18-yard field goal, 12:31. Chargers 19–14. Drive: 8 plays, 59 yards, 2:43.
OAK – Charlie Smith 9-yard run (George Blanda kick), 1:18. Raiders 21–19. Drive: 7 plays, 80 yards, 2:13.
Top passers
OAK – Daryle Lamonica – 14/23, 223 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT
SDG – John Hadl – 15/26, 221 yards, TD, 2 INT
Top rushers
OAK – Marv Hubbard – 15 rushes, 68 yards
SDG – Mike Garrett – 28 rushes, 145 yards
Top receivers
OAK – Mike Siani – 4 receptions, 71 yards
SDG – Gary Garrison – 4 receptions, 79 yards, TD :

#### Week 13: at Denver Broncos

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Chargers | 0 | 3 | 3 | 7 | 13 |
| Broncos | 7 | 14 | 17 | 0 | 38 |
at Mile High Stadium, Denver, Colorado
* Date: December 10
* Game time: 12:00 p.m. MST
* Game weather: 7 °F (−13.9 °C), relative humidity 52%, wind 7 mph, wind chill -20
* Game attendance: 51,478
* Box score
Game information :
First quarter
DEN – Floyd Little 2-yard run (Jim Turner kick). Broncos 7–0.
Second quarter
SDG – Bill McClard 26-yard field goal. Broncos 7–3.
DEN – Joe Dawkins 4-yard run (Jim Turner kick). Broncos 14–3.
DEN – Charlie Greer 65-yard punt return (Jim Turner kick). Broncos 21–3.
Third quarter
SDG – Bill McClard 48-yard field goal, 9:29. Broncos 21–6.
DEN – Jim Turner 12-yard field goal, 4:47. Broncos 24–6.
DEN – Haven Moses 11-yard pass from Charley Johnson (Jim Turner kick), 4:47. Broncos 31–6.
DEN – Haven Moses 7-yard pass from Charley Johnson (Jim Turner kick), 4:47. Broncos 38–6.
Fourth quarter
SDG – Gary Garrison 23-yard pass from John Hadl (Dennis Partee kick), 9:21. Broncos 38–13.
Top passers
SDG – John Hadl – 22/44, 288 yards, TD, 2 INT
DEN – Charley Johnson – 6/10, 85 yards, 2 TD, INT
Top rushers
SDG – Mike Garrett – 15 rushes, 59 yards
DEN – Jim Krieg – 1 rush, 63 yards
Top receivers
SDG – Gary Garrison – 10 receptions, 156 yards, TD
DEN – Haven Moses – 3 receptions, 43 yards, 2 TD :

#### Week 14: vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Steelers | 7 | 7 | 3 | 7 | 24 |
| Chargers | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
at San Diego Stadium, San Diego, California
* Date: December 17
* Game time: 1:00 p.m. PST
* Game weather: 60 °F (15.6 °C), relative humidity 37%, wind 6 mph
* Game attendance: 52,873
* Referee: Pat Haggerty
* Box score
Game information :
First quarter
PIT – Franco Harris 2-yard run (Roy Gerela kick), 11:51. Steelers 7–0. Drive: 3 plays, 11 yards, 1:19.
SDG – Safety, Dave Costa sacked Terry Bradshaw in end zone, 6:42. Steelers 7–2.
Second quarter
PIT – John Fuqua 2-yard run (Roy Gerela kick), 6:05. Steelers 14–2. Drive: 4 plays, 34 yards, 1:29.
Third quarter
PIT – Roy Gerela 26-yard field goal, 1:57. Steelers 17–2. Drive: 6 plays, 13 yards, 1:26.
Fourth quarter
PIT – Ron Shanklin 17-yard pass from Terry Bradshaw (Roy Gerela kick), 6:03. Steelers 24–2. Drive: 6 plays, 48 yards, 4:01.
Top passers
PIT – Terry Bradshaw – 12/23, 152 yards, TD, INT
SDG – John Hadl – 11/26, 122 yards, 4 INT
Top rushers
PIT – John Fuqua – 17 rushes, 51 yards, TD
SDG – Cid Edwards – 13 rushes, 52 yards
Top receivers
PIT – John Fuqua – 3 receptions, 50 yards
SDG – Cid Edwards – 3 receptions, 42 yards :

### Standings

AFC West :
| viewtalkedit | W | L | T | PCT | DIV | CONF | PF | PA | STK |
| Oakland Raiders | 10 | 3 | 1 | .750 | 3–2–1 | 7–3–1 | 365 | 248 | W6 |
| Kansas City Chiefs | 8 | 6 | 0 | .571 | 4–2 | 6–5 | 287 | 254 | W3 |
| Denver Broncos | 5 | 9 | 0 | .357 | 2–4 | 4–6 | 325 | 350 | W2 |
| San Diego Chargers | 4 | 9 | 1 | .321 | 2–3–1 | 4–6–1 | 264 | 344 | L3 |

## Notable events

In their last game for the year, the Chargers became the thirty-third team in the NFL or leagues that merged with the NFL to score only a safety in a full game. This unusual occurrence has been repeated only six times since: by the 1980 Buffalo Bills, the 1983 Minnesota Vikings, the 1993 Cincinnati Bengals, the 2011 Atlanta Falcons (the only team to do so in a playoff game), the 2013 Jacksonville Jaguars, and the 2024 Houston Texans.