# 2005 San Diego Chargers season

The 2005 San Diego Chargers season was the franchise's 36th season in the National Football League (NFL), and the 46th overall. The Chargers failed to improve on their 12–4 record in 2004, and finished the campaign 9–7 and 3rd overall in their division, missing out on the playoffs for the first time since 2003. Outside linebacker Shawne Merriman was named Rookie of the Year at the end of the season.
Despite missing the playoffs, the Chargers defeated some of the best teams in the NFL, such as the defending Super Bowl champions New England Patriots (41–17) and the previously undefeated Indianapolis Colts (26–17). Following the season, Drew Brees would sign as a free agent with the New Orleans Saints. Brees would be replaced by Philip Rivers who would become their starter for the next 14 seasons.

## Offseason
### Draft

2005 San Diego Chargers draft :
| Round | Pick | Player | Position | College | Notes |
| 1 | 12 | Shawne Merriman * | OLB | Maryland | Pick from NYG |
| 1 | 28 | Luis Castillo | DT | Northwestern | |
| 2 | 61 | Vincent Jackson * | WR | Northern Colorado | |
| 4 | 130 | Darren Sproles * | RB | Kansas State | |
| 5 | 164 | Wesley Britt | OT | Alabama | |
| 6 | 167 | Wes Sims | OG | Oklahoma | Pick from MIA |
| 7 | 242 | Scott Mruczkowski | C | Bowling Green | |
| Made roster † Pro Football Hall of Fame * Made at least one Pro Bowl during career ||||||

## Preseason

| Date | Opponent | Result | Host Stadium | NFL Recap | Attendance |
| August 11, 2005 | at Green Bay Packers | L 7–10 | Lambeau Field | Gamebook | 69,611 |
| August 21, 2005 | St. Louis Rams | W 36–21 | Qualcomm Stadium | Gamebook | 54,421 |
| August 26, 2005 | at Minnesota Vikings | L 16–19 | Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome | Gamebook | 64,172 |
| September 1, 2005 | San Francisco 49ers | W 28–24 | Qualcomm Stadium | Gamebook | 49,817 |

## Regular season
### Schedule

In addition to their regular games with AFC West rivals, the Chargers played teams from the AFC East and NFC East as per the schedule rotation, and also played intraconference games against the Steelers and the Colts based on divisional positions from 2004.
| Week | Date | Opponent | Result | Record | Venue | Attendance | Recap |
| 1 | September 11 | Dallas Cowboys | L 24–28 | 0–1 | Qualcomm Stadium | 67,679 | Gamebook |
| 2 | September 18 | at Denver Broncos | L 17–20 | 0–2 | Invesco Field at Mile High | 75,310 | Gamebook |
| 3 | September 25 | New York Giants | W 45–23 | 1–2 | Qualcomm Stadium | 65,373 | Gamebook |
| 4 | October 2 | at New England Patriots | W 41–17 | 2–2 | Gillette Stadium | 68,756 | Gamebook |
| 5 | October 10 | Pittsburgh Steelers | L 22–24 | 2–3 | Qualcomm Stadium | 68,537 | Gamebook |
| 6 | October 16 | at Oakland Raiders | W 27–14 | 3–3 | McAfee Coliseum | 52,666 | Gamebook |
| 7 | October 23 | at Philadelphia Eagles | L 17–20 | 3–4 | Lincoln Financial Field | 67,747 | Gamebook |
| 8 | October 30 | Kansas City Chiefs | W 28–20 | 4–4 | Qualcomm Stadium | 65,750 | Gamebook |
| 9 | November 6 | at New York Jets | W 31–26 | 5–4 | Giants Stadium | 77,662 | Gamebook |
| 10 | Bye | Bye | Bye | Bye | Bye | Bye | Bye |
| 11 | November 20 | Buffalo Bills | W 48–10 | 6–4 | Qualcomm Stadium | 65,602 | Gamebook |
| 12 | November 27 | at Washington Redskins | W 23–17(OT) | 7–4 | FedExField | 84,930 | Gamebook |
| 13 | December 4 | Oakland Raiders | W 34–19 | 8–4 | Qualcomm Stadium | 66,436 | Gamebook |
| 14 | December 11 | Miami Dolphins | L 21–23 | 8–5 | Qualcomm Stadium | 65,026 | Gamebook |
| 15 | December 18 | at Indianapolis Colts | W 26–17 | 9–5 | RCA Dome | 57,389 | Gamebook |
| 16 | December 24 | at Kansas City Chiefs | L 7–20 | 9–6 | Arrowhead Stadium | 75,956 | Gamebook |
| 17 | December 31 | Denver Broncos | L 7–23 | 9–7 | Qualcomm Stadium | 65,513 | Gamebook |
Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.

### Game summaries
#### Week 1: vs. Dallas Cowboys

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Cowboys | 0 | 14 | 7 | 7 | 28 |
| Chargers | 7 | 7 | 10 | 0 | 24 |
at Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego, California
* Date: September 11
* Game time: 1:15 p.m. PDT
* Game weather: 67 °F (19 °C), relative humidity 56%, wind 8 mph
* Game attendance: 67,679
* Referee: Peter Morelli
* TV announcers (FOX): Joe Buck, Troy Aikman and Patrick O’Neal
* Box score
Game information :
First quarter
SDG – LaDainian Tomlinson 2-yard run (Nate Kaeding kick), 6:53. Chargers 7–0. Drive: 11 plays, 67 yards, 5:08.
Second quarter
DAL – Patrick Crayton 20-yard pass from Drew Bledsoe (Jose Cortez kick), 13:34. Tied 7–7. Drive: 9 plays, 80 yards, 4:36.
DAL – Keyshawn Johnson 13-yard pass from Drew Bledsoe (Jose Cortez kick), 9:46. Cowboys 14–7. Drive: 5 plays, 34 yards, 2:47.
SDG – Keenan McCardell 20-yard pass from Drew Brees (Nate Kaeding kick), 2:07. Tied 14–14. Drive: 14 plays, 68 yards, 7:39.
Third quarter
SDG – Keenan McCardell 17-yard pass from Drew Brees (Nate Kaeding kick), 10:31. Chargers 21–14. Drive: 8 plays, 51 yards, 4:29.
DAL – Julius Jones 5-yard run (Jose Cortez kick), 5:41. Tied 21–21. Drive: 11 plays, 80 yards, 4:50.
SDG – Nate Kaeding 33-yard field goal, 0:12. Chargers 24–21. Drive: 10 plays, 33 yards, 5:29.
Fourth quarter
DAL – Keyshawn Johnson 2-yard pass from Drew Bledsoe (Jose Cortez kick), 3:06. Cowboys 28–24. Drive: 9 plays, 44 yards, 5:26.
Top passers
DAL – Drew Bledsoe – 18/24, 226 yards, 3 TD
SDG – Drew Brees – 18/35, 209 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT
Top rushers
DAL – Julius Jones – 26 rushes, 93 yards, TD
SDG – LaDainian Tomlinson – 19 rushes, 72 yards, TD
Top receivers
DAL – Patrick Crayton – 6 receptions, 89 yards, TD
SDG – Keenan McCardell – 9 receptions, 123 yards, 2 TD :

#### Week 2: at Denver Broncos

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Chargers | 0 | 14 | 0 | 3 | 17 |
| Broncos | 3 | 0 | 7 | 10 | 20 |
at Invesco Field, Denver, Colorado
* Date: September 18
* Game time: 2:15 p.m. MDT
* Game weather: 77 °F (25 °C), relative humidity 23%, wind 4 mph
* Game attendance: 75,310
* Referee: Gerry Austin
* TV announcers (CBS): Kevin Harlan and Randy Cross
* Box score
Game information :
First quarter
DEN – Jason Elam 45-yard field goal, 2:58. Broncos 3–0. Drive: 7 plays, 28 yards, 3:08.
Second quarter
SDG – LaDainian Tomlinson 16-yard run (Nate Kaeding kick), 12:13. Chargers 7–3. Drive: 11 plays, 80 yards, 5:45.
SDG – LaDainian Tomlinson 4-yard run (Nate Kaeding kick), 4:55. Chargers 14–3. Drive: 8 plays, 83 yards, 4:40.
Third quarter
DEN – Champ Bailey 25-yard interception return (Jason Elam kick), 14:49. Chargers 14–10.
Fourth quarter
DEN – Kyle Johnson 3-yard run (Jason Elam kick), 8:46. Broncos 17–14. Drive: 2 plays, 29 yards, 0:55.
SDG – Nate Kaeding 42-yard field goal, 5:21. Tied 17–17. Drive: 8 plays, 49 yards, 3:25.
DEN – Jason Elam 41-yard field goal, 0:05. Broncos 20–17. Drive: 12 plays, 57 yards, 5:16.
Top passers
SDG – Drew Brees – 15/23, 175 yards, INT
DEN – Jake Plummer – 23/37, 248 yards, INT
Top rushers
SDG – LaDainian Tomlinson – 19 rushes, 52 yards, 2 TD
DEN – Mike Anderson – 15 rushes, 49 yards
Top receivers
SDG – Antonio Gates – 6 receptions, 80 yards
DEN – Rod Smith – 8 receptions, 83 yards :

#### Week 3: vs. New York Giants

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Giants | 3 | 17 | 0 | 3 | 23 |
| Chargers | 7 | 14 | 14 | 10 | 45 |
at Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego, California
* Date: September 25
* Game time: 5:30 p.m. PDT
* Game weather: 68 °F (20 °C), relative humidity 71%, wind 8 mph
* Game attendance: 65,373
* Referee: Walt Anderson
* TV announcers (ESPN): Mike Patrick, Joe Theismann, Paul Maguire and Suzy Kolber
* Box score
Game information :
First quarter
NYG – Jay Feely 22-yard field goal, 8:28. Giants 3–0. Drive: 12 plays, 75 yards, 6:32.
SDG – LaDainian Tomlinson 1-yard run (Nate Kaeding kick), 4:23. Chargers 7–3. Drive: 8 plays, 65 yards, 4:05.
Second quarter
SDG – Keenan McCardell 15-yard pass from Drew Brees (Nate Kaeding kick), 13:05. Chargers 14–3. Drive: 7 plays, 85 yards, 3:55.
SDG – LaDainian Tomlinson 3-yard run (Nate Kaeding kick), 9:35. Chargers 21–3. Drive: 6 plays, 62 yards, 2:46.
NYG – Plaxico Burress 5-yard pass from Eli Manning (Jay Feely kick), 3:34. Chargers 21–10. Drive: 9 plays, 65 yards, 6:01.
NYG – David Tyree 4-yard pass from Eli Manning (Jay Feely kick), 1:55. Chargers 21–17. Drive: 2 plays, 34 yards, 0:18.
NYG – Jay Feely 40-yard field goal, 0:11. Chargers 21–20. Drive: 8 plays, 58 yards, 1:12.
Third quarter
SDG – Keenan McCardell 26-yard pass from LaDainian Tomlinson (Nate Kaeding kick), 13:08. Chargers 28–20. Drive: 4 plays, 70 yards, 1:52.
SDG – Antonio Gates 14-yard pass from Drew Brees (Nate Kaeding kick), 2:59. Chargers 35–20. Drive: 11 plays, 77 yards, 6:48.
Fourth quarter
NYG – Jay Feely 28-yard field goal, 12:14. Chargers 35–23. Drive: 16 plays, 59 yards, 5:45.
SDG – LaDainian Tomlinson 5-yard run (Nate Kaeding kick), 8:30. Chargers 42–23. Drive: 6 plays, 39 yards, 3:44.
NYG – Nate Kaeding 44-yard field goal, 3:55. Chargers 45–23. Drive: 5 plays, 65 yards, 2:38.
Top passers
NYG – Eli Manning – 24/41, 352 yards, 2 TD
SDG – Drew Brees – 19/22, 191 yards, 2 TD
Top rushers
NYG – Tiki Barber – 15 rushes, 60 yards
SDG – LaDainian Tomlinson – 21 rushes, 192 yards, 3 TD
Top receivers
NYG – Jeremy Shockey – 6 receptions, 101 yards
SDG – Antonio Gates – 6 receptions, 92 yards, TD :

#### Week 4: at New England Patriots

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Chargers | 3 | 14 | 14 | 10 | 41 |
| Patriots | 7 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 17 |
at Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts
* Date: October 2
* Game time: 1:02 p.m. EDT
* Game weather: 73 °F (23 °C), relative humidity 51%, no wind
* Game attendance: 68,756
* Referee: Bill Leavy
* TV announcers (CBS): Jim Nantz, Phil Simms and Bonnie Bernstein
* Box score
Game information :
First quarter
SDG – Nate Kaeding 42-yard field goal, 6:22. Chargers 3–0. Drive: 7 plays, 49 yards, 3:55.
NE – Corey Dillon 1-yard run (Adam Vinatieri kick), 1:34. Patriots 7–3. Drive: 9 plays, 70 yards, 4:48.
Second quarter
SDG – Keenan McCardell 11-yard pass from Drew Brees (Nate Kaeding kick), 6:21. Chargers 10–7. Drive: 9 plays, 57 yards, 5:31.
NE – Tim Dwight 30-yard pass from Tom Brady (Adam Vinatieri kick), 5:29. Patriots 14–10. Drive: 2 plays, 44 yards, 0:52.
SDG – LaDainian Tomlinson 8-yard run (Nate Kaeding kick), 2:47. Chargers 17–14. Drive: 5 plays, 78 yards, 2:42.
NE – Adam Vinatieri 24-yard field goal, 0:21. Tied 17–17. Drive: 14 plays, 77 yards, 2:26.
Third quarter
SDG – LaDainian Tomlinson 1-yard run (Nate Kaeding kick), 6:16. Chargers 24–17. Drive: 9 plays, 80 yards, 4:38.
SDG – Reche Caldwell 28-yard pass from Drew Brees (Nate Kaeding kick), 0:19. Chargers 31–17. Drive: 8 plays, 75 yards, 4:17.
Fourth quarter
SDG – Nate Kaeding 21-yard field goal, 4:44. Chargers 34–17. Drive: 15 plays, 72 yards, 8:55.
SDG – Clinton Hart 40-yard interception return (Nate Kaeding kick), 0:34. Chargers 41–17.
Top passers
SDG – Drew Brees – 19/24, 248 yards, 2 TD
NE – Tom Brady – 19/32, 224 yards, TD, INT
Top rushers
SDG – LaDainian Tomlinson – 25 rushes, 134 yards, 2 TD
NE – Corey Dillon – 14 rushes, 63 yards, TD
Top receivers
SDG – Antonio Gates – 6 receptions, 108 yards
NE – David Givens – 6 receptions, 66 yards :

#### Week 5: vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Steelers | 0 | 14 | 0 | 10 | 24 |
| Chargers | 0 | 7 | 6 | 9 | 22 |
at Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego, California
* Date: October 10
* Game time: 6:00 p.m. PDT
* Game weather: 64 °F (18 °C), relative humidity 59%, wind 8 mph
* Game attendance: 68,537
* Referee: Jeff Triplette
* TV announcers (ABC): Al Michaels, John Madden and Sam Ryan
* Box score
Game information :
First quarter
No scoring plays.
Second quarter
PIT – Ben Roethlisberger 7-yard run (Jeff Reed kick), 9:14. Steelers 7–0. Drive: 9 plays, 84 yards, 5:33.
PIT – Jerome Bettis 1-yard run (Jeff Reed kick), 1:37. Steelers 14–0. Drive: 7 plays, 41 yards, 2:56.
SDG – Antonio Gates 11-yard pass from Drew Brees (Nate Kaeding kick), 0:34. Steelers 14–7. Drive: 4 plays, 47 yards, 1:03.
Third quarter
SDG – Nate Kaeding 34-yard field goal, 9:42. Steelers 14–10. Drive: 7 plays, 47 yards, 2:13.
SDG – Nate Kaeding 32-yard field goal, 3:54. Steelers 14–13. Drive: 8 plays, 45 yards, 2:53.
Fourth quarter
SDG – Nate Kaeding 41-yard field goal, 11:41. Chargers 16–14. Drive: 6 plays, 62 yards, 3:50.
PIT – Heath Miller 16-yard pass from Ben Roethlisberger (Jeff Reed kick), 10:30. Steelers 21–16. Drive: 3 plays, 62 yards, 1:11.
SDG – LaDainian Tomlinson 2-yard run (run failed), 4:42. Chargers 22–21. Drive: 11 plays, 62 yards, 5:48.
PIT – Jeff Reed 40-yard field goal, 0:06. Chargers 24–22. Drive: 11 plays, 40 yards, 4:36.
Top passers
PIT – Ben Roethlisberger – 17/26, 225 yards, TD
SDG – Drew Brees – 20/35, 219 yards, TD, INT
Top rushers
PIT – Jerome Bettis – 17 rushes, 54 yards, TD
SDG – LaDainian Tomlinson – 18 rushes, 62 yards, TD
Top receivers
PIT – Hines Ward – 6 receptions, 83 yards
SDG – Eric Parker – 5 receptions, 72 yards :

#### Week 6: at Oakland Raiders

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Chargers | 14 | 10 | 3 | 0 | 27 |
| Raiders | 7 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 14 |
at McAfee Coliseum, Oakland, California
* Date: October 16
* Game time: 1:15 p.m. PDT
* Game weather: 64 °F (18 °C), relative humidity 67%, wind 7 mph
* Game attendance: 52,666
* Referee: Tom White
* TV announcers (CBS): Gus Johnson and Steve Tasker
* Box score
Game information :
First quarter
SDG – LaDainian Tomlinson 35-yard pass from Drew Brees (Nate Kaeding kick), 8:42. Chargers 7–0. Drive: 7 plays, 70 yards, 3:48.
SDG – LaDainian Tomlinson 7-yard run (Nate Kaeding kick), 4:02. Chargers 14–0. Drive: 6 plays, 55 yards, 4:19.
OAK – LaMont Jordan 4-yard run (Sebastian Janikowski kick), 0:57. Chargers 14–7. Drive: 8 plays, 66 yards, 3:05.
Second quarter
SDG – Nate Kaeding 32-yard field goal, 10:25. Chargers 17–7. Drive: 11 plays, 59 yards, 5:32.
SDG – Justin Peelle 4-yard pass from LaDainian Tomlinson (Nate Kaeding kick), 2:39. Chargers 24–7. Drive: 11 plays, 84 yards, 6:17.
Third quarter
SDG – Nate Kaeding 33-yard field goal, 6:02. Chargers 27–7. Drive: 6 plays, 41 yards, 2:56.
OAK – LaMont Jordan 1-yard run (Sebastian Janikowski kick), 0:34. Chargers 27–14. Drive: 13 plays, 76 yards, 5:28.
Fourth quarter
No scoring plays.
Top passers
SDG – Drew Brees – 14/20, 164 yards, TD
OAK – Kerry Collins – 24/48, 292 yards, INT
Top rushers
SDG – LaDainian Tomlinson – 31 rushes, 140 yards, TD
OAK – LaMont Jordan – 12 rushes, 36 yards, 2 TD
Top receivers
SDG – LaDainian Tomlinson – 2 receptions, 39 yards, TD
OAK – Doug Gabriel – 5 receptions, 84 yards :

#### Week 7: at Philadelphia Eagles

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Chargers | 0 | 0 | 7 | 10 | 17 |
| Eagles | 0 | 7 | 3 | 10 | 20 |
at Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
* Date: October 23
* Game time: 1:02 p.m. EDT
* Game weather: 53 °F (12 °C), relative humidity 45%, wind 17 mph
* Game attendance: 67,747
* Referee: Ron Winter
* TV announcers (CBS): Dick Enberg, Dan Dierdorf and Armen Keteyian
* Box score
Game information :
First quarter
No scoring plays.
Second quarter
PHI – Terrell Owens 4-yard pass from Donovan McNabb (Todd France kick), 4:47. Eagles 7–0. Drive: 13 plays, 76 yards, 5:28.
Third quarter
PHI – Todd France 23-yard field goal, 9:42. Eagles 10–0. Drive: 13 plays, 76 yards, 5:28.
SDG – Keenan McCardell 19-yard pass from Drew Brees (Nate Kaeding kick), 3:21. Eagles 10–7. Drive: 6 plays, 41 yards, 2:56.
Fourth quarter
SDG – Antonio Gates 8-yard pass from Drew Brees (Nate Kaeding kick), 13:48. Chargers 14–10. Drive: 6 plays, 41 yards, 2:56.
SDG – Nate Kaeding 34-yard field goal, 9:21. Chargers 17–10. Drive: 6 plays, 41 yards, 2:56.
PHI – Todd France 40-yard field goal, 6:24. Chargers 17–13. Drive: 13 plays, 76 yards, 5:28.
PHI – Matt Ware 65-yard blocked field goal return (Todd France kick), 2:25. Eagles 20–17.
Top passers
SDG – Drew Brees – 23/40, 299 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT
PHI – Donovan McNabb – 35/54, 287 yards, TD, 2 INT
Top rushers
SDG – Drew Brees – 1 rush, 9 yards
PHI – Brian Westbrook – 10 rushes, 25 yards
Top receivers
SDG – Reche Caldwell – 4 receptions, 97 yards
PHI – Brian Westbrook – 10 receptions, 75 yards :

#### Week 8: vs. Kansas City Chiefs

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Chiefs | 0 | 3 | 7 | 10 | 20 |
| Chargers | 7 | 14 | 0 | 7 | 28 |
at Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego, California
* Date: October 30
* Game time: 1:05 p.m. PST
* Game weather: 73 °F (23 °C), relative humidity 64%, wind 8 mph
* Game attendance: 65,750
* Referee: Ed Hochuli
* TV announcers (CBS): Jim Nantz, Phil Simms and Bonnie Bernstein
* Box score
Game information :
First quarter
SDG – Antonio Gates 19-yard pass from Drew Brees (Nate Kaeding kick), 4:30. Chargers 7–0. Drive: 9 plays, 81 yards, 4:03.
Second quarter
SDG – Eric Parker 17-yard pass from LaDainian Tomlinson (Nate Kaeding kick), 14:56. Chargers 14–0. Drive: 9 plays, 82 yards, 3:20.
KAN – Lawrence Tynes 34-yard field goal, 1:56. Chargers 14–3. Drive: 6 plays, 53 yards, 3:28.
SDG – Antonio Gates 20-yard pass from Drew Brees (Nate Kaeding kick), 0:27. Chargers 21–3. Drive: 5 plays, 74 yards, 1:29.
Third quarter
KAN – Tony Gonzalez 16-yard pass from Trent Green (Lawrence Tynes kick), 6:45. Chargers 21–10. Drive: 6 plays, 91 yards, 2:21.
Fourth quarter
KAN – Lawrence Tynes 20-yard field goal, 12:00. Chargers 21–13. Drive: 6 plays, 33 yards, 3:00.
SDG – Antonio Gates 35-yard pass from Drew Brees (Nate Kaeding kick), 9:10. Chargers 28–13. Drive: 5 plays, 53 yards, 2:50.
KAN – Eddie Kennison 7-yard pass from Trent Green (Lawrence Tynes kick), 2:12. Chargers 28–20. Drive: 7 plays, 64 yards, 1:37.
Top passers
KAN – Trent Green – 31/43, 347 yards, 2 TD
SDG – Drew Brees – 25/43, 324 yards, 3 TD, INT
Top rushers
KAN – Larry Johnson – 6 rushes, 55 yards
SDG – LaDainian Tomlinson – 17 rushes, 69 yards
Top receivers
KAN – Eddie Kennison – 7 receptions, 115 yards, TD
SDG – Antonio Gates – 10 receptions, 145 yards, 3 TD :

#### Week 9: at New York Jets

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Chargers | 14 | 7 | 7 | 3 | 31 |
| Jets | 0 | 10 | 3 | 13 | 26 |
at Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey
* Date: November 6
* Game time: 1:02 p.m. EST
* Game weather: 63 °F (17 °C), relative humidity 78%, wind 12 mph
* Game attendance: 77,662
* Referee: Walt Coleman
* TV announcers (CBS): Dick Enberg, Dan Dierdorf and Armen Keteyian
* Box score
Game information :
First quarter
SDG – LaDainian Tomlinson 4-yard run (Nate Kaeding kick), 7:44. Chargers 7–0. Drive: 7 plays, 59 yards, 3:50.
SDG – LaDainian Tomlinson 25-yard pass from Drew Brees (Nate Kaeding kick), 2:21. Chargers 14–0. Drive: 8 plays, 80 yards, 3:39.
Second quarter
NYJ – Curtis Martin 1-yard run (Mike Nugent kick), 14:57. Chargers 14–7. Drive: 5 plays, 62 yards, 2:24.
SDG – LaDainian Tomlinson 1-yard run (Nate Kaeding kick), 7:54. Chargers 21–7. Drive: 10 plays, 75 yards, 7:03.
NYJ – Mike Nugent 35-yard field goal, 3:37. Chargers 21–10. Drive: 8 plays, 43 yards, 4:17.
Third quarter
NYJ – Mike Nugent 22-yard field goal, 11:10. Chargers 21–13. Drive: 4 plays, 43 yards, 2:16.
SDG – LaDainian Tomlinson 1-yard run (Nate Kaeding kick), 3:51. Chargers 28–13. Drive: 9 plays, 55 yards, 4:34.
Fourth quarter
NYJ – Jerald Sowell 5-yard pass from Brooks Bollinger (Mike Nugent kick), 12:27. Chargers 28–20. Drive: 13 plays, 75 yards, 6:24.
SDG – Nate Kaeding 18-yard field goal, 8:35. Chargers 31–20. Drive: 7 plays, 49 yards, 3:52.
NYJ – Laveranues Coles 8-yard pass from Brooks Bollinger (pass failed), 6:14. Chargers 31–26. Drive: 7 plays, 48 yards, 2:21.
Top passers
SDG – Drew Brees – 20/27, 270 yards, TD, INT
NYJ – Brooks Bollinger – 11/20, 106 yards, 2 TD
Top rushers
SDG – LaDainian Tomlinson – 25 rushes, 107 yards, 3 TD
NYJ – Curtis Martin – 21 rushes, 72 yards, TD
Top receivers
SDG – Antonio Gates – 8 receptions, 132 yards
NYJ – Laveranues Coles – 6 receptions, 64 yards, TD :

#### Week 11: vs. Buffalo Bills

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Bills | 3 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| Chargers | 14 | 21 | 3 | 10 | 48 |
at Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego, California
* Date: November 20
* Game time: 1:15 p.m. PST
* Game weather: 78 °F (26 °C), relative humidity 33%, wind 10 mph
* Game attendance: 65,602
* Referee: Bill Leavy
* TV announcers (CBS): Gus Johnson, Steve Tasker and Scott Kaplan
* Box score
Game information :
First quarter
SDG – LaDainian Tomlinson 1-yard run (Nate Kaeding kick), 9:31. Chargers 7–0. Drive: 9 plays, 75 yards, 5:29.
BUF – Rian Lindell 53-yard field goal, 6:40. Chargers 7–3. Drive: 6 plays, 12 yards, 2:51.
SDG – Antonio Gates 27-yard pass from Drew Brees (Nate Kaeding kick), 0:32. Chargers 14–3. Drive: 10 plays, 72 yards, 6:08.
Second quarter
SDG – Eric Parker 23-yard pass from Drew Brees (Nate Kaeding kick), 7:22. Chargers 21–3. Drive: 8 plays, 70 yards, 3:54.
SDG – Lorenzo Neal 2-yard pass from Drew Brees (Nate Kaeding kick), 3:12. Chargers 28–3. Drive: 6 plays, 22 yards, 3:56.
BUF – Daimon Shelton 3-yard pass from J. P. Losman (Rian Lindell kick), 1:23. Chargers 28–10. Drive: 8 plays, 55 yards, 1:49.
SDG – Keenan McCardell 29-yard pass from Drew Brees (Nate Kaeding kick), 0:37. Chargers 35–10. Drive: 6 plays, 83 yards, 0:46.
Third quarter
SDG – Nate Kaeding 28-yard field goal, 4:01. Chargers 38–10. Drive: 11 plays, 75 yards, 6:31.
Fourth quarter
SDG – Nate Kaeding 38-yard field goal, 14:14. Chargers 41–10. Drive: 5 plays, 21 yards, 2:02.
SDG – Michael Turner 8-yard run (Nate Kaeding kick), 4:06. Chargers 48–10. Drive: 10 plays, 64 yards, 7:03.
Top passers
BUF – J. P. Losman – 20/36, 168 yards, TD, INT
SDG – Drew Brees – 28/33, 339 yards, 4 TD
Top rushers
BUF – Willis McGahee – 4 rushes, 69 yards
SDG – LaDainian Tomlinson – 19 rushes, 67 yards, TD
Top receivers
BUF – Lee Evans – 7 receptions, 115 yards, TD
SDG – Keenan McCardell – 6 receptions, 88 yards, TD :

#### Week 12: at Washington Redskins

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | OT | Total |
| Chargers | 0 | 7 | 0 | 10 | 6 | 23 |
| Redskins | 3 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 17 |
at FedExField, Summerfield, Maryland
* Date: November 27
* Game time: 1:02 p.m. EST
* Game weather: 52 °F (11 °C), relative humidity 61%, no wind
* Game attendance: 84,930
* Referee: Walt Anderson
* TV announcers (CBS): Kevin Harlan and Randy Cross
* Box score
Game information :
First quarter
WAS – John Hall 38-yard field goal, 5:22. Redskins 3–0. Drive: 6 plays, 23 yards, 2:31.
Second quarter
SDG – LaDainian Tomlinson 1-yard run (Nate Kaeding kick), 10:31. Chargers 7–3. Drive: 8 plays, 57 yards, 3:47.
WAS – Santana Moss 22-yard pass from Mark Brunell (John Hall kick), 7:23. Redskins 10–7. Drive: 7 plays, 69 yards, 3:08.
Third quarter
WAS – Rock Cartwright 13-yard run (John Hall kick), 3:14. Redskins 17–7. Drive: 9 plays, 79 yards, 4:58.
Fourth quarter
SDG – Nate Kaeding 48-yard field goal, 14:08. Redskins 17–10. Drive: 11 plays, 47 yards, 4:06.
SDG – LaDainian Tomlinson 32-yard run (Nate Kaeding kick), 3:29. Tied 17–17. Drive: 3 plays, 67 yards, 1:07.
Overtime
SDG – LaDainian Tomlinson 41-yard run, 14:26. Chargers 23–17. Drive: 2 plays, 65 yards, 0:34.
Top passers
SDG – Drew Brees – 22/44, 215 yards, 3 INT
WAS – Mark Brunell – 17/27, 194 yards, TD
Top rushers
SDG – LaDainian Tomlinson – 25 rushes, 184 yards, 3 TD
WAS – Clinton Portis – 29 rushes, 87 yards
Top receivers
SDG – Eric Parker – 7 receptions, 98 yards
WAS – Santana Moss – 6 receptions, 65 yards, TD :

#### Week 13: vs. Oakland Raiders

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Raiders | 3 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| Chargers | 3 | 14 | 7 | 10 | 34 |
at Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego, California
* Date: December 4
* Game time: 5:35 p.m. PST
* Game weather: 56 °F (13 °C), relative humidity 53%, wind 8 mph
* Game attendance: 66,436
* Referee: Bill Vinovich
* TV announcers (CBS): Mike Patrick, Joe Theismann, Paul Maguire and Suzy Kolber
* Box score
Game information :
First quarter
OAK – Sebastian Janikowski 37-yard field goal, 11:33. Raiders 3–0. Drive: 9 plays, 48 yards, 3:27.
SDG – Nate Kaeding 41-yard field goal, 8:49. Tied 3–3. Drive: 9 plays, 37 yards, 2:44.
Second quarter
SDG – Antonio Gates 6-yard pass from Drew Brees (Nate Kaeding kick), 11:14. Chargers 10–3. Drive: 7 plays, 34 yards, 4:15.
OAK – Courtney Anderson 16-yard pass from Kerry Collins (Sebastian Janikowski kick), 6:59. Tied 10–10. Drive: 8 plays, 67 yards, 4:15.
SDG – Michael Turner 2-yard run (Nate Kaeding kick), 0:18. Chargers 17–10. Drive: 13 plays, 72 yards, 6:41.
Third quarter
SDG – Eric Parker 1-yard pass from Drew Brees (Nate Kaeding kick), 4:55. Chargers 24–10. Drive: 13 plays, 57 yards, 7:32.
Fourth quarter
SDG – Nate Kaeding 32-yard field goal, 13:33. Chargers 27–10. Drive: 10 plays, 51 yards, 5:53.
SDG – Clinton Hart 70-yard interception return (Nate Kaeding kick), 6:29. Chargers 34–10.
Top passers
OAK – Kerry Collins – 22/40, 236 yards, TD, INT
SDG – Drew Brees – 17/22, 160 yards, 2 TD
Top rushers
OAK – LaMont Jordan – 15 rushes, 55 yards
SDG – LaDainian Tomlinson – 25 rushes, 86 yards
Top receivers
OAK – Randy Moss – 7 receptions, 74 yards
SDG – Keenan McCardell – 4 receptions, 60 yards :

#### Week 14: vs. Miami Dolphins

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Dolphins | 0 | 3 | 17 | 3 | 23 |
| Chargers | 7 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 21 |
at Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego, California
* Date: December 11
* Game time: 1:15 p.m. PST
* Game weather: 69 °F (21 °C), relative humidity 23%, wind 8 mph
* Game attendance: 65,026
* Referee: Tony Corrente
* TV announcers (CBS): Gus Johnson, Steve Tasker and Scott Kaplan
* Box score
Game information :
First quarter
SDG – Keenan McCardell 8-yard pass from Drew Brees (Nate Kaeding kick), 2:40. Chargers 7–0. Drive: 15 plays, 62 yards, 7:44.
Second quarter
MIA – Olindo Mare 29-yard field goal, 3:39. Chargers 7–3. Drive: 9 plays, 57 yards, 3:59.
Third quarter
MIA – Olindo Mare 39-yard field goal, 11:43. Chargers 7–6. Drive: 8 plays, 53 yards, 3:17.
MIA – Chris Chambers 8-yard pass from Gus Frerotte (Olindo Mare kick), 10:35. Dolphins 13–7. Drive: 3 plays, 24 yards, 1:01.
MIA – Chris Chambers 35-yard pass from Gus Frerotte (Olindo Mare kick), 3:26. Dolphins 20–7. Drive: 6 plays, 87 yards, 2:51.
Fourth quarter
SDG – Drew Brees 4-yard run (Nate Kaeding kick), 10:34. Dolphins 20–14. Drive: 13 plays, 73 yards, 7:52.
MIA – Olindo Mare 20-yard field goal, 1:11. Dolphins 23–14. Drive: 7 plays, 21 yards, 1:20.
SDG – Antonio Gates 8-yard pass from Drew Brees (Nate Kaeding kick), 0:15. Dolphins 23–21. Drive: 8 plays, 56 yards, 0:56.
Top passers
MIA – Gus Frerotte – 14/22, 229 yards, 2 TD
SDG – Drew Brees – 35/52, 279 yards, 2 TD, INT
Top rushers
MIA – Ronnie Brown – 11 rushes, 30 yards
SDG – LaDainian Tomlinson – 21 rushes, 75 yards
Top receivers
MIA – Chris Chambers – 8 receptions, 121 yards, 2 TD
SDG – Antonio Gates – 13 receptions, 123 yards, TD :

#### Week 15: at Indianapolis Colts

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Chargers | 10 | 3 | 3 | 10 | 26 |
| Colts | 0 | 0 | 17 | 0 | 17 |
at RCA Dome, Indianapolis, Indiana
* Date: December 18
* Game time: 1:02 p.m. EST
* Game weather: N/A (game played indoors)
* Game attendance: 57,389
* Referee: Terry McAulay
* TV announcers (CBS): Dick Enberg, Dan Dierdorf and Armen Keteyian
* Box score
Game information :
First quarter
SDG – Keenan McCardell 29-yard pass from Drew Brees (Nate Kaeding kick), 9:13. Chargers 7–0. Drive: 5 plays, 42 yards, 1:50.
SDG – Nate Kaeding 36-yard field goal, 1:56. Chargers 10–0. Drive: 8 plays, 64 yards, 4:20.
Second quarter
SDG – Nate Kaeding 20-yard field goal, 0:15. Chargers 13–0. Drive: 18 plays, 91 yards, 8:18.
Third quarter
SDG – Nate Kaeding 48-yard field goal, 9:30. Chargers 16–0. Drive: 10 plays, 40 yards, 4:19.
IND – Mike Vanderjagt 32-yard field goal, 6:41. Chargers 16–3. Drive: 9 plays, 56 yards, 2:49.
IND – Edgerrin James 1-yard run (Mike Vanderjagt kick), 3:42. Chargers 16–10. Drive: 2 plays, 26 yards, 0:52.
IND – Dallas Clark 1-yard pass from Peyton Manning (Mike Vanderjagt kick), 0:40. Colts 17–16. Drive: 3 plays, 4 yards, 0:47.
Fourth quarter
SDG – Nate Kaeding 49-yard field goal, 6:41. Chargers 19–17. Drive: 7 plays, 61 yards, 3:28.
SDG – Michael Turner 83-yard run (Nate Kaeding kick), 2:09. Chargers 26–17. Drive: 2 plays, 80 yards, 0:19.
Top passers
SDG – Drew Brees – 22/33, 255 yards, TD, 2 INT
IND – Peyton Manning – 26/45, 336 yards, TD, 2 INT
Top rushers
SDG – Michael Turner – 8 rushes, 113 yards, TD
IND – Edgerrin James – 13 rushes, 25 yards, TD
Top receivers
SDG – Keenan McCardell – 3 receptions, 88 yards, TD
IND – Marvin Harrison – 8 receptions, 135 yards :

#### Week 16: at Kansas City Chiefs

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Chargers | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
| Chiefs | 7 | 13 | 0 | 0 | 20 |
at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri
* Date: December 24
* Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST
* Game weather: 42 °F (6 °C), relative humidity 89%, wind 10 mph
* Game attendance: 75,956
* Referee: Mike Carey
* TV announcers (CBS): Kevin Harlan and Randy Cross
* Box score
Game information :
First quarter
KAN – Larry Johnson 4-yard run (Lawrence Tynes kick), 9:28. Chiefs 7–0. Drive: 6 plays, 43 yards, 2:58.
SDG – Antonio Gates 18-yard pass from Drew Brees (Nate Kaeding kick), 4:06. Tied 7–7. Drive: 10 plays, 75 yards, 5:22.
Second quarter
KAN – Samie Parker 42-yard pass from Trent Green (Lawrence Tynes kick), 14:53. Chiefs 14–7. Drive: 8 plays, 67 yards, 4:13.
KAN – Larry Johnson 28-yard pass from Trent Green (kick failed), 1:45. Chiefs 20–7. Drive: 6 plays, 57 yards, 2:37.
Third quarter
No scoring plays.
Fourth quarter
No scoring plays.
Top passers
SDG – Drew Brees – 18/33, 161 yards, TD, INT
KAN – Trent Green – 19/35, 207 yards, 2 TD
Top rushers
SDG – LaDainian Tomlinson – 14 rushes, 47 yards
KAN – Larry Johnson – 32 rushes, 131 yards, TD
Top receivers
SDG – Keenan McCardell – 6 receptions, 58 yards
KAN – Tony Gonzalez – 5 receptions, 58 yards KAN – Samie Parker – 4 receptions, 58 yards, TD :

#### Week 17: vs. Denver Broncos

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Broncos | 0 | 14 | 2 | 7 | 23 |
| Chargers | 0 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
at Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego, California
* Date: December 31
* Game time: 1:35 p.m. PST
* Game weather: 61 °F (16 °C), relative humidity 63%, wind 8 mph
* Game attendance: 65,513
* Referee: Scott Green
* TV announcers (CBS): Jim Nantz, Phil Simms and Bonnie Bernstein
* Box score
Game information :
First quarter
No scoring plays.
Second quarter
DEN – Tatum Bell 6-yard run (Jason Elam kick), 11:48. Broncos 7–0. Drive: 12 plays, 57 yards, 5:16.
DEN – Tatum Bell 1-yard run (Jason Elam kick), 3:24. Broncos 14–0. Drive: 12 plays, 57 yards, 5:16.
SDG – LaDainian Tomlinson 6-yard run (Nate Kaeding kick), 0:38. Broncos 14–7. Drive: 11 plays, 80 yards, 5:45.
Third quarter
DEN – Safety, Demetrin Veal tackled Shane Olivea in end zone, 5:30. Broncos 16–7.
Fourth quarter
DEN – Tatum Bell 19-yard run (Jason Elam kick), 4:32. Broncos 23–7. Drive: 12 plays, 57 yards, 5:16.
Top passers
DEN – Jake Plummer – 8/14, 91 yards
SDG – Philip Rivers – 12/22, 115 yards, INT
Top rushers
DEN – Ron Dayne – 13 rushes, 64 yards
SDG – LaDainian Tomlinson – 19 rushes, 92 yards, TD
Top receivers
DEN – Kyle Johnson – 2 receptions, 27 yards
SDG – Eric Parker – 8 receptions, 87 yards :

### Standings

AFC West :
| viewtalkedit | W | L | T | PCT | DIV | CONF | PF | PA | STK |
| $^{(2)}$ Denver Broncos | 13 | 3 | 0 | .813 | 5–1 | 10–2 | 395 | 258 | W4 |
| Kansas City Chiefs | 10 | 6 | 0 | .625 | 4–2 | 9–3 | 403 | 325 | W2 |
| San Diego Chargers | 9 | 7 | 0 | .563 | 3–3 | 7–5 | 418 | 321 | L2 |
| Oakland Raiders | 4 | 12 | 0 | .250 | 0–6 | 2–10 | 290 | 383 | L6 |