# 1973 San Diego Chargers season

The 1973 San Diego Chargers season was the franchise's fourth season in the National Football League (NFL), and its 14th overall.
The team was coming off a season that ended with a 4–9–1 record. Although he was offered a five-year contract toward the end of the previous season, 1973 would prove to be Harland Svare's final season as the team's head coach.
The team obtained quarterback Johnny Unitas in a trade with the Baltimore Colts, but Unitas was a shell of his former greatness. In the middle of the season he was replaced at quarterback by a rookie Dan Fouts, the team's third-round pick in that year's draft.

## Offseason
### NFL draft

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

## Regular season
### Schedule

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

### Game summaries
#### Week 1: at Washington Redskins

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Chargers | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Redskins | 21 | 0 | 7 | 10 | 38 |
at Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium, Washington, D.C.
* Date: September 16
* Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT
* Game weather: 73 °F (22.8 °C), relative humidity 59%, wind 6 mph
* Game attendance: 53,589
* Referee: Norm Schachter
* Box score
Game information :
First quarter
WAS – Verlon Biggs 2-yard fumble return (Curt Knight kick), 9:03. Redskins 7–0.
WAS – Larry Brown 1-yard run (Curt Knight kick), 5:08. Redskins 14–0. Drive: 3 plays, 22 yards, 0:53.
WAS – Brig Owens 36-yard fumble return (Curt Knight kick), 0:57. Redskins 21–0.
Second quarter
No scoring plays.
Third quarter
WAS – Charley Taylor 32-yard pass from Billy Kilmer (Curt Knight kick), 11:07. Redskins 28–0. Drive: 7 plays, 80 yards, 3:53.
Fourth quarter
WAS – Curt Knight 19-yard field goal, 14:09. Redskins 31–0. Drive: 4 plays, 3 yards, 0:51.
WAS – Frank Grant 12-yard pass from Billy Kilmer (Curt Knight kick), 9:50. Redskins 38–0. Drive: 5 plays, 52 yards, 3:15.
Top passers
SDG – Johnny Unitas – 6/17, 55 yards, 3 INT
WAS – Billy Kilmer – 10/18, 129 yards, 2 TD
Top rushers
SDG – Cid Edwards – 14 rushes, 63 yards
WAS – Duane Thomas – 12 rushes, 30 yards
Top receivers
SDG – Gary Garrison – 2 receptions, 36 yards
WAS – Charley Taylor – 3 receptions, 60 yards, TD :

#### Week 2: vs. Buffalo Bills

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Bills | 0 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
| Chargers | 7 | 7 | 14 | 6 | 34 |
at San Diego Stadium, San Diego, California
* Date: September 23
* Game time: 1:00 p.m. PDT
* Game weather: 67 °F (19.4 °C), relative humidity 71%, wind 10 mph
* Game attendance: 47,588
* Referee: Jack Reader
* Box score
Game information :
First quarter
SDG – Ron Smith 72-yard punt return (Ray Wersching kick), 5:09. Chargers 7–0.
Second quarter
BUF – O. J. Simpson 6-yard run (John Leypoldt kick), 9:50. Tied 7–7. Drive: 6 plays, 53 yards, 1:22.
SDG – Robert Holmes 1-yard run (Ray Wersching kick), 6:33. Chargers 14–7. Drive: 9 plays, 67 yards, 3:17.
Third quarter
SDG – Gary Garrison 26-yard pass from Johnny Unitas (Ray Wersching kick), 12:31. Chargers 21–7. Drive: 2 plays, 27 yards, 0:44.
SDG – Jim Thaxton 12-yard pass from Johnny Unitas (Ray Wersching kick), 0:11. Chargers 28–8. Drive: 10 plays, 80 yards, 4:53.
Fourth quarter
SDG – Robert Holmes 4-yard run (kick blocked), 8:16. Chargers 34–7. Drive: 2 plays, 35 yards, 0:54.
Top passers
BUF – Dennis Shaw – 7/15, 106 yards, 2 INT
SDG – Johnny Unitas – 10/18, 175 yards, 2 TD
Top rushers
BUF – O. J. Simpson – 22 rushes, 103 yards, TD
SDG – Clint Jones – 7 rushes, 42 yards
Top receivers
BUF – J. D. Hill – 7 receptions, 118 yards
SDG – Dave Williams – 5 receptions, 86 yards :

#### Week 3: vs. Cincinnati Bengals

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Bengals | 7 | 6 | 7 | 0 | 20 |
| Chargers | 3 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 13 |
at San Diego Stadium, San Diego, California
* Date: September 30
* Game time: 1:00 p.m. PDT
* Game weather: 67 °F (19.4 °C), relative humidity 70%, wind 9 mph
* Game attendance: 46,733
* Referee: Chuck Heberling
* Box score
Game information :
First quarter
SDG – Ray Wersching 39-yard field goal, 7:08. Chargers 3–0. Drive: 4 plays, -5 yards, 2:00.
CIN – Essex Johnson 78-yard pass from Ken Anderson (Horst Muhlmann kick), 0:16. Bengals 7–3. Drive: 3 plays, 80 yards, 1:26.
Second quarter
CIN – Boobie Clark 1-yard run (kick failed), 11:07. Bengals 13–3. Drive: 5 plays, 36 yards, 2:13.
Third quarter
CIN – Essex Johnson 38-yard pass from Ken Anderson (Horst Muhlmann kick), 10:55. Bengals 20–3. Drive: 7 plays, 86 yards, 4:05.
Fourth quarter
SDG – Ray Wersching 13-yard field goal, 12:07. Bengals 20–6. Drive: 13 plays, 63 yards, 6:37.
SDG – Bob Thomas 8-yard pass from Johnny Unitas (Ray Wersching kick), 6:31. Bengals 20–13. Drive: 4 plays, 62 yards, 1:01.
Top passers
CIN – Ken Anderson – 10/17, 222 yards, 2 TD
SDG – Johnny Unitas – 15/31, 215 yards, TD, 2 INT
Top rushers
CIN – Essex Johnson – 21 rushes, 121 yards
SDG – Mike Garrett – 21 rushes, 79 yards
Top receivers
CIN – Essex Johnson – 2 receptions, 116 yards, 2 TD
SDG – Gary Garrison – 4 receptions, 117 yards :

#### Week 4: at Pittsburgh Steelers

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Chargers | 0 | 0 | 0 | 21 | 21 |
| Steelers | 17 | 21 | 0 | 0 | 38 |
at Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
* Date: October 7
* Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT
* Game weather: 60 °F (15.6 °C), relative humidity 63%, wind 7 mph
* Game attendance: 48,795
* Referee: Pat Haggerty
* Box score
Game information :
First quarter
PIT – Ron Shanklin 12-yard pass from Terry Bradshaw (Roy Gerela kick), 10:22. Steelers 7–0. Drive: 8 plays, 67 yards, 4:38.
PIT – Terry Bradshaw 1-yard run (Roy Gerela kick), 5:08. Steelers 14–0. Drive: 11 plays, 50 yards, 4:35.
PIT – Roy Gerela 38-yard field goal, 0:31. Steelers 17–0.
Second quarter
PIT – Steve Davis 1-yard run (Roy Gerela kick), 13:16. Steelers 24–0. Drive: 4 plays, 1 yard, 1:26.
PIT – Mike Wagner blocked punt recovery in end zone (Roy Gerela kick), 8:43. Steelers 31–0.
PIT – Ron Shanklin 37-yard pass from Terry Hanratty (Roy Gerela kick), 5:14. Steelers 38–0. Drive: 2 plays, 38 yards, 0:50.
Third quarter
No scoring plays.
Fourth quarter
SDG – Jerry LeVias 13-yard pass from Dan Fouts (Ray Wersching kick), 14:50. Steelers 38–7. Drive: 12 plays, 73 yards, 5:56.
SDG – Clint Jones 3-yard run (Ray Wersching kick), 12:34. Steelers 38–14. Drive: 6 plays, 90 yards, 1:00.
SDG – Robert Holmes 1-yard run (Ray Wersching kick), 3:49. Steelers 38–21. Drive: 3 plays, 22 yards, 1:38.
Top passers
SDG – Dan Fouts – 11/21, 174 yards, TD, INT
PIT – Terry Bradshaw – 7/16, 99 yards, TD, INT
Top rushers
SDG – Cid Edwards – 13 rushes, 94 yards
PIT – Preston Pearson – 6 rushes, 64 yards
Top receivers
SDG – Clint Jones – 2 receptions, 51 yards
PIT – Frank Lewis – 4 receptions, 61 yards :

#### Week 5: vs. Oakland Raiders

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Raiders | 0 | 6 | 7 | 14 | 27 |
| Chargers | 3 | 0 | 14 | 0 | 17 |
at San Diego Stadium, San Diego, California
* Date: October 14
* Game time: 1:00 p.m. PDT
* Game weather: 66 °F (18.9 °C), relative humidity 71%, wind 8 mph
* Game attendance: 50,672
* Referee: John McDonough
* Box score
Game information :
First quarter
SDG – Ray Wersching 27-yard field goal, 6:31. Chargers 3–0. Drive: 10 plays, 52 yards, 4:20.
Second quarter
OAK – George Blanda 18-yard field goal, 7:30. Tied 3–3. Drive: 6 plays, 23 yards, 1:12.
OAK – George Blanda 15-yard field goal, 0:07. Raiders 6–3. Drive: 8 plays, 35 yards, 1:34.
Third quarter
SDG – Jim Thaxton 20-yard pass from Dan Fouts (Ray Wersching kick), 11:42. Chargers 10–6. Drive: 5 plays, 21 yards, 1:41.
OAK – Cliff Branch 54-yard pass from Ken Stabler (George Blanda kick), 8:51. Raiders 13–10. Drive: 6 plays, 80 yards, 2:51.
SDG – Jerry LeVias 36-yard pass from Dan Fouts (Ray Wersching kick), 0:21. Chargers 17–13. Drive: 14 plays, 80 yards, 8:30.
Fourth quarter
OAK – Marv Hubbard 1-yard run (George Blanda kick), 9:54. Raiders 20–17. Drive: 12 plays, 80 yards, 5:27.
OAK – Bob Moore 26-yard pass from Ken Stabler (George Blanda kick), 9:01. Raiders 27–17. Drive: 2 plays, 28 yards, 0:43.
Top passers
OAK – Ken Stabler – 13/22, 193 yards, 2 TD, INT
SDG – Dan Fouts – 12/30, 183 yards, 2 TD, INT
Top rushers
OAK – Marv Hubbard – 16 rushes, 76 yards, TD
SDG – Robert Holmes – 6 rushes, 36 yards
Top receivers
OAK – Cliff Branch – 2 receptions, 71 yards, TD
SDG – Jim Thaxton – 4 receptions, 63 yards, TD :

#### Week 6: vs. Atlanta Falcons

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Falcons | 7 | 10 | 10 | 14 | 41 |
| Chargers | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
at San Diego Stadium, San Diego, California
* Date: October 21
* Game time: 1:00 p.m. PDT
* Game weather: 65 °F (18.3 °C), relative humidity 73%, wind 10 mph
* Game attendance: 41,527
* Box score
Game information :
First quarter
ATL – Art Malone 8-yard run (Nick Mike-Mayer kick), 6:31. Falcons 7–0.
Second quarter
ATL – Nick Mike-Mayer 43-yard field goal, 7:30. Falcons 10–0.
ATL – Dave Hampton 4-yard run (Nick Mike-Mayer kick), 0:07. Falcons 17–0.
Third quarter
ATL – Nick Mike-Mayer 12-yard field goal, 7:30. Falcons 20–0.
ATL – Dave Hampton 2-yard run (Nick Mike-Mayer kick), 0:07. Falcons 27–0.
Fourth quarter
ATL – Eddie Ray 2-yard run (Nick Mike-Mayer kick), 0:07. Falcons 34–0.
ATL – Eddie Ray 12-yard run (Nick Mike-Mayer kick), 0:07. Falcons 41–0.
Top passers
ATL – Bob Lee – 9/17, 146 yards, INT
SDG – Dan Fouts – 13/36, 99 yards, 4 INT
Top rushers
ATL – Dave Hampton – 19 rushes, 76 yards, 2 TD
SDG – Clint Jones – 10 rushes, 32 yards
Top receivers
ATL – Ken Burrow – 2 receptions, 59 yards
SDG – Ron Holliday – 3 receptions, 44 yards :

#### Week 7: at Cleveland Browns

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Chargers | 0 | 10 | 3 | 3 | 16 |
| Browns | 0 | 3 | 3 | 10 | 16 |
at Cleveland Municipal Stadium, Cleveland, Ohio
* Date: October 28
* Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
* Game weather: 54 °F (12.2 °C), relative humidity 86%, wind 11 mph
* Game attendance: 68,244
* Referee: Tom Bell
* Box score
Game information :
First quarter
No scoring plays.
Second quarter
SDG – Ray Wersching 11-yard field goal, 8:21. Chargers 3–0. Drive: 9 plays, 42 yards, 5:21.
CLE – Don Cockroft 40-yard field goal, 5:35. Tied 3–3. Drive: 6 plays, 12 yards, 2:46.
SDG – Mike Garrett 1-yard pass from Dan Fouts (Ron Holliday run), 0:10. Chargers 10–3. Drive: 10 plays, 47 yards, 3:29.
Third quarter
CLE – Don Cockroft 17-yard field goal, 4:49. Chargers 10–6. Drive: 19 plays, 90 yards, 10:11.
SDG – Ray Wersching 8-yard field goal, 1:30. Chargers 13–6. Drive: 6 plays, 72 yards, 3:19.
Fourth quarter
CLE – Don Cockroft 42-yard field goal, 11:02. Chargers 13–9. Drive: 6 plays, 19 yards, 2:22.
CLE – Greg Pruitt 7-yard run (Don Cockroft kick), 8:26. Browns 16–13. Drive: 2 plays, 9 yards, 0:55.
SDG – Ray Wersching 16-yard field goal, 0:30. Tied 16–16. Drive: 6 plays, 69 yards, 1:46.
Top passers
SDG – Dan Fouts – 8/16, 135 yards, TD, INT
CLE – Mike Phipps – 10/21, 92 yards, 2 INT
Top rushers
SDG – Mike Garrett – 19 rushes, 130 yards
CLE – Billy Lefear – 7 rushes, 47 yards
Top receivers
SDG – Willie McGee – 1 reception, 50 yards
CLE – Billy Lefear – 2 receptions, 24 yards :

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

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Chiefs | 6 | 3 | 3 | 7 | 19 |
| Chargers | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
at San Diego Stadium, San Diego, California
* Date: November 4
* Game time: 1:00 p.m. PST
* Game weather: 61 °F (16.1 °C), relative humidity 62%, wind 6 mph
* Game attendance: 50,234
* Referee: Fred Swearingen
* Box score
Game information :
First quarter
KAN – Ed Podolak 5-yard run (kick blocked), 2:35. Chiefs 6–0. Drive: 11 plays, 79 yards, 6:51.
Second quarter
KAN – Jan Stenerud 31-yard field goal, 7:58. Chiefs 9–0. Drive: 7 plays, 67 yards, 4:27.
Third quarter
KAN – Jan Stenerud 36-yard field goal, 8:32. Chiefs 12–0. Drive: 9 plays, 20 yards, 4:42.
Fourth quarter
KAN – Morris Stroud 39-yard pass from Mike Livingston (Jan Stenerud kick), 5:47. Chiefs 19–0. Drive: 2 plays, 39 yards, 0:11.
Top passers
KAN – Mike Livingston – 13/22, 193 yards, 2 TD, INT
SDG – Dan Fouts – 11/29, 128 yards, 3 INT
Top rushers
KAN – Wendell Hayes – 13 rushes, 90 yards
SDG – Mike Garrett – 14 rushes, 51 yards
Top receivers
KAN – Pettis Norman – 3 receptions, 62 yards
SDG – Morris Stroud – 2 receptions, 61 yards, TD :

#### Week 9: at Denver Broncos

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Chargers | 3 | 13 | 0 | 3 | 19 |
| Broncos | 10 | 0 | 6 | 14 | 30 |
at Mile High Stadium, Denver, Colorado
* Date: November 11
* Game time: 2:00 p.m. CST
* Game weather: 52 °F (11.1 °C), relative humidity 41%, wind 7 mph
* Game attendance: 51,034
* Referee: Jim Tunney
* Box score
Game information :
First quarter
DEN – Floyd Little 1-yard run (Jim Turner kick), 14:32. Broncos 7–0. Drive: 2 plays, 12 yards, 0:09.
DEN – Jim Turner 39 yard field goal, 10:09. Broncos 10–0. Drive: 7 plays, 33 yards, 3:12.
SDG – Ray Wersching 26-yard field goal, 0:00. Broncos 10–3. Drive: 17 plays, 58 yards, 10:09.
Second quarter
SDG – Coy Bacon 80-yard interception return (kick blocked), 5:45. Broncos 10–9.
SDG – Robert Holmes 18-yard run (Ray Wersching kick), 1:54. Chargers 16–10. Drive: 4 plays, 35 yards, 2:13.
Third quarter
DEN – Gene Washington 20-yard pass from Charley Johnson (kick blocked), 5:12. Tied 16–16. Drive: 12 plays, 62 yards, 6:24.
Fourth quarter
DEN – Riley Odoms 14-yard pass from Charley Johnson (Jim Turner kick), 10:01. Broncos 23–16. Drive: 7 plays, 80 yards, 3:50.
SDG – Ray Wersching 38-yard field goal, 4:25. Broncos 23–19. Drive: 10 plays, 43 yards, 5:36.
DEN – Floyd Little 1-yard run (Jim Turner kick), 0:46. Broncos 30–19. Drive: 6 plays, 23 yards, 2:32.
Top passers
SDG – Wayne Clark – 12/21, 122 yards
DEN – Charley Johnson – 16/29, 234 yards, 2 TD, INT
Top rushers
SDG – Mike Garrett – 12 rushes, 47 yards
DEN – Floyd Little – 22 rushes, 109 yards, 2 TD
Top receivers
SDG – Jerry LeVias – 6 reception, 89 yards
DEN – Floyd Little – 5 receptions, 76 yards :

#### Week 10: vs. New Orleans Saints

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Saints | 0 | 0 | 7 | 7 | 14 |
| Chargers | 0 | 10 | 0 | 7 | 17 |
at San Diego Stadium, San Diego, California
* Date: November 18
* Game time: 1:00 p.m. PST
* Game weather: 61 °F (16.1 °C), relative humidity 83%, wind 12 mph
* Game attendance: 34,848
* Referee: Pat Haggerty
* Box score
Game information :
First quarter
No scoring plays.
Second quarter
SDG – Ray Wersching 28-yard field goal, 2:51. Chargers 3–0. Drive: 5 plays, 60 yards, 1:40.
SDG – Ron Smith 84-yard punt return (Ray Wersching kick), 1:18. Chargers 10–0.
Third quarter
NO – Jubilee Dunbar 9-yard pass from Archie Manning (Bill McClard kick), 1:17. Chargers 10–7. Drive: 6 plays, 57 yards, 3:30.
Fourth quarter
SDG – Robert Holmes 1-yard run (Ray Wersching kick), 8:20. Chargers 17–7.
NO – John Beasley 14-yard pass from Archie Manning (Bill McClard kick), 0:58. Chargers 17–14.
Top passers
NO – Archie Manning – 21/37, 224 yards, 2 TD, INT
SDG – Wayne Clark – 8/20, 109 yards, INT
Top rushers
NO – Jess Phillips – 16 rushes, 43 yards
SDG – Cid Edwards – 12 rushes, 95 yards
Top receivers
NO – John Beasley – 12 receptions, 127 yards, TD
SDG – Jerry LeVias – 2 receptions, 63 yards :

#### Week 11: at Oakland Raiders

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Chargers | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Raiders | 7 | 17 | 7 | 0 | 31 |
at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Oakland, California
* Date: November 25
* Game time: 1:00 p.m. PST
* Game weather: 49 °F (9.4 °C), relative humidity 77%, wind 12 mph
* Game attendance: 40,195
* Referee: Fred Silva
* Box score
Game information :
First quarter
OAK – George Atkinson 59-yard defensive fumble return (George Blanda kick), 10:22. Raiders 7–0.
SDG – Dennis Partee 14-yard field goal, 3:27. Raiders 7–3. Drive: 12 plays, 65 yards, 6:47.
Second quarter
OAK – George Blanda 34-yard field goal, 12:15. Raiders 10–3. Drive: 12 plays, 42 yards, 6:02.
OAK – Charlie Smith 7-yard run (George Blanda kick), 3:54. Raiders 17–3. Drive: 5 plays, 69 yards, 1:42.
OAK – Fred Biletnikoff 16-yard pass from Ken Stabler (George Blanda kick), 1:44. Raiders 24–3. Drive: 1 play, 16 yards, 0:05.
Third quarter
OAK – Bob Moore 1-yard pass from Ken Stabler (George Blanda kick), 3:22. Raiders 31–3. Drive: 4 plays, 13 yards, 1:28.
Fourth quarter
No scoring plays.
Top passers
SDG – Wayne Clark – 6/15, 183 yards, INT
OAK – Ken Stabler – 12/22, 165 yards, 2 TD, INT
Top rushers
SDG – Cid Edwards – 16 rushes, 81 yards
OAK – Charlie Smith – 14 rushes, 66 yards, TD
Top receivers
SDG – Clint Jones – 2 receptions, 47 yards
OAK – Mike Siani – 4 receptions, 90 yards :

#### Week 12: at New England Patriots

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Chargers | 0 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 14 |
| Patriots | 3 | 13 | 7 | 7 | 30 |
at Schaefer Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts
* Date: December 2
* Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
* Game weather: 33 °F (0.6 °C), relative humidity 47%, wind 13 mph, wind chill 23
* Game attendance: 58,150
* Referee: John McDonough
* Box score
Game information :
First quarter
NE – Jeff White 11-yard field goal, 1:06. Patriots 3–0. Drive: 9 plays, 47 yards, 4:45.
Second quarter
SDG – Floyd Rice 51-yard fumble return (Dennis Partee kick), 11:48. Chargers 7–3.
SDG – Robert Holmes 1-yard run (Dennis Partee kick), 4:27. Chargers 14–3. Drive: 10 plays, 34 yards, 5:43.
NE – Mack Herron 92-yard kickoff return (kick blocked), 4:09. Chargers 14–9.
NE – Randy Vataha 14-yard pass from Jim Plunkett (Jeff White kick), 0:21. Patriots 16–14. Drive: 12 plays, 80 yards, 1:52.
Third quarter
NE – Jim Plunkett 1-yard run (Jeff White kick), 9:48. Patriots 23–14. Drive: 10 plays, 69 yards, 5:12.
Fourth quarter
NE – Jim Plunkett 3-yard run (Jeff White kick), 7:16. Patriots 30–14. Drive: 11 plays, 82 yards, 7:35.
Top passers
SDG – Wayne Clark – 5/8, 46 yards, INT
NE – Jim Plunkett – 13/27, 186 yards, TD, 2 INT
Top rushers
SDG – Cid Edwards – 11 rushes, 56 yards
NE – John Tarver – 14 rushes, 76 yards
Top receivers
SDG – Cid Edwards – 3 receptions, 24 yards
NE – Reggie Rucker – 4 receptions, 55 yards :

#### Week 13: vs. Denver Broncos

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Broncos | 7 | 13 | 19 | 3 | 42 |
| Chargers | 7 | 7 | 0 | 14 | 28 |
at San Diego Stadium, San Diego, California
* Date: December 9
* Game time: 1:00 p.m. PST
* Game weather: 63 °F (17.2 °C), relative humidity 34%, wind 5 mph
* Game attendance: 44,954
* Referee: Fred Wyant
* Box score
Game information :
First quarter
SDG – Robert Holmes 1-yard run (Dennis Partee kick), 5:03. Chargers 7–0. Drive: 7 plays, 60 yards, 2:26.
DEN – Riley Odoms 24-yard pass from Charley Johnson (Jim Turner kick), 2:49. Tied 7–7. Drive: 5 plays, 80 yards, 2:09.
Second quarter
DEN – Floyd Little 1-yard run (Jim Turner kick), 7:05. Broncos 14–7. Drive: 8 plays, 69 yards, 5:10.
DEN – Jim Turner 25-yard field goal, 4:02. Broncos 17–7. Drive: 5 plays, 17 yards.
SDG – Gary Garrison 11-yard pass from Dan Fouts (Dennis Partee kick), 3:03. Broncos 17–14. Drive: 4 plays, 33 yards, 0:44.
DEN – Jim Turner 35-yard field goal, 0:49. Broncos 20–14. Drive: 10 plays, 22 yards, 2:14.
Third quarter
DEN – Joe Dawkins 2-yard run (Jim Turner kick), 10:31. Broncos 27–14. Drive: 8 plays, 61 yards, 3:35.
DEN – Jim Turner 15-yard field goal, 5:57. Broncos 30–14. Drive: 9 plays, 35 yards, 3:02.
DEN – Safety, Ken Criter blocked punt through end zone, 4:13. Broncos 32–14.
DEN – Haven Moses 15-yard pass from Charley Johnson (Jim Turner kick), 1:13. Broncos 39–14. Drive: 7 plays, 47 yards, 2:47.
Fourth quarter
SDG – Cid Edwards 1-yard run (Dennis Partee kick), 12:44. Broncos 39–21. Drive: 10 plays, 68 yards, 3:20.
SDG – Jerry LeVias 69 yard pass from Dan Fouts (Dennis Partee kick), 8:32. Broncos 39–28. Drive: 1 play, 69 yards, 0:12.
DEN – Jim Turner 29-yard field goal, 2:19. Broncos 42–28. Drive: 6 plays, 20 yards, 3:39.
Top passers
DEN – Charley Johnson – 15/26, 216 yards, 2 TD
SDG – Dan Fouts – 13/31, 254 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT
Top rushers
DEN – Floyd Little – 18 rushes, 88 yards, TD
SDG – Robert Holmes – 7 rushes, 68 yards, TD
Top receivers
DEN – Jerry Simmons – 1 reception, 53 yards
SDG – Jerry LeVias – 5 receptions, 149 yards, TD :

#### Week 14: at Kansas City Chiefs

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Chargers | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 6 |
| Chiefs | 10 | 3 | 10 | 10 | 33 |
at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri
* Date: December 16
* Game time: 1:00 p.m. CST
* Game weather: 20 °F (−6.7 °C), relative humidity 73%, wind 11 mph, wind chill 8
* Game attendance: 43,755
* Box score
Game information :
First quarter
KAN – Ed Podolak 5-yard run (Jan Stenerud kick), 10:12. Chiefs 7–0. Drive: 4 plays, 14 yards.
SDG – Ray Wersching 22-yard field goal, 5:04. Chiefs 7–3. Drive: 11 plays, 60 yards, 5:08.
KAN – Jan Stenerud 45-yard field goal, 0:12. Chiefs 10–3. Drive: 10 plays, 30 yards, 4:52.
Second quarter
KAN – Jan Stenerud 36-yard field goal, 11:59. Chiefs 13–3. Drive: 4 plays, -2 yards.
Third quarter
KAN – Jan Stenerud 20-yard field goal, 12:03. Chiefs 16–3. Drive: 5 plays, 23 yards, 1:58.
SDG – Ray Wersching 26-yard field goal, 9:44. Chiefs 16–6. Drive: 7 plays, 37 yards, 2:19.
KAN – Jeff Kinney 5-yard run (Jan Stenerud kick), 3:06. Chiefs 23–6. Drive: 12 plays, 80 yards, 6:38.
Fourth quarter
KAN – Wendell Hayes 2-yard run (Jan Stenerud kick), 7:17. Chiefs 30–6. Drive: 7 plays, 30 yards, 4:46.
KAN – Jan Stenerud 27-yard field goal, 2:10. Chiefs 33–6. Drive: 5 plays, 25 yards, 4:29.
Top passers
SDG – Dan Fouts – 9/14, 97 yards
KAN – Mike Livingston – 11/22, 123 yards
Top rushers
SDG – Robert Holmes – 9 rushes, 27 yards
KAN – Ed Podolak – 13 rushes, 50 yards, TD
Top receivers
SDG – Robert Holmes – 5 receptions, 50 yards
KAN – Jeff Kinney – 2 receptions, 42 yards :

### Standings

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