# 1993 San Diego Chargers season

The 1993 San Diego Chargers season was the team's 34th season, their 33rd in San Diego, and 24th in the National Football League.
The 1993 season began with the team trying to improve on their 11–5 record in 1992. Instead, they slipped to an 8–8 record. A tougher schedule made wins harder to come by — their beaten opponents averaged a 0.500 win percentage, compared to 0.369 the year before. Football Outsiders nonetheless rated the 1993 Chargers as the fourth-best team that season, and the second best in the AFC behind their conference rival Chiefs.
Uncertainty at the quarterback position contributed to a slow start. Stan Humphries suffered a shoulder injury during the pre-season, and posted a quarterback rating of just 46.12 through the first four games; John Friesz replaced him, posting better numbers but going 2–4 as a starter. Humphries returned for the final six games with a greatly improved rating of 90.7, and San Diego won four of them, but missed the playoffs by a single win.
The pass-catching corps were largely unchanged. Anthony Miller led the team in all major receiving categories (84 receptions, 1,162 yards, 7 touchdowns), while Ronnie Harmon had 73 catches out of the backfield. Marion Butts (746 yards, 4 touchdowns) split time in the backfield with rookie Natrone Means (645 yards, 8 touchdowns). On defense, the leaders were Leslie O'Neal (12.0 sacks), Junior Seau (129 tackles), and Darren Carrington (7 interceptions, plus 1 fumble recovery). Veteran cornerback Gill Byrd missed the entire season with injury and retired afterwards. Kicker John Carney started the season in fine form, running the consecutive field goal streak he'd started in 1992 up to a new NFL record of 29. His form slipped as the season wore on, and he finished on 31 field goals from 40 attempts.

## Offseason
### NFL draft

1993 San Diego Chargers draft :
| Round | Pick | Player | Position | College |
| 1 | 22 | Darrien Gordon | Cornerback | Stanford |
| 2 | 41 | Natrone Means * | Running back | North Carolina |
| 3 | 64 | Joe Cocozzo | Guard | Michigan |
| 4 | 95 | Raylee Johnson | Defensive end | Arkansas |
| 4 | 99 | Lewis Bush | Linebacker | Washington State |
| 5 | 134 | Walter Dunson | Wide receiver | Middle Tennessee |
| 6 | 161 | Eric Castle | Defensive back | Oregon |
| 7 | 188 | Doug Miller | Linebacker | South Dakota State |
| 8 | 222 | Trent Green * | Quarterback | Stanford |
| Made roster * Made at least one Pro Bowl during career ||||||

## Regular season
### Schedule

| Week | Date | Opponent | Result | Record | Venue | Attendance |
| 1 | September 5 | Seattle Seahawks | W 18–12 | 1–0 | Jack Murphy Stadium | 58,039 |
| 2 | September 12 | at Denver Broncos | L 17–34 | 1–1 | Mile High Stadium | 75,074 |
| 3 | September 19 | Houston Oilers | W 18–17 | 2–1 | Jack Murphy Stadium | 58,519 |
| 4 | Bye | Bye | Bye | Bye | Bye | Bye |
| 5 | October 3 | at Seattle Seahawks | L 14–31 | 2–2 | Kingdome | 54,778 |
| 6 | October 10 | at Pittsburgh Steelers | L 3–16 | 2–3 | Three Rivers Stadium | 55,264 |
| 7 | October 17 | Kansas City Chiefs | L 14–17 | 2–4 | Jack Murphy Stadium | 60,729 |
| 8 | Bye | Bye | Bye | Bye | Bye | Bye |
| 9 | October 31 | at Los Angeles Raiders | W 30–23 | 3–4 | Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum | 45,122 |
| 10 | November 7 | at Minnesota Vikings | W 30–17 | 4–4 | Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome | 55,527 |
| 11 | November 14 | Chicago Bears | L 13–16 | 4–5 | Jack Murphy Stadium | 58,459 |
| 12 | November 21 | Los Angeles Raiders | L 7–12 | 4–6 | Jack Murphy Stadium | 60,615 |
| 13 | November 29 | at Indianapolis Colts | W 31–0 | 5–6 | Hoosier Dome | 54,110 |
| 14 | December 5 | Denver Broncos | W 13–10 | 6–6 | Jack Murphy Stadium | 60,233 |
| 15 | December 12 | Green Bay Packers | L 13–20 | 6–7 | Jack Murphy Stadium | 57,930 |
| 16 | December 19 | at Kansas City Chiefs | L 24–28 | 6–8 | Arrowhead Stadium | 74,778 |
| 17 | December 27 | Miami Dolphins | W 45–20 | 7–8 | Jack Murphy Stadium | 60,311 |
| 18 | January 2, 1994 | at Tampa Bay Buccaneers | W 32–17 | 8–8 | Tampa Stadium | 35,587 |
| Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text. |||||||

### Game summaries
#### Week 1: vs. Seattle Seahawks

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Seahawks | 7 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 12 |
| Chargers | 6 | 6 | 0 | 6 | 18 |
at Jack Murphy Stadium, San Diego, California
* Date: September 5
* Game time: 1:00 p.m. PDT
* Game weather: 70 °F (21.1 °C), relative humidity 82%, wind 8 miles per hour (13 km/h; 7.0 kn)
* Game attendance: 58,039
* Referee: Howard Roe
* TV announcers (NBC): Dan Hicks and Joe Gibbs
* Box score
Game information :
First quarter
SEA – Joe Nash 13-yard interception return (John Kasay kick), 14:07. Seahawks 7–0.
SDG – John Carney 26-yard field goal, 5:54. Seahawks 7–3. Drive: 10 plays, 61 yards, 5:33.
SDG – John Carney 44-yard field goal, 3:26. Seahawks 7–6. Drive: 4 plays, 0 yards, 0:52.
Second quarter
SEA – John Kasey 27-yard field goal, 11:45. Seahawks 10–6. Drive: 12 plays, 76 yards, 6:41.
SDG – John Carney 50-yard field goal, 8:07. Seahawks 10–9. Drive: 10 plays, 37 yards, 3:38.
SDG – John Carney 32-yard field goal, 3:21. Chargers 12–10. Drive: 7 plays, 38 yards, 2:50.
Third quarter
No scoring plays.
Fourth quarter
SDG – John Carney 51-yard field goal, 12:44. Chargers 15–10. Drive: 12 plays, 52 yards, 5:55.
SDG – John Carney 19-yard field goal, 5:35. Chargers 18–10. Drive: 12 plays, 63 yards, 6:31.
SEA – Safety, Kidd ran out of end zone, 0:00. Chargers 18–12.
Top passers
SEA – Rick Mirer – 20/27, 154 yards, INT
SDG – Stan Humphries – 13/30, 123 yards, 2 INT
Top rushers
SEA – Chris Warren – 12 rushes, 38 yards
SDG – Marion Butts – 15 rushes, 87 yards
Top receivers
SEA – Brian Blades – 5 receptions, 54 yards
SDG – Anthony Miller – 6 receptions, 56 yards :
In a game with no offensive touchdowns, John Carney's six field goals brought San Diego their first opening day win for seven years. They had to overcome a terrible start, Stan Humphries' second pass attempt of the season being batted in the air by Cortez Kennedy for Joe Nash to intercept and return 13 yards for a touchdown. Humphries was intercepted again only three plays later, but Seattle missed a field goal, and the Charger offense began to move the ball. Four consecutive field goal drives had them up 12–10 at the half.
Marion Butts rushed for 87 yards on 15 carries, but had to leave the game early in the 3rd quarter. Still, the Chargers managed two more Carney kicks, the latter making it a two score game with just 5:35 to play. The Seahawks responded with a drive deep into Charger territory, but Burt Grossman recovered a fumble at the two. Charger punter John Kidd then gave up an intentional safety as time expired.
Carney's six field goals were a club record; he had successes from 50 and 51 yards out, becoming the first Charger with two 50+ yard field goals in the same game. Humphries wasn't intercepted again after the first two possession, but completed only 13 of 30 for 123 yards and a 27.5 QB rating.

#### Week 2: at Denver Broncos

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Chargers | 0 | 0 | 14 | 3 | 17 |
| Broncos | 0 | 17 | 7 | 10 | 34 |
at Mile High Stadium, Denver, Colorado
* Date: September 12
* Game time: 2:00 p.m. MDT
* Game weather: 76 °F (24.4 °C), relative humidity 20%, wind 11 miles per hour (18 km/h; 9.6 kn)
* Game attendance: 75,074
* Referee: Ron Blum
* TV announcers (NBC): Charlie Jones and Todd Christensen
* Box score
Game information :
First quarter
No scoring plays.
Second quarter
DEN – Arthur Marshall 34-yard pass from John Elway (Jason Elam kick), 13:00. Broncos 7–0. Drive: 7 plays, 87 yards, 3:01.
DEN – Reggie Rivers 12-yard pass from John Elway (Jason Elam kick), 12:09. Broncos 14–0. Drive: 1 play, 12 yards, 0:06.
DEN – Jason Elam 20-yard field goal, 5:21. Broncos 17–0. Drive: 11 plays, 62 yards, 4:23.
Third quarter
SDG – Derrick Walker 25-yard pass from Stan Humphries (John Carney kick), 10:07. Broncos 17–7. Drive: 8 plays, 47 yards, 3:26.
SDG – Nate Lewis 24-yard pass from Stan Humphries (John Carney kick), 7:48. Broncos 17–14. Drive: 4 plays, 35 yards, 1:18.
DEN – Rod Bernstine 1-yard run (Jason Elam kick), 0:59. Broncos 24–14. Drive: 12 plays, 80 yards, 6:49.
Fourth quarter
SDG – John Carney 30-yard field goal, 9:25. Chargers 24–17. Drive: 17 plays, 69 yards, 6:34.
DEN – Jason Elam 54-yard field goal, 3:36. Broncos 27–17. Drive: 4 plays, 7 yards, 1:31.
DEN – Robert Delpino 1-yard run (Jason Elam kick), 1:55. Broncos 34–17. Drive: 3 plays, 6 yards, 0:26.
Top passers
SDG – Stan Humphries – 28/49, 298 yards, 2 TD, INT
DEN – John Elway – 24/34, 294 yards, 2 TD, INT
Top rushers
SDG – Ronnie Harmon – 9 rushes, 42 yards
DEN – Rod Bernstine – 14 rushes, 39 yards, TD
Top receivers
SDG – Arthur Marshall – 6 receptions, 76 yards, TD
DEN – Nate Lewis – 10 receptions, 119 yards, TD :
The Chargers' first loss of the season arrived after a comeback attempt faltered. Two John Elway touchdown passes either side of an Eric Bieniemy fumble helped Denver lead 17–0 at halftime. Cornerback Marquez Pope played a key role in shifting momentum after the break, intercepting a pass and forcing a fumble on consecutive Bronco possessions. Both turnovers set the Chargers up with excellent field position, and both chances were converted, Humphries hitting Derrick Walker and Nate Lewis for touchdowns.
Now trailing only 17–14, San Diego were close to a stop on the next drive, but Elway converted a 3rd and 19 with a 46-yard completion to the one yard line. Ex-Charger Rod Bernstine scored a play later. Following an exchange of field goals, Humphries was intercepted and Denver iced the win.
Nate Lewis had 10 receptions and 119 yards, both career highs.

#### Week 3: vs. Houston Oliers

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Oilers | 0 | 14 | 0 | 3 | 17 |
| Chargers | 3 | 6 | 3 | 6 | 18 |
at Jack Murphy Stadium, San Diego, California
* Date: September 19
* Game time: 1:00 p.m. PDT
* Game weather: 66 °F (18.9 °C), relative humidity 76%, wind 7 miles per hour (11 km/h; 6.1 kn)
* Game attendance: 58,519
* Referee: Ed Hochuli
* TV announcers (NBC): Charlie Jones and Todd Christensen
* Box score
Game information :
First quarter
SDG – John Carney 34-yard field goal, 5:30. Chargers 3–0. Drive: 6 plays, 29 yards, 2:15.
Second quarter
SDG – John Carney 34-yard field goal, 13:55. Chargers 6–0. Drive: 8 plays, 36 yards, 1:53.
SDG – John Carney 27-yard field goal, 10:53. Chargers 9–0. Drive: 4 plays, -1 yards, 1:31.
HOU – Webster Slaughter 2-yard pass from Warren Moon (Al Del Greco kick), 5:31. Chargers 9–7. Drive: 11 plays, 80 yards, 5:22.
HOU – Darryll Lewis 47-yard interception return (Al Del Greco kick), 3:13. Oilers 14–9.
Third quarter
SDG – John Carney 27-yard field goal, 3:33. Oilers 14–12. Drive: 8 plays, 69 yards, 3:28.
Fourth quarter
SDG – John Carney 36-yard field goal, 9:21. Chargers 15–14. Drive: 6 plays, 10 yards, 2:40.
HOU – Al Del Greco 27-yard field goal, 4:59. Oilers 17–15. Drive: 9 plays, 53 yards, 4:22.
SDG – John Carney 27-yard field goal, 0:03. Chargers 18–17. Drive: 13 plays, 75 yards, 4:56.
Top passers
HOU – Warren Moon – 19/37, 199 yards, TD, 4 INT
SDG – John Friesz – 8/15, 110 yards
Top rushers
HOU – Lorenzo White – 13 rushes, 47 yards
SDG – Marion Butts – 16 rushes, 66 yards
Top receivers
HOU – Webster Slaughter – 7 receptions, 60 yards, TD
SDG – Nate Lewis – 2 receptions, 57 yards :
It was déjà vu for the Chargers, as John Carney kicked six field goals for the second consecutive home game. San Diego's defense played a huge role throughout the game; in the first half, Darren Carrington and Junior Seau both intercepted Warren Moon, either side of a Carrington fumble recovery. Each of these takeaways was converted into a field goal. Carney's third, from 27 yards out, gave him a streak of 26 consecutive regular season successes, stretching back to the previous season. This broke an NFL record set by Morten Andersen only a week earlier.
Moon got Houston in the end zone on their next drive, then Humphries threw his second pick six of the season, and it was 14–9 at the break. Humphries continued to struggle in the 3rd quarter, and was pulled for John Friesz, who completed a 47-yard pass downfield to Nate Lewis on his very first play. That set up Carney's fourth kick. Moon was intercepted on the next two Houston possessions: the first of these, by Sean Vanhorse, ended an Oiler threat; the second was Seau again, and led to Carney's fifth field goal and a 15–14 lead.
Moon was also benched at this point - his backup Cody Carlson drove Houston to a 3rd and 2 at the San Diego 8, whereupon a touchdown pass to Haywood Jeffires was incorrectly ruled to have been out of bounds. As a result, the Oliers settled for a field goal, and led by only two points with 4:59 to play. Friesz then completed four passes for 46 yards, as San Diego went 75 yards in 13 plays, culminating in Carney's final kick with just 3 seconds on the clock.
Humphries finished with just 7 completions from 26 attempts, for 73 yards and an interception, for a 23.6 QB rating.

#### Week 5: at Seattle Seahawks

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Chargers | 7 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 14 |
| Seahawks | 7 | 10 | 7 | 7 | 31 |
at Kingdome, Seattle, Washington
* Date: October 3
* Game time: 1:00 p.m. PDT
* Game weather: Dome
* Game attendance: 54,778
* Referee: Dick Hantak
* TV announcers (NBC): Tom Hammond and Cris Collinsworth
* Box score
Game information :
First quarter
SEA – Rick Mirer 2-yard run (John Kasay kick), 10:24. Seahawks 7–0. Drive: 10 plays, 81 yards, 4:36.
SDG – Marion Butts 2-yard run (John Carney kick), 2:37. Tied 7–7. Drive: 6 plays, 65 yards, 2:16.
Second quarter
SEA – John Kasay 33-yard field goal, 7:39. Seahawks 10–7. Drive: 16 plays, 65 yards, 6:28.
SEA – Brian Blades 17-yard pass from Dan McGwire (John Kasay kick), 0:10. Seahawks 17–7. Drive: 9 plays, 43 yards, 1:37.
Third quarter
SEA – Chris Warren 1-yard run (John Kasay kick), 7:20. Seahawks 24–7. Drive: 7 plays, 58 yards, 3:33.
Fourth quarter
SEA – Kelvin Martin 18-yard pass from Rick Mirer (John Kasay kick), 4:59. Seahawks 31–7. Drive: 7 plays, 49 yards, 4:07.
SDG – Anthony Miller 11-yard pass from John Friesz (John Carney kick), 2:11. Seahawks 31–14. Drive: 9 plays, 66 yards, 2:48.
Top passers
SDG – Stan Humphries – 12/27, 141 yards, 2 INT
SEA – Rick Mirer – 25/40, 282 yards, TD
Top rushers
SDG – Marion Butts – 11 rushes, 62 yards, TD
SEA – Chris Warren – 23 rushes, 32 yards, TD
Top receivers
SDG – Anthony Miller – 10 receptions, 123 yards, TD
SEA – Brian Blades – 10 receptions, 132 yards, TD :
Stan Humphries struggled again, and the Chargers slipped to 2–2. They trailed 7–0 when John Carney missed a 48-yard field goal, bringing his streak of consecutive kicks without a miss to an end at 29 (a record since surpassed). A Marion Butts run levelled the scores, but Humphries threw two interceptions thereafter as the Seahawks pulled away.
This time, Humphries completed 12 of 27 for 141 yards, with a QB rating of 30.0; three of the six worst ratings of his career came in the first four games of this season. John Friesz, who came in and threw a consolation score to Anthony Miller, was named the starter for the next game.

#### Week 6: at Pittsburgh Steelers

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Chargers | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Steelers | 3 | 3 | 7 | 3 | 16 |
at Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
* Date: October 10
* Game time: 4:00 p.m. EDT
* Game weather: 42 °F (5.6 °C), relative humidity 58%, wind 12 miles per hour (19 km/h; 10 kn)
* Game attendance: 55,264
* Referee: Gary Lane
* TV announcers (NBC): Dan Hicks and Dan Hampton
* Box score
Game information :
First quarter
PIT – Gary Anderson 37-yard field goal, 0:19. Steelers 3–0. Drive: 11 plays, 36 yards, 6:36.
Second quarter
PIT – Gary Anderson 34-yard field goal, 1:56. Steelers 6–0. Drive: 9 plays, 31 yards, 4:25.
SDG – John Carney 33-yard field goal, 0:03. Steelers 6–3. Drive: 11 plays, 50 yards, 1:53.
Third quarter
PIT – Levon Kirkland 16-yard defensive fumble return (Gary Anderson kick), 3:25. Steelers 13–3.
Fourth quarter
PIT – Gary Anderson 35-yard field goal, 7:47. Steelers 16–3. Drive: 9 plays, 38 yards, 4:33.
Top passers
PIT – Neil O'Donnell – 16/25, 156 yards
SDG – John Friesz – 15/26, 107 yards, INT
Top rushers
PIT – Barry Foster – 23 rushes, 110 yards
SDG – Ronnie Harmon – 3 rushes, 12 yards
Top receivers
PIT – Eric Green – 5 receptions, 81 yards
SDG – Anthony Miller – 6 receptions, 61 yards :
John Friesz struggled on his first start of the season, hindered by a rushing attack which could gain only 19 yards on 20 carries. Still, the defense kept them in the game at half time, trailing only 6–3. On the first Charger drive of the 3rd quarter, Friesz executed a successful QB sneak on 4th and 1, earning a 1st and goal at the 8. However, Kevin Greene hit Friesz as he threw on the next play, causing a goal line interception and knocking the quarterback out of the game with a concussion.
Humphries came in, but was soon sacked by Greg Lloyd, causing a fumble which Levon Kirkland recovered and ran in for the game's only touchdown. San Diego finished with 138 yards, their worst tally for 16 years.

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

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Chiefs | 7 | 3 | 0 | 7 | 17 |
| Chargers | 0 | 7 | 0 | 7 | 14 |
at Jack Murphy Stadium, San Diego, California
* Date: October 17
* Game time: 1:00 p.m. PDT
* Game weather: 64 °F (17.8 °C), relative humidity 75%, wind 9 miles per hour (14 km/h; 7.8 kn)
* Game attendance: 60,729
* Referee: Jerry Markbreit
* TV announcers (NBC): Dick Enberg and Bob Trumpy
* Box score
Game information :
First quarter
KAN – Marcus Allen 15-yard pass from Joe Montana (Nick Lowery kick), 4:25. Chiefs 7–0. Drive: 14 plays, 63 yards, 4:50.
Second quarter
SDG – Natrone Means 7-yard run (John Carney kick), 9:20. Tied 7–7. Drive: 5 plays, 43 yards, 2:18.
KAN – Nick Lowery 37-yard field goal, 0:00. Chiefs 10–7. Drive: 7 plays, 35 yards, 1:34.
Third quarter
No scoring plays.
Fourth quarter
SDG – Anthony Miller 4-yard pass from John Friesz (John Carney kick), 13:55. Chargers 14–10. Drive: 3 plays, 3 yards, 0:41.
KAN – Marcus Allen 1-yard run (Nick Lowery kick), 1:57. Chiefs 17–14. Drive: 9 plays, 80 yards, 1:30.
Top passers
KAN – Joe Montana – 21/39, 284 yards, TD, INT
SDG – John Friesz – 18/35, 218 yards, TD, INT
Top rushers
KAN – Marcus Allen – 13 rushes, 46 yards, TD
SDG – Marion Butts – 11 rushes, 38 yards
Top receivers
KAN – Willie Davis – 4 receptions, 77 yards
SDG – Anthony Miller – 6 receptions, 105 yards, TD :
San Diego dropped a thriller to lose their third straight. Shortly after Anthony Miller had an 89-yard touchdown reception chalked off for a Harry Swayne hold, the Chiefs opened the scoring, veterans Joe Montana and Marcus Allen combing from 15 yards out. The Chargers were forced to punt on their next possession, but John Kidd's monster 67 yard kick pinned Kansas City at their own three. This shift in field position set San Diego up for a 36-yard touchdown drive, rookie Natrone Means powering over the goal line for his first career touchdown. Montana and Friesz then exchanged interceptions, before a Nick Lowery field goal made it 10–7 at the break.
John Carney had a chance to tie the scores in the 3rd quarter, but saw his kick blocked. Early in the 4th, Darrien Gordon returned a punt 54 yards to the three, and Miller caught the go-ahead touchdown pass on 3rd and goal. Lowery then hit the upright from 35 yards out, before Carney had another one blocked. Taking over on the 20 with 3:27 to play, Montana then led his team on the game-winning drive, converting a 4th and 10 along the way. Allen scored from a yard out with 1:57 remaining. Friesz also managed to convert a 4th and 10, but then threw four consecutive incompletions from the Kansas City 47.
Anthony Miller caught 6 passes for 105 yards and a touchdown. This result broke a string of nine consecutive home wins for San Diego, including one in the playoffs.

#### Week 9: at Los Angeles Raiders

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Chargers | 7 | 3 | 14 | 6 | 30 |
| Raiders | 10 | 0 | 7 | 6 | 23 |
at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, California
* Date: October 31
* Game time: 1:00 p.m. PST
* Game weather: 66 °F (18.9 °C), relative humidity 85%, wind 9 miles per hour (14 km/h; 7.8 kn)
* Game attendance: 45,122
* Referee: Red Cashion
* TV announcers (NBC): Charlie Jones and Todd Christensen
* Box score
Game information :
First quarter
RAI – Tim Brown 71-yard pass from Jeff Hostetler (Jeff Jaeger kick), 13:39. Raiders 7–0. Drive: 1 play, 71 yards, 0:10.
SDG – Anthony Miller 29-yard pass from John Friesz (John Carney kick), 8:24. Tied 7–7. Drive: 9 plays, 78 yards, 5:15.
RAI – Jeff Jaeger 38-yard field goal, 0:38. Raiders 10–7. Drive: 15 plays, 78 yards, 7:46.
Second quarter
SDG – John Carney 45-yard field goal, 0:21. Tied 10–10. Drive: 6 plays, 39 yards, 0:45.
Third quarter
RAI – Tim Brown 38-yard pass from Jeff Hostetler (Jeff Jaeger kick), 10:18. Raiders 17–10. Drive: 7 plays, 81 yards, 4:42.
SDG – Marion Butts 12-yard run (John Carney kick), 6:06. Tied 17–17. Drive: 8 plays, 80 yards, 4:12.
SDG – Donald Frank 102-yard interception return (John Carney kick), 3:24. Chargers 24–17.
Fourth quarter
SDG – John Carney 36-yard field goal, 13:38. Chargers 27–17. Drive: 7 plays, 47 yards, 3:23.
RAI – Jeff Jaeger 21-yard field goal, 9:55. Chargers 27–20. Drive: 7 plays, 76 yards, 3:43.
SDG – John Carney 38-yard field goal, 1:49. Chargers 30–20. Drive: 15 plays, 60 yards, 8:06.
RAI – Jeff Jaeger 31-yard field goal, 0:20. Chargers 30–23. Drive: 8 plays, 50 yards, 1:29.
Top passers
SDG – John Friesz – 13/25, 162 yards, TD
RAI – Jeff Hostetler – 20/32, 424 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT
Top rushers
SDG – Natrone Means – 14 rushes, 68 yards
RAI – Greg Robinson – 13 rushes, 53 yards
Top receivers
SDG – Ronnie Harmon – 5 receptions, 89 yards
RAI – Tim Brown – 5 receptions, 156 yards, 2 TD :
Donald Frank's 102 yard interception return gave the Chargers a much-needed win. Los Angeles got off to an ideal start, Jeff Hostetler finding Tim Brown for a 71-yard touchdown on their very first play. San Diego responded quickly with Anthony Miller's 29-yard touchdown reception on the next drive. Following an exchange of field goals, it was 10–10 at halftime.
The Hostetler-to-Brown connection produced another long touchdown in the 3rd quarter (38 yards); San Diego again responded on the ensuing drive, Shawn Jefferson gaining 33 yards on a reverse before Butts ran it in from 12 yards out. Hostetler, who passed for 424 yards on the day, moved his team to the Charger 5 with a 55-yard completion, but threw his next pass straight at Frank, who ran the length of the field for an easy touchdown. Gary Plummer intercepted Hostetler on the next drive, and the teams traded field goals through the final quarter.
While Friesz only threw for 162 yards, the rushing duo of Means and Butts gained 68 and 64 yards respectively.

#### Week 10: at Minnesota Vikings

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Chargers | 7 | 3 | 6 | 14 | 30 |
| Vikings | 0 | 3 | 14 | 0 | 17 |
at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis, Minnesota
* Date: November 7
* Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST
* Game weather: Dome
* Game attendance: 54,960
* Referee: Bob McElwee
* TV announcers (NBC): Charlie Jones and Todd Christensen
* Box score
Game information :
First quarter
SDG – Marion Butts 3-yard run (John Carney kick), 2:54. Chargers 7–0. Drive: 10 plays, 80 yards, 6:23.
Second quarter
SDG – John Carney 36-yard field goal, 7:00. Chargers 10–0. Drive: 9 plays, 28 yards, 3:40.
MIN – Fuad Reveiz 20-yard field goal, 3:35. Chargers 10–3. Drive: 8 plays, 76 yards, 3:25.
Third quarter
SDG – Anthony Miller 66-yard pass from John Friesz (kick failed), 12:02. Chargers 16–3. Drive: 5 plays, 75 yards, 2:58.
MIN – Anthony Carter 9-yard pass from Sean Salisbury (Fuad Reveiz kick), 7:57. Chargers 16–10. Drive: 9 plays, 80 yards, 4:05.
MIN – Barry Word 1-yard run (Fuad Reveiz kick), 1:17. Vikings 17–16. Drive: 9 plays, 78 yards, 3:56.
Fourth quarter
SDG – Natrone Means 7-yard run (John Carney kick), 10:12. Chargers 23–17. Drive: 7 plays, 61 yards, 3:54.
SDG – Shawn Jefferson 18-yard pass from John Friesz (John Carney kick), 9:11. Chargers 30–17. Drive: 3 plays, 21 yards, 1:01.
Top passers
SDG – John Friesz – 20/32, 268 yards, 2 TD
MIN – Sean Salisbury – 29/47, 347 yards, TD, INT
Top rushers
SDG – Natrone Means – 17 rushes, 105 yards, TD
MIN – Barry Word – 8 rushes, 11 yards, TD
Top receivers
SDG – Anthony Miller – 7 receptions, 142 yards, TD
MIN – Anthony Carter – 10 receptions, 164 yards, TD :
A balanced offensive performance saw the Chargers even their record at 4–4. A short TD run by Butts opened the scoring, and San Diego led 10–3 at the break. A 66-yard strike from Friesz to Miller extended the advantage, but John Carney missed the conversion, and back-to-back touchdown drives by Minnesota put the Vikings up by a point.
San Diego regained control with a trio of 4th quarter turnovers. First, Sean Vanhorse intercepted Sean Salisbury, and Means put the Chargers ahead seven plays later. On the ensuing kickoff, Marquez Pope forced a fumble, and Friesz found Shawn Jefferson for the Chargers' second score in barely a minute. Finally, Chris Mims knocked the ball from Salisbury's hands, with Leslie O'Neal recovering to end the final Viking threat.
Friesz went 20 of 32 for 268 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions, while Miller caught 7 balls for 142 yards and one score. Means had 17 carries for 105 yards and a touchdown - the first 100-yard game of his career.

#### Week 11: vs. Chicago Bears

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Bears | 0 | 6 | 10 | 0 | 16 |
| Chargers | 3 | 7 | 0 | 3 | 13 |
at Jack Murphy Stadium, San Diego, California
* Date: November 14
* Game time: 5:00 p.m. PST
* Game weather: 60 °F (15.6 °C), relative humidity 65%, wind 12 miles per hour (19 km/h; 10 kn)
* Game attendance: 58,459
* Referee: Bernie Kukar
* TV announcers (ESPN): Mike Patrick (sportscaster) and Joe Theismann
* Box score
Game information :
First quarter
SDG – John Carney 28-yard field goal, 9:04. Chargers 3–0. Drive: 11 plays, 40 yards, 5:28.
Second quarter
SDG – John Kidd 2-yard run (John Carney kick), 14:49. Chargers 10–0. Drive: 9 plays, 54 yards, 4:07.
CHI – Kevin Butler 33-yard field goal, 4:52. Chargers 10–3. Drive: 11 plays, 39 yards, 5:13.
CHI – Kevin Butler 54-yard field goal, 2:26. Chargers 10–6. Drive: 4 plays, 1 yard, 1:00.
Third quarter
CHI – Kevin Butler 20-yard field goal, 4:55. Chargers 10–9. Drive: 12 plays, 66 yards, 6:47.
CHI – Curtis Conway 38-yard pass from Jim Harbaugh (Kevin Butler kick), 4:08. Bears 16–10. Drive: 1 play, 38 yards, 0:08.
Fourth quarter
SDG – John Carney 26-yard field goal, 11:05. Bears 16–13. Drive: 19 plays, 67 yards, 8:03.
Top passers
CHI – Jim Harbaugh – 13/24, 159 yards, TD, INT
SDG – John Friesz – 19/37, 184 yards
Top rushers
CHI – Tim Worley – 11 rushes, 33 yards
SDG – Natrone Means – 18 rushes, 69 yards
Top receivers
CHI – Curtis Conway – 2 receptions, 50 yards, TD
SDG – Anthony Miller – 4 receptions, 46 yards :
John Carney's late miss saw the Chargers drop a close game. San Diego sent their field goal unit onto the field at the end of their first three drives. The first two times, Carney attempted kicks - one successful, one blocked. The third time, holder John Kidd swept around left end for a touchdown and a 10–0 lead. Chicago then took charge, three field goals and a Jim Harbaugh touchdown pass putting them up 16–10 late in the 3rd quarter. The Chargers converted three 3rd downs and a 4th down on their next drive, but were eventually forced to settle for a field goal.
Plummer then intercepted Harbaugh in Charger territory, and Friesz led a 46-yard drive. However, Carney's kick missed badly to the left with 1:11 to play, and Chicago ran the clock out.

#### Week 12: vs. Los Angeles Raiders

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Raiders | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 12 |
| Chargers | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 7 |
at Jack Murphy Stadium, San Diego, California
* Date: November 21
* Game time: 1:00 p.m. PST
* Game weather: 61 °F (16.1 °C), relative humidity 35%, wind 5 miles per hour (8.0 km/h; 4.3 kn)
* Game attendance: 60,615
* Referee: Johnny Grier
* TV announcers (NBC): Dick Enberg and Bob Trumpy
* Box score
Game information :
First quarter
RAI – Jeff Jaeger 20-yard field goal, 3:38. Raiders 3–0. Drive: 19 plays, 86 yards, 11:22.
Second quarter
RAI – Jeff Jaeger 20-yard field goal, 2:33. Raiders 6–0. Drive: 13 plays, 89 yards, 7:16.
Third quarter
RAI – Jeff Jaeger 37-yard field goal, 7:17. Raiders 9–0. Drive: 9 plays, 42 yards, 5:56.
Fourth quarter
RAI – Jeff Jaeger 27-yard field goal, 3:29. Raiders 12–0. Drive: 15 plays, 68 yards, 8:13.
SDG – Nate Lewis 9-yard pass from Stan Humphries (John Carney kick), 1:53. Raiders 12–7. Drive: 6 plays, 73 yards, 1:36.
Top passers
RAI – Jeff Hostetler – 19/31, 270 yards, INT
SDG – Stan Humphries – 8/12, 84 yards, TD, INT
Top rushers
RAI – Greg Robinson – 21 rushes, 89 yards
SDG – Marion Butts – 10 rushes, 36 yards
Top receivers
RAI – James Jett – 7 receptions, 138 yards
SDG – Anthony Miller – 4 receptions, 53 yards :
Los Angeles dominated several key statistics, even if the final score was close. The Raiders had more yards (428 to 154) plays (81 to 42) and time of possession (41:48 to 18:12). The tone was set by the opening drive of the game, as LA went 86 yards in 19 plays, taking 11:22 before stalling at the goal line and kicking a field goal. They had to settle for 3 points on three further red zone visits - a pair of turnovers also kept the score down.
For the Chargers, John Friesz struggled during his rare visits to the field, going 3 of 8 for 38 yards, and getting sacked twice. Stan Humphries came in at halftime, but saw a 44-yard completion to Shawn Jefferson wiped out by an offensive pass interference penalty, and couldn't breech the Raider red zone until late on in the game. After the fourth Raider field goal, Humphries threw six straight completions for 73 yards, the final nine coming on a touchdown to Nate Lewis. However, there was only 1:53 to play - the Raiders recovered an onside kick and only 14 seconds remained when San Diego got the ball back, whereupon Humphries was intercepted.

#### Week 13: at Indianapolis Colts

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Chargers | 0 | 14 | 3 | 14 | 31 |
| Colts | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
at Hoosier Dome, Indianapolis, Indiana
* Date: November 29
* Game time: 9:00 p.m. EST
* Game weather: Played indoors (domed stadium)
* Game attendance: 54,110
* Referee: Ron Blum
* TV announcers (ABC): Al Michaels, Frank Gifford and Dan Dierdorf
* Box score
Game information :
First quarter
No scoring plays.
Second quarter
SDG – Shawn Jefferson 39-yard pass from Stan Humphries (John Carney kick), 4:12. Chargers 7–0. Drive: 9 plays, 97 yards, 5:00.
SDG – Nate Lewis 8-yard pass from Stan Humphries (John Carney kick), 0:34. Chargers 14–0. Drive: 10 plays, 90 yards, 2:07.
Third quarter
SDG – John Carney 36-yard field goal, 3:33. Chargers 10–0. Drive: 8 plays, 44 yards, 4:23.
Fourth quarter
SDG – Marion Butts 1-yard run (John Carney kick), 14:58. Chargers 23–17. Drive: 3 plays, 8 yards, 1:12.
SDG – Eric Bieniemy 4-yard run (John Carney kick), 9:31. Chargers 23–17. Drive: 7 plays, 53 yards, 3:50.
Top passers
SDG – Stan Humphries – 16/25, 216 yards, 2 TD
IND – Jeff George – 17/28, 209 yards, TD, INT
Top rushers
SDG – Marion Butts – 13 rushes, 80 yards, TD
IND – Roosevelt Potts – 9 rushes, 34 yards
Top receivers
SDG – Anthony Miller – 4 receptions, 65 yards
IND – Jessie Hester – 8 receptions, 95 yards :
The Charger defense had three takeaways while imposing a Monday Night shutout. Indianapolis drove to a first down at the Charger 26 on the game's first possession, but Stanley Richard intercepted an underthrown HB option pass, and there were few threats thereafter.
Stan Humphries had a successful return to the starting lineup, going 16 of 25 for 216 yards, and 2nd quarter touchdowns to Jefferson and Lewis. In the second half, Chris Mims and Junior Seau recovered a pair of fumbles, which San Diego turned into rushing touchdowns by Butts and Eric Bieniemy. In total, the Chargers rolled up 247 yards on the ground.
It was the second consecutive season in which San Diego shut out the Colts.

#### Week 14: vs. Denver Broncos

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Broncos | 3 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| Chargers | 0 | 0 | 3 | 10 | 13 |
at Jack Murphy Stadium, San Diego, California
* Date: December 5
* Game time: 1:00 p.m. PST
* Game weather: 57 °F (13.9 °C), relative humidity 74%, wind 6 miles per hour (9.7 km/h; 5.2 kn)
* Game attendance: 60,233
* Referee: Dale Hamer
* TV announcers (NBC): Dick Enberg and Bob Trumpy
* Box score
Game information :
First quarter
DEN – Jason Elam 30-yard field goal, 6:32. Broncos 3–0. Drive: 14 plays, 86 yards, 5:39.
Second quarter
DEN – David Wyman 1-yard pass from Tommy Maddox (Jason Elam kick), 1:49. Broncos 10–0. Drive: 9 plays, 71 yards, 4:24.
Third quarter
SDG – John Carney 27-yard field goal, 10:03. Broncos 10–3. Drive: 9 plays, 29 yards, 4:36.
Fourth quarter
SDG – Natrone Means 1-yard run (John Carney kick), 11:32. Tied 10–10. Drive: 11 plays, 55 yards, 4:43.
SDG – John Carney 34-yard field goal, 0:03. Chargers 13–10. Drive: 12 plays, 80 yards, 2:51.
Top passers
DEN – John Elway – 14/32, 171 yards, INT
SDG – Stan Humphries – 22/39, 221 yards
Top rushers
DEN – Rod Bernstine – 15 rushes, 52 yards
SDG – Marion Butts – 11 rushes, 58 yards
Top receivers
DEN – Arthur Marshall – 3 receptions, 44 yards
SDG – Nate Lewis – 6 receptions, 60 yards :
John Carney kicked the winner, as both he and the Chargers overcame their early errors. In the first half, Carney missed two long field goals, and a Nate Lewis touchdown was negated by a penalty. San Diego were also fooled by a fake field goal, and it was 10-0 Denver at the break.
Darren Carrington intercepted John Elway on the first play of the second half, and the tide began to turn, the turnover leading to a successful field goal, before Means tied the scores early in the 4th quarter. After Denver missed a field goal and both team punted, the Chargers began their final possession on their own 5 yard line. Following an eight-yard run by Means, Humphries threw on 10 consecutive plays, completing 7 passes for 72 yards. Carney's decisive kick came from 34 yards out with 3 seconds left.

#### Week 15: vs. Green Bay Packers

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Packers | 7 | 6 | 7 | 0 | 20 |
| Chargers | 3 | 3 | 7 | 0 | 13 |
at Jack Murphy Stadium, San Diego, California
* Date: December 12
* Game time: 5:00 p.m. PST
* Game weather: 56 °F (13.3 °C), relative humidity 78%, wind 12 miles per hour (19 km/h; 10 kn)
* Game attendance: 57,930
* Referee: Howard Roe
* TV announcers (ESPN): Mike Patrick and Joe Theismann
* Box score
Game information :
First quarter
GB – Edgar Bennett 3-yard run (Chris Jacke kick), 9:10. Packers 7–0. Drive: 7 plays, 66 yards, 4:00.
SDG – John Carney 47-yard field goal, 1:54. Packers 7–3. Drive: 8 plays, 31 yards, 3:27.
Second quarter
GB – Chris Jacke 51-yard field goal, 9:12. Packers 10–3. Drive: 6 plays, 15 yards, 2:57.
GB – Chris Jacke 42-yard field goal, 6:26. Packers 13–3. Drive: 5 plays, 17 yards, 1:43.
SDG – John Carney 43-yard field goal, 0:04. Broncos 13–6. Drive: 8 plays, 23 yards, 1:23.
Third quarter
GB – Darrell Thompson 5-yard run (Chris Jacke kick), 4:19. Packers 20–6. Drive: 12 plays, 55 yards, 6:28.
SDG – Nate Lewis 10-yard pass from Stan Humphries (John Carney kick), 0:39. Packers 20–13. Drive: 9 plays, 51 yards, 3:40.
Fourth quarter
No scoring plays.
Top passers
GB – Brett Favre – 13/23, 146 yards, INT
SDG – Stan Humphries – 27/51, 257 yards, TD, 3 INT
Top rushers
GB – Edgar Bennett – 18 rushes, 59 yards, TD
SDG – Marion Butts – 9 rushes, 30 yards
Top receivers
GB – Sterling Sharpe – 7 receptions, 65 yards
SDG – Anthony Miller – 8 receptions, 103 yards :
San Diego's playoff chances took a knock, as Green Bay edged a hard-fought encounter. The Packers took an early 7–0 lead, after which both sides kicked two field goals, and Brett Favre and Stan Humphries were intercepted on consecutive plays - it was 13–6 at the break.
Early in the 3rd quarter, Humphries led his team to a 4th and 4 at the Green Bay 34. They opted to go for it, but Humphries was sacked, and the Packers soon doubled their lead. A Nate Lewis reception soon had San Diego back in the game, after which they crossed midfield twice more, but could produce no further points. Means was stopped for a loss on 4th and 1 from the 37, and Humphries threw an interception on 2nd and 9 from the 43 with 2:29 on the clock.
In total, Humphries completed 27 of a career-high 51 attempts, for 257 yards, 1 touchdown and 3 interceptions. Anthony Millar had 8 catches for 103 yards.

#### Week 16: at Kansas City Chiefs

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Chargers | 10 | 7 | 0 | 7 | 24 |
| Chiefs | 0 | 14 | 7 | 7 | 28 |
at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri
* Date: December 19
* Game time: 3:00 p.m. CST
* Game weather: 34 °F (1.1 °C), relative humidity 80%, wind 8 miles per hour (13 km/h; 7.0 kn), wind chill 27 °F (−2.8 °C)
* Game attendance: 74,778
* Referee: Bob McElwee
* TV announcers (NBC): Charlie Jones and Todd Christensen
* Box score
Game information :
First quarter
SDG – Ronnie Harmon 28-yard pass from Stan Humphries (John Carney kick), 13:25. Chargers 7–0. Drive: 3 plays, 30 yards, 1:14.
SDG – John Carney 38-yard field goal, 11:13. Chargers 10–0. Drive: 4 plays, 6 yards, 1:49.
Second quarter
SDG – Duane Young 3-yard pass from John Friesz (John Carney kick), 14:57. Chargers 17–0. Drive: 9 plays, 60 yards, 3:58.
KAN – Marcus Allen 1-yard run (Nick Lowery kick), 7:32. Chargers 17–7. Drive: 14 plays, 77 yards, 7:25.
KAN – Willie Davis 9-yard pass from Joe Montana (Nick Lowery kick), 2:10. Chargers 17–14. Drive: 8 plays, 66 yards, 3:43.
Third quarter
KAN – J. J. Birden 4-yard pass from Joe Montana (Nick Lowery kick), 4:39. Chiefs 21–17. Drive: 5 plays, 20 yards, 1:34.
Fourth quarter
KAN – Willie Davis 28-yard pass from Dave Krieg (Nick Lowery kick), 12:54. Chiefs 28–17. Drive: 6 plays, 60 yards, 2:56.
SDG – Natrone Means 2-yard run (John Carney kick), 5:27. Chiefs 28–24. Drive: 6 plays, 32 yards, 2:56.
Top passers
SDG – John Friesz – 19/38, 161 yards, TD, 2 INT
KAN – Joe Montana – 18/32, 168 yards, 2 TD, INT
Top rushers
SDG – Marion Butts – 15 rushes, 61 yards
KAN – Todd McNair – 8 rushes, 42 yards
Top receivers
SDG – Anthony Miller – 5 receptions, 67 yards
KAN – Willie Davis – 4 receptions, 84 yards, 2 TD :
The Chargers were officially eliminated from playoff contention, after losing a topsy-turvy struggle. They a dream start, Donald Frank intercepting Joe Montana on the very first play from scrimmage, and Stan Humphries throwing a 28-yard touchdown to Ronnie Harmon three plays later. Humphries was knocked out of the game with a concussion, but the big plays kept coming, Plummer forcing a fumble which Mims recovered, setting up a Carney field goal. When blocking tight end Duane Young caught his first career touchdown pass from Friesz, it was 17–0 three seconds into the 2nd quarter.
The Chiefs responded quickly, scoring 14 points on their next two drives, and turning a Gordon fumble and Friesz interception into 14 more after half time. The tide then turned San Diego's way, with consecutive drives into the red zone - they turned the ball over on downs the first time, but quickly forced a punt and scored through Means.
The final Charger drive began on their own 28 with 2:07 to play. Friesz completed four consecutive passes to reach a first down at the Kansas City 32, but threw straight at Albert Lewis on the next play for a game-sealing interception.

#### Week 17: vs. Miami Dolphins

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Dolphins | 3 | 10 | 7 | 0 | 20 |
| Chargers | 10 | 14 | 14 | 7 | 45 |
at Jack Murphy Stadium, San Diego, California
* Date: December 27
* Game time: 6:00 p.m. PST
* Game weather: 60 °F (15.6 °C), relative humidity 50%, wind 7 mph
* Game attendance: 60,311
* Referee: Dick Hantak
* TV announcers (ABC): Al Michaels, Frank Gifford and Dan Dierdorf
* Box score
Game information :
First quarter
SDG – John Carney 20-yard field goal, 10:25. Chargers 3–0. Drive: 7 plays, 3 yards, 2:40.
MIA – Pete Stoyanovich 31-yard field goal, 5:56. Tied 3–3. Drive: 9 plays, 34 yards, 4:29.
SDG – Natrone Means 1-yard run (John Carney kick), 1:23. Chargers 10–3. Drive: 9 plays, 76 yards, 4:33.
Second quarter
MIA – Pete Stoyanovich 50-yard field goal, 12:56. Chargers 10–6. Drive: 11 plays, 53 yards, 3:27.
SDG – Natrone Means 65-yard run (John Carney kick), 12:41. Chargers 17–6. Drive: 1 play, 65 yards, 0:15.
MIA – Keith Byars 1-yard run (Pete Stoyanovich kick), 6:217. Chargers 17–13. Drive: 11 plays, 74 yards, 6:24.
SDG – Anthony Miller 41-yard pass from Stan Humphries (John Carney kick), 0:00. Chargers 24–13. Drive: 3 plays, 53 yards, 0:12.
Third quarter
SDG – Ronnie Harmon 21-yard pass from Stan Humphries (John Carney kick), 13:39. Chargers 31–13. Drive: 3 plays, 57 yards, 1:21.
SDG – Anthony Miller 14-yard pass from Stan Humphries (John Carney kick), 6:20. Chargers 38–13. Drive: 12 plays, 78 yards, 5:08.
MIA – Keith Byars 13-yard pass from Scott Mitchell (Pete Stoyanovich kick), 3:17. Chargers 38–20. Drive: 10 plays, 81 yards, 3:03.
Fourth quarter
SDG – Natrone Means 2-yard run (John Carney kick), 10:59. Chargers 45–20. Drive: 15 plays, 65 yards, 7:18.
Top passers
MIA – Scott Mitchell – 24/40, 260 yards, TD, 3 INT
SDG – Stan Humphries – 19/29, 248 yards, 3 TD
Top rushers
MIA – Terry Kirby – 10 rushes, 25 yards
SDG – Natrone Means – 18 rushes, 118 yards, 3 TD
Top receivers
MIA – Terry Kirby – 7 receptions, 74 yards
SDG – Anthony Miller – 7 receptions, 110 yards, 2 TD :
After scoring only six touchdowns in their previous seven home games, the Chargers exploded for six in a single night, routing the playoff-chasing Dolphins and avenging their recent playoff defeat. The biggest scoring plays came in the 2nd quarter. First, Natrone Means burst through the line and outran the secondary for a 65-yard touchdown, his second of the game. Then, with five seconds to play in the half, the Chargers reached the Dolphin 41 with five seconds to play in the half. Humphries lofted a Hail Mary that was deflected in the air and grabbed by Anthony Miller just before he stepped out of the end zone. Harmon, Miller and Means added further scores in a processional second half.
Humphries finished 19 of 29 for 248 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions, a QB rating of 126.8. Miller had 7 catches for 110 yards and two touchdowns; Means carried 18 times for 118 yards and scored three times. On defense, Darren Carrington had two interceptions while Donald Frank added a third.

#### Week 18: at Tampa Bay Buccaneers

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Chargers | 10 | 3 | 3 | 16 | 32 |
| Buccaneers | 0 | 3 | 7 | 7 | 17 |
at Tampa Stadium, Tampa, Florida
* Date: January 2
* Game time: 4:00 p.m. EST
* Game weather: 68 °F (20.0 °C), relative humidity 90%, wind 9 mph
* Game attendance: 35,587
* Referee: Gary Lane
* TV announcers (NBC): Drew Goodman and Bob Trumpy
* Box score
Game information :
First quarter
SDG – John Carney 48-yard field goal, 10:49. Chargers 3–0. Drive: 9 plays, 51 yards, 4:11.
SDG – Anthony Miller 48-yard pass from Stan Humphries (John Carney kick), 5:47. Chargers 10–0. Drive: 6 plays, 68 yards, 2:57.
Second quarter
TB – Michael Husted 21-yard field goal, 10:14. Chargers 10–3. Drive: 19 plays, 84 yards, 10:33.
SDG – John Carney 38-yard field goal, 1:16. Chargers 13–3. Drive: 4 plays, -3 yards, 0:29.
Third quarter
TB – Lamar Thomas 20-yard pass from Craig Erickson (Michael Husted kick), 5:45. Chargers 13–10. Drive: 5 plays, 64 yards, 2:12.
SDG – John Carney 43-yard field goal, 0:52. Chargers 16–10. Drive: 10 plays, 55 yards, 4:53.
Fourth quarter
TB – Courtney Hawkins 42-yard pass from Craig Erickson (Michael Husted kick), 8:26. Buccaneers 17–16. Drive: 6 plays, 68 yards, 2:35.
SDG – John Carney 45-yard field goal, 6:17. Chargers 19–17. Drive: 5 plays, 52 yards, 2:09.
SDG – Duane Young 12-yard pass from Stan Humphries (kick failed), 2:35. Chargers 25–17. Drive: 5 plays, 35 yards, 1:59.
SDG – Natrone Means 15-yard run (John Carney kick), 1:51. Chargers 32–17. Drive: 2 plays, 17 yards, 0:25.
Top passers
SDG – Stan Humphries – 18/30, 272 yards, 2 TD
TB – Craig Erickson – 21/41, 272 yards, 2 TD, 3 INT
Top rushers
SDG – Marion Butts – 13 rushes, 52 yards
TB – Reggie Cobb – 21 rushes, 67 yards
Top receivers
SDG – Anthony Miller – 7 receptions, 119 yards, TD
TB – Horace Copeland – 7 receptions, 101 yards :
A strong finish saw the Chargers level their record at 8–8. A 48-yard Anthony Miller touchdown opened the scoring, and the Chargers led 13–3 at halftime. After San Diego botched a fake field, the game turned Tampa Bay's way, and they led 17–16 with 8:26 to play. John Carney's fourth field goal of the game restored the Chargers lead, before they converted a pair of interceptions into touchdowns by Duane Young and Natrone Means.
Humphries had another strong showing: 18 of 30, for 272 yards, 2 touchdowns and no interceptions. Anthony Miller caught 7 passes for 119 yards and his 40th and final touchdown as a Charger.

## Standings

AFC West :
| viewtalkedit | W | L | T | PCT | PF | PA | STK |
| $^{(3)}$ Kansas City Chiefs | 11 | 5 | 0 | .688 | 328 | 291 | W1 |
| $^{(4)}$ Los Angeles Raiders | 10 | 6 | 0 | .625 | 306 | 326 | W1 |
| $^{(5)}$ Denver Broncos | 9 | 7 | 0 | .563 | 373 | 284 | L2 |
| San Diego Chargers | 8 | 8 | 0 | .500 | 322 | 290 | W2 |
| Seattle Seahawks | 6 | 10 | 0 | .375 | 280 | 314 | L1 |