2008 San Diego Chargers season The 2008 San Diego Chargers season was the franchise ' s 49th overall season and their 39th in the NFL . While they completed the regular season with only an 8 – 8 record , they nonetheless captured their third consecutive AFC West championship . In the first round of the playoffs , the Chargers upset the Indianapolis Colts , but they were eliminated the following week during their divisional round game on the road against the eventual Super Bowl champion Pittsburgh Steelers . The Chargers became the first team to go 8 – 8 and win their division since 1985 , and by winning their Wild Card playoff game against the Indianapolis Colts , became the first team in NFL history to actually go an entire season without having a winning record until " after " the first round of the playoffs . They also became the first team in NFL history to start the season 4 – 8 , yet make the playoffs . 2008 schedule . Regular season . On October 26 , the Chargers had a game against the New Orleans Saints in London , England , where the Saints were the designated home team . i . e . They were playing their home game in London . This was the second NFL game played in London in as many years . < nowiki > * < / nowiki > NFL overseas game in England . New Orleans is the designated home team . < br > < nowiki > * * < / nowiki > Game time changed due to NBC ' s flex scheduling . Regular season results . Week 1 : vs . Carolina Panthers . The Chargers began their 2008 campaign at home against the Carolina Panthers . After a scoreless first quarter , the Panthers pounced first as kicker John Kasay got a 44 - yard field goal . The Chargers would take the lead with QB Philip Rivers completing a 44 - yard TD pass to WR Chris Chambers , yet Carolina would take the halftime lead as Kasay nailed a 33 - yard and a 30 - yard field goal . In the third quarter , San Diego got the lead with kicker Nate Kaeding getting a 27 - yard field goal , yet the Panthers regained the lead with CB Chris Gamble returning a fumble 31 yards for a touchdown . In the fourth quarter , Carolina increased its lead with Kasay nailing a 49 - yard field goal . Afterwards , the Chargers got the lead again with Rivers completing a 24 - yard TD pass to TE Antonio Gates and a 5 - yard TD pass to WR Vincent Jackson . However , Panthers QB Jake Delhomme threw the game - winning 14 - yard TD pass to TE Dante Rosario . With the surprising loss , San Diego began its season at 0 – 1 . Week 2 : at Denver Broncos . Hoping to rebound from their last - second home loss to the Panthers , the Chargers flew to Invesco Field at Mile High for a Week 2 AFC West duel with the Denver Broncos . In the first quarter , San Diego trailed early as FB Michael Pittman getting a 1 - yard TD run , after a Philip Rivers pass to Chris Chambers was ruled an interception on the field . The Chargers challenged the ruling , but the replay system was inoperative to the officials , so the ruling on the field stood . The ' Bolts would respond with kicker Nate Kaeding getting a 34 - yard field goal . In the second quarter , Denver increased its lead with QB Jay Cutler completing a 3 - yard and a 14 - yard TD pass to TE Tony Scheffler . San Diego would immediately respond with RB Darren Sproles returning a kickoff 103 yard for a touchdown , yet the Broncos replied with kicker Matt Prater getting a 52 - yard field goal . The Chargers would strike at Denver ' s lead as QB Philip Rivers completing a 48 - yard TD pass to WR Chris Chambers , yet the Broncos would end the half with Cutler completing a 6 - yard TD pass to WR Brandon Marshall . In the third quarter , the ' Bolts began to rally as Rivers completed a 15 - yard TD pass to Chambers , along with Kaeding nailing a 21 - yard field goal . In the fourth quarter , San Diego took the lead with Kaeding ' s 28 - yard field goal and Rivers ' 66 - yard TD pass to Sproles . However , Denver responded with a 12 - play , 80 - yard drive ( which included a second controversial officiating call that turned a game - winning fumble into an incomplete pass ) that conclude with Cutler completing a 4 - yard TD pass to WR Eddie Royal , including Cutler ' s 2 - point conversion pass to Royal . Notable : The game has been titled by press and websites as " The Mile High Highjacking " after the officiating call that cost San Diego the game . With yet - another last - moment loss , the Chargers fell to 0 – 2 . Week 3 : vs . New York Jets . Hoping to avoid an 0 – 3 start , the Chargers went home for a Week 3 MNF duel with the New York Jets . In the first quarter , San Diego trailed early as Jets CB David Barrett returned an interception 25 yards for a touchdown on QB Philip Rivers ' first attempted pass of the game . The Chargers responded with kicker Nate Kaeding ' s 36 - yard field goal and a Rivers 1 - yard TD pass to rookie FB Mike Tolbert . In the second quarter , the ' Bolts increased their lead as CB Antonio Cromartie returned an interception 52 yards for a touchdown . New York tried to answer as QB Brett Favre completed a 3 - yard TD pass to WR Laveranues Coles , yet the Chargers replied with Rivers completing a 27 - yard TD pass to WR Chris Chambers and a 6 - yard TD pass to TE Antonio Gates . In the third quarter , San Diego continued its march as RB LaDainian Tomlinson got a 2 - yard TD run . In the fourth quarter , the Jets tried to rally as Favre completed a 4 - yard TD pass to WR Chansi Stuckey ( with a failed 2 - point conversion ) and kicker Jay Feely got a 32 - yard field goal . San Diego would answer with Tomlinson ' s 2 - yard TD run . New York tried to make another rally as Favre completed a 13 - yard TD pass to TE Dustin Keller ( with another failed 2 - point conversion ) , yet the ' Bolts pulled away as Kaeding nailed a 49 - yard field goal . With the win , the Chargers improved to 1 – 2 . Week 4 : at Oakland Raiders . Coming off their MNF home win over the Jets , the Chargers flew to Oakland - Alameda County Coliseum for a Week 4 AFC West duel with the Oakland Raiders . In the first quarter , the ' Bolts trailed early as Raiders kicker Sebastian Janikowski got a 22 - yard field goal , along with Safety Gibril Wilson sacking QB Philip Rivers in his endzone for a safety . In the second quarter , San Diego continued to trail as QB JaMarcus Russell completed a 63 - yard TD pass to TE Zach Miller , along with Janikowski ' s 28 - yard field goal . In the third quarter the Chargers began to rally as kicker Nate Kaeding made a 28 - yard field goal . In the fourth quarter , the ' Bolts continued their rally as Rivers completed a 9 - yard TD pass to TE Antonio Gates , along with RB LaDainian Tomlinson getting a 13 - yard TD run ( with a successful 2 - point conversion pass from Rivers to RB Darren Sproles ) . Oakland tried to respond as Janikowski got a 32 - yard field goal , yet San Diego completed its comeback with Kaeding making a 47 - yard field goal and Tomlinson rushing for a 41 - yard TD run . With the win , the Chargers improved to 2 – 2 . Notable : Through 15 games against a single opponent , LaDainian Tomlinson set a new record in touchdowns and yards against an opponent previously held by Barry Sanders , 1 , 763 yards , and Marcus Allen , 20 Touchdowns , respectively , by totaling 1 , 815 yards and 21 touchdowns . In this game , Janikowski attempted and failed a 76 - yard field goal . Week 5 : at Miami Dolphins . Coming off their divisional road win over the Raiders , the Chargers flew to Dolphin Stadium for a Week 5 duel with the Miami Dolphins . In the first quarter , the ' Bolts struck first with kicker Nate Kaeding getting a 34 - yard field goal . The Dolphins would respond with kicker Dan Carpenter nailing a 47 - yard field goal . In the second quarter , Miami took the lead as QB Chad Pennington completing a 17 - yard TD pass to WR Greg Camarillo , along with RB Ronnie Brown getting a 5 - yard TD run . In the third quarter , San Diego tried to rally as QB Philip Rivers completed a 17 - yard TD pass to WR Chris Chambers ( a former Dolphin ) . However , Miami ' s defense prevented the ' Bolts from striking again . With the loss , the Chargers fell to 2 – 3 . Week 6 : vs . New England Patriots . Hoping to rebound from their road loss to the Dolphins , the Chargers went home , donned their alternate uniforms , and played a Week 6 Sunday night duel with the New England Patriots , in a rematch of last year ' s AFC Championship game . In the first quarter , the ' Bolts struck first as kicker Nate Kaeding got a 25 - yard field goal , along with QB Philip Rivers completing a 49 - yard TD pass to WR Malcom Floyd . In the second quarter , the Patriots got on the board as kicker Stephen Gostkowski got a 47 - yard field goal . San Diego closed out the half with Rivers completing a 4 - yard TD pass to WR Vincent Jackson . In the third quarter , the Chargers continued its victory march as Rivers completed a 1 - yard TD pass to TE Antonio Gates , along with Kaeding kicking a 35 - yard field goal . In the fourth quarter , the ' Bolts closed out the night with Kaeding nailing a 35 - yard field goal . New England would respond with RB Sammy Morris getting a 1 - yard TD run , yet San Diego was too much for them . With the win , the Chargers improved to 3 – 3 . Week 7 : at Buffalo Bills . With the loss , the Chargers fell to 3 – 4 . Week 8 : at New Orleans Saints . Hoping to rebound from their road loss to the Bills , the Chargers flew to Wembley Stadium for the 2008 International Series game with the New Orleans Saints . In the first quarter , San Diego trailed early as kicker Taylor Mehlhaff got a 23 - yard field goal . The ' Bolts would respond with kicker Nate Kaeding getting a 33 - yard field goal . In the second quarter , New Orleans regained the lead as QB Drew Brees ( a former Charger ) completed a 12 - yard TD pass to WR Devery Henderson ( with a failed PAT ) and RB Deuce McAllister getting a 1 - yard TD run . San Diego answered as QB Philip Rivers completed a 12 - yard TD pass to RB LaDainian Tomlinson , but the Saints replied with Brees completing a 30 - yard TD pass to WR Lance Moore . The Chargers closed out the half with Rivers completing a 12 - yard TD pass to TE Antonio Gates . In the third quarter , New Orleans increased its lead Brees completing a 1 - yard TD pass to TE Mark Campbell , after a very controversial Pass interference call on cornerback Cletis Gordon put the Saints on the 1 - yard line . The ' Bolts would answer with Kaeding getting a 24 - yard field goal . In the fourth quarter , the Saints continued to build its lead as FB Mike Karney got a 1 - yard TD run . San Diego tried to rally as Kaeding nailed a 31 - yard field goal , Rivers completed a 14 - yard TD pass to WR Vincent Jackson , and Brees giving the ' Bolts a safety via an incomplete pass thrown into the back of his own endzone . However , New Orleans ' defense stiffened for the win . With the loss , the Chargers went into their bye week at 3 – 5 . Week 10 : vs . Kansas City Chiefs . Coming off their bye week , the Chargers went home for a Week 10 AFC West duel with the Kansas City Chiefs . In the first quarter , San Diego trailed early as Chiefs QB Tyler Thigpen completed a 30 - yard TD pass to WR Mark Bradley . In the second quarter , the ' Bolts got on the board as kicker Nate Kaeding got a 34 - yard and a 26 - yard field goal . Kansas City would close out the half as Thigpen completed a 34 - yard TD pass to TE Tony Gonzalez ( with a failed 2 - point conversion ) . In the third quarter , the Chargers tied the game as QB Philip Rivers completed a 5 - yard TD pass to WR Malcom Floyd . In the fourth quarter , San Diego took the lead as Rivers completed an 8 - yard TD pass to TE Antonio Gates . The Chiefs tried to rally as Thigpen completed a 3 - yard TD pass to Gonzalez after a very controversial Pass Interference call on Safety Clinton Hart , in which Gonzalez did not look for a flag , making the call even more controversial . Fortunately , the Chargers ' defense stopped both the 2 - point conversion and the ensuing onside kick to preserve their much - needed victory . With the win , the ' Bolts improved to 4 – 5 . Week 11 : at Pittsburgh Steelers . Coming off their divisional home win over the Chiefs , the Chargers flew to Heinz Field for a Week 11 duel with the Pittsburgh Steelers . In the first quarter , the ' Bolts struck first as RB LaDainian Tomlinson got a 3 - yard TD run . In the second quarter , the Steelers slowly responded as LB James Harrison forced a fumble from QB Philip Rivers in his own endzone , which was picked up by OT Marcus McNeill , who got tackled by Harrison in the endzone for a safety . Pittsburgh would end the half as kicker Jeff Reed got a 21 - yard field goal . In the third quarter , the Steelers took the lead as Reed made a 22 - yard field goal . In the fourth quarter , San Diego regained the lead as kicker Nate Kaeding made a 22 - yard field goal . However , Pittsburgh got the lead as Reed nailed a 32 - yard field goal . With the loss , the Chargers fell to 4 – 6 . This marked the first time in NFL history that an NFL game ended with a final score of 11 – 10 . Week 12 : vs . Indianapolis Colts . Hoping to rebound from their road loss to the Steelers , the Chargers went home for a Week 12 Sunday Night game with the Indianapolis Colts . In the first quarter , San Diego trailed early as Colts kicker Adam Vinatieri made a 23 - yard field goal . In the second quarter , the ' Bolts took the lead as kicker Nate Kaeding got a 35 - yard field goal , while QB Philip Rivers completed a 39 - yard TD pass to WR Vincent Jackson . Indianapolis would tie the game with QB Peyton Manning completing a 13 - yard TD pass to WR Anthony Gonzalez . In the third quarter , the Colts took the lead with Manning ' s 1 - yard TD pass to RB Dominic Rhodes . In the fourth quarter , Indianapolis increased their lead as Vinatieri got a 38 - yard field goal . San Diego would rally to tie the game as Rivers completed a 1 - yard TD pass to rookie FB Jacob Hester , while Kaeding made a 47 - yard field goal . However , the Colts came out on top as Vinatieri nailed the game - winning 51 - yard field goal . With the loss , the Chargers fell to 4 – 7 . This marked the 5th game the Chargers lost in the last 24 seconds . Week 13 : vs . Atlanta Falcons . Hoping to rebound from their last - second loss to the Colts , the Chargers stayed at home for a Week 13 interconference duel with the Atlanta Falcons . In the first quarter , San Diego trailed early as Falcons kicker Jason Elam got a 35 - yard field goal . The ' Bolts would strike back as RB LaDainian Tomlinson got a 3 - yard TD run ( which was his 136th career TD , tying him with Marshall Faulk for fifth all - time ) . Atlanta answered with Elam making a 40 - yard field goal . In the second quarter , the Falcons took the lead as QB Matt Ryan completed an 18 - yard TD pass to former Chargers TE Justin Peelle , along with Atlanta ' s defense forcing QB Philip Rivers to commit intentional grounding from his own endzone , giving the Falcons a safety . In the third quarter , San Diego began to charge back as safety Eric Weddle returned a fumble 86 yards for a touchdown ( with a failed two - point conversion ) . In the fourth quarter , Atlanta began to pull away as Ryan completed a 5 - yard TD pass to WR Harry Douglas . The Chargers tried to come back as kicker Nate Kaeding nailed a 28 - yard field goal . However , the Falcons ' defense prevented any possible comeback . With the loss , the Chargers fell to 4 – 8 . This was San Diego ' s seventh loss by one possession . Week 14 : vs . Oakland Raiders . Trying to snap a three - game losing streak , the Chargers stayed at home , donned their alternate uniforms again , and played a Week 14 AFC West rematch with the Oakland Raiders . In the first quarter , the ' Bolts struck first as kicker Nate Kaeding got a 20 - yard field goal , along with RB LaDainian Tomlinson getting a 3 - yard TD run . In the second quarter , San Diego increased their lead as QB Philip Rivers completed an 8 - yard TD pass to RB Darren Sproles and a 59 - yard TD pass to WR Vincent Jackson , while Kaeding made a 39 - yard field goal . Oakland would close out the half with CB Justin Miller returning a kickoff 98 yards for a touchdown . After a scoreless third quarter , the ' Bolts pulled away in the fourth quarter as Rivers hooked up with Sproles again on an 18 - yard TD pass . With the sweep , the Chargers improved to 5 – 8 . Week 15 : at Kansas City Chiefs . Hoping to get a 2nd straight win and stay alive for the playoffs , the Chargers went to Kansas City for a divisional road game vs . the Chiefs . The ' Bolts trailed early as RB Larry Johnson threw a 4 - yard TD pass to TE Tony Gonzalez . The Chiefs extended the lead to 14 – 0 when QB Tyler Thigpen completed a 1 - yard TD pass to WR Dwayne Bowe . The ' Bolts closed out the half with Nate Kaeding getting a 32 - yard field goal . The Chiefs started the 2nd half by Thigpen scrambling for a 3 - yard TD . The Chargers started to rally as RB LaDainian Tomlinson getting a 6 - yard TD run , while QB Phillip Rivers completed a 4 - yard TD to Malcom Floyd [ with a failed 2 - pt conversion ] with 1 : 19 left in the game . The ' Bolts recovered the onside kick and Rivers threw a 10 - yard TD to WR Vincent Jackson with 40 seconds left [ with another failed 2 - pt try ] . to take a 22 – 21 lead . The Chiefs ' only answer was kicker Connor Brath ' s 50 - yard field goal try sailing wide left as time expried . With the comeback win the Chargers improved to 6 – 8 and stayed in the hunt for a playoff spot . Week 16 : at Tampa Bay Buccaneers . Coming off their season - sweep of the Chiefs , the Chargers flew to Raymond James Stadium for a Week 16 interconference duel with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers . In the first quarter , San Diego struck first as quarterback Philip Rivers completed an 11 - yard touchdown pass to tight Brandon Manumaleuna . The Buccaneers would respond with fullback B . J . Askew getting a 1 - yard touchdown run . The Chargers would answer in the second quarter Rivers completing a 15 - yard touchdown pass to tight end Antonio Gates , followed by kicker Nate Kaeding getting a 28 - yard field goal . Tampa Bay would answer with kicker Matt Bryant getting a 49 - yard field goal . San Diego would close out the first half with Kaeding ' s 57 - yard field goal . The Buccaneers would take the lead in the third quarter with quarterback Jeff Garcia getting a 7 - yard touchdown run and completing a 71 - yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Antonio Bryant . Afterwards , in the fourth quarter , the Chargers rallied to victory with Rivers completing a 5 - yard touchdown pass to Gates and a 32 - yard touchdown pass to running back Darren Sproles , followed by cornerback Antoine Cason returning an interception 59 yards for a touchdown . With the win , San Diego kept their playoff hopes alive at 7 – 8 . Week 17 : vs . Denver Broncos . Coming off their road win over the Buccaneers , the Chargers went home for a crucial Week 17 AFC West rematch with the Denver Broncos , with the division crown on the line . In the first quarter , San Diego struck first as kicker Nate Kaeding got a 28 - yard field goal . The Broncos would respond with running back Tatum Bell getting a 26 - yard touchdown run ( with a failed PAT ) , yet the Chargers answered with running back LaDainian Tomlinson ' s 1 - yard touchdown run . In the second quarter , San Diego would jump out to a big lead as quarterback Philip Rivers completed a 12 - yard touchdown pass to tight end Brandon Manumaleuna , followed by Tomlinson ' s 4 - yard touchdown run . Denver would try to rally in the third quarter as Bell got a 37 - yard touchdown run , yet the Chargers struck back with Rivers completing a 13 - yard touchdown pass to running back Darren Sproles , followed by a 14 - yard touchdown run by Tomlinson . The Broncos would try to make a comeback in the fourth quarter as quarterback Jay Cutler completed a 25 - yard touchdown pass to tight end Tony Scheffler ( followed by Cutler ' s 2 - point conversion run ) , yet San Diego pulled away with Sproles ' 2 - yard touchdown run and ending with rookie fullback Jacob Hester ' s 4 - yard touchdown run . With the win , not only did the Chargers finish their season at 8 – 8 , but they also won the AFC West title and clinched the AFC ' s # 4 seed . Postseason results . AFC Wild Card : vs . Indianapolis Colts . Entering the postseason as the AFC ' s fourth seed , the Chargers began their playoff run at home in the AFC Wild Card round against the # 5 Indianapolis Colts , in a rematch of their Week 12 contest . San Diego trailed in the first quarter after Colts running back Joseph Addai got a 1 - yard touchdown run . The Chargers responded in the second quarter as running back LaDainian Tomlinson got a 3 - yard touchdown run . Indianapolis answered with a 43 - yard field goal from kicker Adam Vinatieri , yet San Diego got the halftime lead with running back Darren Sproles ' s 9 - yard touchdown run . The Colts took the lead in the third quarter when quarterback Peyton Manning hiked the ball while the Chargers weren ' t paying attention and completed a 72 - yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Reggie Wayne , but then San Diego tied the game in the fourth quarter as kicker Nate Kaeding nailed a 26 - yard field goal . In overtime , the Chargers delivered the final strike as Sproles got the game - winning 22 - yard touchdown run . With the win , San Diego improved their overall record to 9 – 8 . AFC Divisional Round : at Pittsburgh Steelers . Coming off their impressive wild card home win over the Colts , the Chargers flew to Heinz Field for their AFC Divisional round duel with the # 2 Pittsburgh Steelers , in a rematch of their Week 11 contest . San Diego got off to a fast start in the first quarter as quarterback Philip Rivers completed a 41 - yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Vincent Jackson . The Steelers responded with wide receiver Santonio Holmes returning a punt 67 yards for a touchdown . The Chargers answered in the second quarter as kicker Nate Kaeding got a 42 - yard field goal , but Pittsburgh struck back with running back Willie Parker ' s 3 - yard touchdown run . The Steelers would add to their lead in the third quarter as quarterback Ben Roethlisberger completed an 8 - yard touchdown pass to tight end Heath Miller . The San Diego Chargers ran exactly one offensive play in the third quarter , which resulted in a Philip Rivers interception off a deflection . In the fourth quarter , San Diego tried to rally as Rivers completed a 4 - yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Legedu Naanee , but Pittsburgh answered with Parker ' s 16 - yard touchdown run . The Chargers tried to come back as Rivers completed a 62 - yard touchdown pass to running back Darren Sproles , but San Diego ' s onside kick attempt failed , allowing the Steelers to seal the win . With the loss , the Chargers ' season ended with an overall record of 9 – 9 .