1971 San Diego Chargers season

The 1971 San Diego Chargers season was the franchise's second season in the National Football League (NFL), and its 12th overall. The team improved on their 5–6–3 record in 1970. It was Harland Svare's first season as the team's head coach. After a 1–4 start, the Chargers would slightly improve, winning 3 of their next 4 games. However, they would lose 3 of their final 5 games en route to a 6–8 finish. The only bright spot was quarterback John Hadl who completed 233 passes out of 431 attempts for 3,075 yards and 21 touchdowns and won the NFL Man of the Year award as well as leading the league in both passing yards and touchdown passes.

1971 San Diego Chargers season
Owner	Eugene V. Klein
General manager	Harland Svare
Head coach	Sid Gillman (games 1-10) Harland Svare (games 11-14)
Home stadium	San Diego Stadium
Results
Record	6–8
Division place	3rd AFC West
Playoffs	Did not qualify
All-Pros	None
Pro Bowlers	2 WR Gary Garrison G Walt Sweeney
← 1970 Chargers seasons 1972 →

Offseason

NFL draft

Main article: 1971 NFL draft

1971 San Diego Chargers draft
Round	Pick	Player	Position	College	Notes
1	13	Leon Burns	Running back	Long Beach State
3	65	Mike Montgomery	Running back	Kansas State
5	115	Bryant Salter	Safety	Pittsburgh
5	117	Ray White	Linebacker	Syracuse
5	119	Phil Asack	Defensive end	Duke
6	143	Jacob Mayes	Running back	Tennessee State
7	169	Chuck Dicus	Wide receiver	Arkansas
8	195	Leon Van Gorkum	Defensive end	San Diego State
9	221	John Tanner	Linebacker	Tennessee Tech
10	247	Gary Nowak	Linebacker	Michigan State
11	273	Don Pinson	Defensive back	Tennessee State
12	299	Wes Garnett	Wide receiver	Utah State
13	325	Sammy Milner	Wide receiver	Mississippi State
14	351	Edward O'Daniel	Defensive end	Texas Southern
15	377	Eric Humston	Linebacker	Muskingum
16	403	Ed Foote	Center	Hawaii
17	429	Chip Kell	Center	Tennessee
Made roster    *   Made at least one Pro Bowl during career

Roster

1971 San Diego Chargers roster

Quarterbacks (QB) 13 Wayne Clark 14 Marty Domres 21 John Hadl Running backs (RB) 38 Leon Burns 20 Mike Garrett 23 Mike Montgomery 47 Jeff Queen 36 Eddie Ray Wide receivers (WR) 28 Chuck Dicus 27 Gary Garrison 84 Walker Gillette 25 Jerry LeVias 32 Billy Parks Tight ends (TE) 88 Pettis Norman 89 Art Strozier

Offensive linemen (OL) 69 Ira Gordon T 58 Harris Jones G 55 Carl Mauck C 76 Terry Owens T 57 Jack Porter C 78 Walt Sweeney G 70 Russ Washington T 63 Doug Wilkerson G Defensive linemen (DL) 82 Steve DeLong DE 77 Ron East DT 86 Wes Grant DE 80 Kevin Hardy DT 75 Gary Nowak DT 79 Andy Rice DT 85 John Tanner DE 73 Lee Thomas DE 87 Tom Williams DE

Linebackers (LB) 60 Bob Babich MLB 59 Pete Barnes OLB 56 Bob Bruggers OLB 66 Rick Redman OLB 53 Mel Rogers OLB 81 Jeff Staggs OLB 52 Ray White OLB Defensive backs (DB) 40 Joe Beauchamp CB 35 Chuck Detwiler SS 44 Chris Fletcher FS 39 Jim Hill FS 24 Bob Howard CB 30 Bryant Salter SS 43 Jim Tolbert SS Special teams (ST) 29 Dennis Partee K/P

Reserve 64 Phil Asack DE (IR) 49 Rick Eber WR (IR) 65 Sam Gruneisen C (IR) Rookies in italics

Preseason

Week	Date	Opponent	Result	Record	Venue	Attendance
1	August 7	Washington Redskins	W 19–10	1–0	San Diego Stadium
2	August 14	Minnesota Vikings	L 7–34	1–1	San Diego Stadium
3	August 22	at San Francisco 49ers	L 17–28	1–2	Candlestick Park
4	August 28	New Orleans Saints	W 22–7	2–2	San Diego Stadium
5	September 3	at Los Angeles Rams	W 20–14	3–2	Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
6	September 11	Atlanta Falcons	W 21–14	4–2	San Diego Stadium

^[1]

Regular season

Schedule

Week	Date	Opponent	Result	Record	Venue	Attendance	Recap
1	September 19	Kansas City Chiefs	W 21–14	1–0	San Diego Stadium	54,061	Recap
2	September 26	Oakland Raiders	L 0–34	1–1	San Diego Stadium	54,084	Recap
3	October 3	at Pittsburgh Steelers	L 17–21	1–2	Three Rivers Stadium	44,339	Recap
4	October 10	at Kansas City Chiefs	L 10–31	1–3	Municipal Stadium	50,514	Recap
5	October 17	at Denver Broncos	L 16–20	1–4	Mile High Stadium	51,200	Recap
6	October 23	Buffalo Bills	W 20–3	2–4	San Diego Stadium	49,261	Recap
7	October 31	New York Jets	W 49–21	3–4	San Diego Stadium	44,786	Recap
8	November 7	at New York Giants	L 17–35	3–5	Yankee Stadium	62,905	Recap
9	November 15	St. Louis Cardinals	W 20–17	4–5	San Diego Stadium	46,486	Recap
10	November 21	at Oakland Raiders	L 33–34	4–6	Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum	54,681	Recap
11	November 28	at Cincinnati Bengals	L 0–31	4–7	Riverfront Stadium	59,580	Recap
12	December 5	Minnesota Vikings	W 30–14	5–7	San Diego Stadium	54,505	Recap
13	December 12	Denver Broncos	W 45–17	6–7	San Diego Stadium	44,347	Recap
14	December 19	at Houston Oilers	L 33–49	6–8	Houston Astrodome	35,959	Recap

Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.

Game summaries

Week 1: vs. Kansas City Chiefs

Week One: Kansas City Chiefs at San Diego Chargers – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Chiefs	7	7	0	0	14
Chargers	0	0	7	14	21

at San Diego Stadium, San Diego, California

• Date: September 19
• Game time: 1:00 p.m. PDT
• Game weather: 73 °F (22.8 °C), relative humidity 74%, wind 12 mph
• Game attendance: 54,061
• Referee: Ben Dreith
• Box score

Game information

First quarter KAN – Warren McVea 6-yard run (Jan Stenerud kick), 8:29. Chiefs 7–0. Drive: 5 plays, 31 yards, 1:36. Second quarter KAN – Ed Podolak 1-yard run (Jan Stenerud kick), 14:10. Chiefs 14–0. Drive: 10 plays, 80 yards, 5:12. Third quarter SDG – Mike Montgomery 39-yard pass from John Hadl (Dennis Partee kick), 4:04. Chiefs 14–7. Drive: 5 plays, 81 yards, 2:56. Fourth quarter SDG – Jerry LeVias 37-yard pass from John Hadl (Dennis Partee kick), 9:34. Tied 14–14. Drive: 5 plays, 67 yards, 1:01. SDG – Mike Garrett 26-yard run (Dennis Partee kick), 5:20. Chargers 21–14. Drive: 7 plays, 73 yards, 2:17. Top passers KAN – Len Dawson – 11/22, 152 yards, 2 INT SDG – John Hadl – 17/37, 260 yards, 2 TD, INT Top rushers KAN – Ed Podolak – 17 rushes, 65 yards, TD SDG – Mike Garrett – 15 rushes, 59 yards, TD Top receivers KAN – Otis Taylor – 3 receptions, 76 yards SDG – Gary Garrison – 4 receptions, 72 yards

Week 2: vs. Oakland Raiders

Week Two: Oakland Raiders at San Diego Chargers – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Raiders	3	3	14	14	34
Chargers	0	0	0	0	0

at San Diego Stadium, San Diego, California

• Date: September 26
• Game time: 1:00 p.m. PDT
• Game weather: 68 °F (20.0 °C), relative humidity 57%, wind 11 mph
• Game attendance: 54,084
• Referee: Jack Vest
• Box score

Game information

First quarter OAK – George Blanda 37-yard field goal, 4:26. Raiders 3–0. Drive: 4 plays, 7 yards, 1:29. Second quarter OAK – George Blanda 42-yard field goal, 5:01. Raiders 6–0. Drive: 7 plays, 27 yards, 2:37. Third quarter OAK – Fred Biletnikoff 36-yard pass from Daryle Lamonica (George Blanda kick), 7:55. Raiders 13–0. Drive: 8 plays, 74 yards, 4:48. OAK – Clarence Davis 2-yard run (George Blanda kick), 0:10. Raiders 20–0. Drive: 7 plays, 57 yards, 3:44. Fourth quarter OAK – Fred Biletnikoff 13-yard pass from Daryle Lamonica (George Blanda kick), 4:27. Raiders 27–0. Drive: 9 plays, 84 yards, 4:32. OAK – Ken Stabler 1-yard run (George Blanda kick), 0:21. Raiders 34–0. Drive: 5 plays, 52 yards, 2:10. Top passers OAK – Daryle Lamonica – 11/17, 162 yards, 2 TD SDG – John Hadl – 14/29, 174 yards, 5 INT Top rushers OAK – Clarence Davis – 9 rushes, 75 yards, TD SDG – Jeff Queen – 9 rushes, 31 yards Top receivers OAK – Fred Biletnikoff – 5 receptions, 93 yards, 2 TD SDG – Billy Parks – 5 receptions, 70 yards

Week 3: at Pittsburgh Steelers

Week Three: San Diego Chargers at Pittsburgh Steelers – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Chargers	3	7	7	0	17
Steelers	7	0	7	7	21

at Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

• Date: October 3
• Game time: 1:10 p.m. EDT
• Game weather: 68 °F (20.0 °C), relative humidity 82%, wind 7 mph
• Game attendance: 44,339
• Referee: Jim Tunney
• Box score

Game information

First quarter SDG – Dennis Partee 21-yard field goal, 6:26. Chargers 3–0. Drive: 12 plays, 54 yards. PIT – John Fuqua 5-yard run (Roy Gerela kick), 4:15. Steelers 7–3. Drive: 1 play, 5 yards. Second quarter SDG – Billy Parks 16-yard pass from John Hadl (Dennis Partee kick), 4:19. Chargers 10–7. Drive: 12 plays, 80 yards, 7:02. Third quarter PIT – John Fuqua 1-yard run (Roy Gerela kick), 8:47. Steelers 14–10. Drive: 4 plays, 22 yards, 1:31. SDG – Mike Garrett 4-yard run (Dennis Partee kick), 2:09. Chargers 17–14. Drive: 11 plays, 80 yards, 6:38. Fourth quarter PIT – Terry Bradshaw 5-yard run (Roy Gerela kick), 12:02. Steelers 21–17. Drive: 13 plays, 82 yards, 5:07. Top passers SDG – John Hadl – 25/36, 283 yards, TD, 2 INT PIT – Terry Bradshaw – 15/24, 175 yards Top rushers SDG – Mike Garrett – 12 rushes, 72 yards, TD PIT – John Fuqua – 15 rushes, 60 yards, 2 TD Top receivers SDG – Billy Parks – 8 receptions, 111 yards, TD PIT – John Fuqua – 5 receptions, 53 yards

Week 4: at Kansas City Chiefs

Week Four: San Diego Chargers at Kansas City Chiefs – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Chargers	3	7	0	0	10
Chiefs	0	10	7	14	31

at Municipal Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri

• Date: October 10
• Game time: 1:05 p.m. CDT
• Game weather: 53 °F (11.7 °C), relative humidity 53%, wind 10 mph
• Game attendance: 50,514
• Referee: Jack Reader
• Box score

Game information

First quarter SDG – Dennis Partee 43-yard field goal, 9:58. Chargers 3–0. Drive: 6 plays, 29 yards. Second quarter SDG – Mike Garrett 3-yard pass from John Hadl (Dennis Partee kick), 14:15. Chargers 10–0. Drive: 9 plays, 71 yards. KAN – Jim Otis 3-yard pass from Len Dawson (Jan Stenerud kick), 6:24. Chargers 10–7. Drive: 6 plays, 58 yards. KAN – Jan Stenerud 29-yard field goal, 1:13. Tied 10–10. Drive: 9 plays, 49 yards, 1:52. Third quarter KAN – Otis Taylor 3-yard pass from Len Dawson (Jan Stenerud kick), 4:23. Chargers 17–10. Drive: 7 plays, 61 yards, 3:23. Fourth quarter KAN – Warren McVea 15-yard run (Jan Stenerud kick), 11:15. Chargers 24–10. Drive: 7 plays, 60 yards, 3:24. KAN – Ed Podolak 7-yard run (Jan Stenerud kick), 0:16. Chargers 31–10. Drive: 13 plays, 70 yards, 8:28. Top passers SDG – John Hadl – 12/23, 125 yards, TD, 2 INT KAN – Len Dawson – 16/23, 188 yards, 2 TD Top rushers SDG – Mike Garrett – 7 rushes, 44 yards KAN – Wendell Hayes – 11 rushes, 80 yards Top receivers SDG – Billy Parks – 2 receptions, 36 yards SDG – Gary Garrison – 1 reception, 36 yards KAN – Otis Taylor – 6 receptions, 97 yards, TD

Week 5: at Denver Broncos

Week Five: San Diego Chargers at Denver Broncos – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Chargers	3	3	7	3	16
Broncos	7	13	0	0	20

at Mile High Stadium, Denver, Colorado

• Date: October 17
• Game time: 2:00 p.m. MDT
• Game weather: 50 °F (10.0 °C), relative humidity 90%, wind 9 mph
• Game attendance: 51,200
• Referee: Dick Jorgensen
• Box score

Game information

First quarter DEN – Bobby Anderson 1-yard run (Jim Turner kick), 11:58. Broncos 7–0. Drive: 2 plays, 3 yards. SDG – Dennis Partee 41-yard field goal, 9:15. Broncos 7–3. Drive: 6 plays, 39 yards, 2:43. Second quarter DEN – Jim Turner 49-yard field goal, 14:55. Broncos 10–3. Drive: 9 plays, 38 yards, 5:07. SDG – Dennis Partee 20-yard field goal, 11:20. Broncos 10–6. Drive: 10 plays, 36 yards, 3:35. DEN – Floyd Little 2-yard run (Jim Turner kick), 3:54. Broncos 17–6. Drive: 12 plays, 83 yards, 7:26. DEN – Jim Turner 10-yard field goal, 0:18. Broncos 20–6. Drive: 7 plays, 18 yards, 0:39. Third quarter SDG – Gary Garrison 21-yard pass from John Hadl (Dennis Partee kick), 0:53. Broncos 20–13. Drive: 4 plays, 77 yards. Fourth quarter SDG – Dennis Partee 35-yard field goal, 13:48. Broncos 20–16. Drive: 5 plays, -2 yards, 1:19. Top passers SDG – John Hadl – 18/44, 236 yards, TD, INT DEN – Don Horn – 7/17, 71 yards, INT Top rushers SDG – Billy Parks – 1 rush, 54 yards DEN – Bobby Anderson – 25 rushes, 106 yards, TD Top receivers SDG – Gary Garrison – 4 receptions, 105 yards, TD DEN – Bobby Anderson – 3 receptions, 43 yards

Week 6: vs. Buffalo Bills

Week Six: Buffalo Bills at San Diego Chargers – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Bills	0	0	3	0	3
Chargers	7	3	3	7	20

at San Diego Stadium, San Diego, California

• Date: October 23
• Game time: 6:00 p.m. PDT
• Game weather: 64 °F (17.8 °C), relative humidity 78%, wind 7 mph
• Game attendance: 49,261
• Referee: Bernie Ulman
• Box score

Game information

First quarter SDG – Billy Parks 56-yard pass from John Hadl (Dennis Partee kick), 9:51. Chargers 7–0. Drive: 7 plays, 80 yards, 2:37. Second quarter SDG – Dennis Partee 9-yard field goal, 4:13. Chargers 10–0. Drive: 15 plays, 70 yards, 7:28. Third quarter BUF – Grant Guthrie 36-yard field goal, 9:31. Chargers 10–3. Drive: 4 plays, 5 yards, 1:27. SDG – Dennis Partee 10-yard field goal, 6:31. Chargers 13–3. Drive: 5 plays, 57 yards, 3:00. Fourth quarter SDG – Billy Parks 12-yard pass from John Hadl (Dennis Partee kick), 2:27. Chargers 20–3. Drive: 5 plays, 56 yards, 3:14. Top passers BUF – James Harris – 4/8, 36 yards, INT SDG – John Hadl – 14/28, 215 yards, 2 TD, INT Top rushers BUF – O. J. Simpson – 18 rushes, 106 yards SDG – Mike Garrett – 19 rushes, 94 yards Top receivers BUF – Ike Hill – 2 receptions, 20 yards SDG – Gary Garrison – 4 receptions, 106 yards

Week 7: vs. New York Jets

Week Seven: New York Jets at San Diego Chargers – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Jets	7	7	7	0	21
Chargers	0	21	7	21	49

at San Diego Stadium, San Diego, California

• Date: October 31
• Game time: 1:00 p.m. PST
• Game weather: 57 °F (13.9 °C), relative humidity 54%, wind 10 mph
• Game attendance: 44,786
• Referee: Fred Wyant
• Box score

Game information

First quarter NYJ – Rich Caster 23-yard pass from Bob Davis (Bobby Howfield kick), 6:59. Jets 7–0. Drive: 2 plays, 35 yards, 0:57. Second quarter SDG – John Hadl 2-yard run (Dennis Partee kick), 10:32. Tied 7–7. Drive: 11 plays, 93 yards, 6:09. NYJ – John Riggins 31-yard pass from Bob Davis (Bobby Howfield kick), 5:59. Jets 14–7. Drive: 8 plays, 65 yards, 4:33. SDG – Mike Montgomery 37-yard pass from John Hadl (Dennis Partee kick), 2:45. Tied 14–14. Drive: 2 plays, 75 yards, 0:32. SDG – Billy Parks 17-yard pass from John Hadl (Dennis Partee kick), 0:26. Chargers 21–14. Drive: 4 plays, 34 yards, 0:24. Third quarter NYJ – Emerson Boozer 6-yard run (Ralph Baker pass from Bob Davis), 12:52. Tied 21–21. Drive: 3 plays, 18 yards, 1:35. SDG – Gary Garrison 49-yard pass from John Hadl (Dennis Partee kick), 9:44. Chargers 28–21. Drive: 6 plays, 80 yards, 3:08. Fourth quarter SDG – Mike Montgomery 13-yard run (Dennis Partee kick), 10:57. Chargers 35–21. Drive: 5 plays, 64 yards, 1:52. SDG – Pettis Norman 21-yard pass from John Hadl (Dennis Partee kick), 9:10. Chargers 42–21. Drive: 2 plays, 21 yards, 0:17. SDG – Chris Fletcher 36-yard interception return (Dennis Partee kick), 3:30. Chargers 49–21. Top passers NYJ – Bob Davis – 8/18, 83 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT SDG – John Hadl – 19/27, 358 yards, 4 TD, INT Top rushers NYJ – John Riggins – 10 rushes, 63 yards SDG – Mike Garrett – 9 rushes, 55 yards Top receivers NYJ – Rich Caster – 4 receptions, 53 yards, TD SDG – Gary Garrison – 6 receptions, 162 yards, TD

Week 8: at New York Giants

Week Eight: San Diego Chargers at New York Giants – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Chargers	0	3	14	0	17
Giants	7	14	0	14	35

at Yankee Stadium, New York, New York

• Date: November 7
• Game time: 1:07 p.m. EST
• Game weather: 53 °F (11.7 °C), relative humidity 69%, wind 19 mph
• Game attendance: 62,905
• Referee: Norm Schachter
• Box score

Game information

First quarter NYG – Ron Johnson 1-yard run (Pete Gogolak kick), 0:47. Giants 7–0. Drive: 13 plays, 65 yards, 8:09. Second quarter NYG – Charlie Evans 9-yard run (Pete Gogolak kick), 9:54. Giants 14–0. Drive: 6 plays, 63 yards, 3:44. NYG – Rich Kotite 43-yard pass from Fran Tarkenton (Pete Gogolak kick), 1:10. Giants 21–0. Drive: 4 plays, 75 yards, 1:34. SDG – Dennis Partee 28-yard field goal, 0:02. Giants 21–3. Drive: 5 plays, 60 yards, 1:08. Third quarter SDG – Gary Garrison 7-yard pass from John Hadl (Dennis Partee kick), 7:14. Giants 21–10. Drive: 13 plays, 74 yards, 6:31. SDG – Gary Garrison 21-yard pass from Mike Montgomery (Dennis Partee kick), 4:02. Giants 21–17. Drive: 5 plays, 58 yards, 1:10. Fourth quarter NYG – Charlie Evans 1-yard run (Pete Gogolak kick), 14:58. Giants 28–17. Drive: 8 plays, 84 yards, 4:04. NYG – Charlie Evans 1-yard run (Pete Gogolak kick), 0:55. Giants 35–17. Drive: 7 plays, 28 yards, 4:24. Top passers SDG – John Hadl – 16/31, 194 yards, TD, 2 INT NYG – Fran Tarkenton – 16/20, 83 yards, TD Top rushers SDG – Mike Garrett – 6 rushes, 45 yards NYG – Ron Johnson – 12 rushes, 67 yards, TD Top receivers SDG – Jeff Queen – 5 receptions, 85 yards NYG – Coleman Zeno – 4 receptions, 90 yards

Week 9: vs. St. Louis Cardinals

Week Nine: St. Louis Cardinals at San Diego Chargers – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Cardinals	7	3	0	7	17
Chargers	0	3	7	10	20

at San Diego Stadium, San Diego, California

• Date: November 15
• Game time: 6:00 p.m. PST
• Game weather: 57 °F (13.9 °C), relative humidity 66%, wind 9 mph
• Game attendance: 46,486
• Referee: John McDonough
• Box score

Game information

First quarter STL – Jim McFarland 3-yard pass from Jim Hart (Jim Bakken kick), 2:49. Cardinals 7–0. Drive: 10 plays, 62 yards, 4:36. Second quarter SDG – Dennis Partee 25-yard field goal, 13:36. Cardinals 7–3. Drive: 9 plays, 67 yards, 4:11. STL – Jim Bakken 13-yard field goal, 0:30. Cardinals 10–3. Drive: 14 plays, 72 yards, 4:28. Third quarter SDG – Jeff Queen 4-yard run (Dennis Partee kick), 5:32. Tied 10–10. Drive: 10 plays, 72 yards, 4:52. Fourth quarter SDG – Jeff Queen 4-yard pass from John Hadl (Dennis Partee kick), 3:16. Chargers 17–10. Drive: 9 plays, 68 yards, 5:36. STL – Cid Edwards 1-yard run (Jim Bakken kick), 0:17. Tied 17–17. Drive: 5 plays, 33 yards, 1:08. SDG – Dennis Partee 45-yard field goal, 0:00. Chargers 20–17. Drive: 3 plays, 16 yards, 0:16. Top passers STL – Jim Hart – 17/35, 214 yards, TD, 3 INT SDG – John Hadl – 20/28, 216 yards, TD, INT Top rushers STL – MacArthur Lane – 18 rushes, 82 yards SDG – Mike Montgomery – 17 rushes, 98 yards Top receivers STL – John Gilliam – 5 receptions, 76 yards SDG – Mike Montgomery – 6 receptions, 77 yards

Week 10: at Oakland Raiders

Week Ten: San Diego Chargers at Oakland Raiders – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Chargers	10	14	0	9	33
Raiders	3	7	14	10	34

at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Oakland, California

• Date: November 21
• Game time: 1:00 p.m. PST
• Game weather: 50 °F (10.0 °C), relative humidity 65%, wind 7 mph
• Game attendance: 54,681
• Referee: Jim Tunney
• Box score

Game information

First quarter OAK – George Blanda 34-yard field goal, 7:42. Raiders 3–0. Drive: 14 plays, 51 yards, 7:18. SDG – Dennis Partee 14-yard field goal, 2:01. Tied 3–3. Drive: 12 plays, 65 yards, 5:41. SDG – Jeff Queen 2-yard run (Dennis Partee kick), 0:09. Chargers 10–3. Drive: 4 plays, 14 yards, 1:39. Second quarter SDG – Mike Garrett 11-yard run (Dennis Partee kick), 5:43. Chargers 17–3. Drive: 9 plays, 80 yards, 3:53. OAK – Raymond Chester 16-yard pass from Daryle Lamonica (George Blanda kick), 4:48. Chargers 17–10. Drive: 3 plays, 61 yards, 0:55. SDG – Mike Garrett 18-yard pass from John Hadl (Dennis Partee kick), 1:10. Chargers 24–10. Drive: 7 plays, 77 yards, 3:38. Third quarter OAK – Raymond Chester 13-yard pass from Daryle Lamonica (George Blanda kick), 11:37. Chargers 24–17. Drive: 5 plays, 46 yards, 2:02. OAK – Pete Banaszak 2-yard run (George Blanda kick), 2:10. Tied 24–24. Drive: 9 plays, 68 yards, 4:52. Fourth quarter OAK – George Blanda 40-yard field goal, 11:05. Raiders 27–24. Drive: 9 plays, 28 yards, 3:55. OAK – Rod Sherman 32-yard pass from Daryle Lamonica (George Blanda kick), 6:49. Raiders 34–24. Drive: 6 plays, 64 yards, 3:29. SDG – Walker Gillette 15-yard pass from John Hadl (Dennis Partee kick), 3:08. Raiders 34–31. Drive: 10 plays, 85 yards, 3:30. SDG – Safety, Ray White tackled Jerry DePoyster in end zone, 0:00. Raiders 34–33. Top passers SDG – John Hadl – 20/36, 321 yards, 2 TD, INT OAK – Daryle Lamonica – 16/26, 190 yards, 3 TD Top rushers SDG – Mike Garrett – 13 rushes, 63 yards, TD OAK – Pete Banaszak – 10 rushes, 50 yards, TD Top receivers SDG – Mike Garrett – 4 receptions, 81 yards, TD OAK – Fred Biletnikoff – 7 receptions, 80 yards

Week 11: at Cincinnati Bengals

Week Eleven: San Diego Chargers at Cincinnati Bengals – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Chargers	0	0	0	0	0
Bengals	7	14	7	3	31

at Riverfront Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio

• Date: November 28
• Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
• Game weather: 36 °F (2.2 °C), relative humidity 80%, wind 10 mph, wind chill 29
• Game attendance: 59,580
• Referee: Bob Frederic
• Box score

Game information

First quarter CIN – Fred Willis 2-yard run (Horst Muhlmann kick), 5:41. Bengals 7–0. Drive: 11 plays, 80 yards, 4:22. Second quarter CIN – Bob Trumpy 10-yard pass from Virgil Carter (Horst Muhlmann kick), 11:57. Bengals 17–0. Drive: 8 plays, 73 yards, 3:05. CIN – Al Beauchamp 18-yard interception return (Horst Muhlmann kick), 3:42. Bengals 21–0. Third quarter CIN – Fred Willis 3-yard run (Horst Muhlmann kick), 1:59. Bengals 28–0. Drive: 17 plays, 86 yards, 9:21. Fourth quarter CIN – Horst Muhlmann 40-yard field goal, 13:06. Bengals 31–0. Drive: 6 plays, 19 yards, 2:22. Top passers SDG – John Hadl – 5/18, 49 yards, 4 INT CIN – Virgil Carter – 19/24, 174 yards, TD, INT Top rushers SDG – Mike Montgomery – 7 rushes, 30 yards CIN – Fred Willis – 2 rushes, 90 yards, 2 TD Top receivers SDG – Pettis Norman – 1 reception, 28 yards CIN – Bruce Coslet – 5 receptions, 62 yards

Week 12: vs. Minnesota Vikings

Week Twelve: Minnesota Vikings at San Diego Chargers – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Vikings	7	7	0	0	14
Chargers	7	3	0	20	30

at San Diego Stadium, San Diego, California

• Date: December 5
• Game time: 1:00 p.m. PST
• Game weather: 55 °F (12.8 °C), relative humidity 45%, wind 8 mph
• Game attendance: 54,505
• Referee: Jack Reader
• Box score

Game information

First quarter SDG – Gary Garrison 5-yard pass from John Hadl (Dennis Partee kick), 7:46. Chargers 7–0. Drive: 13 plays, 71 yards, 7:14. MIN – Oscar Reed 10-yard run (Fred Cox kick), 1:56. Tied 7–7. Drive: 11 plays, 64 yards, 5:50. Second quarter SDG – Dennis Partee 12-yard field goal, 8:57. Chargers 10–7. Drive: 10 plays, 45 yards, 4:37. MIN – Clint Jones 1-yard run (Fred Cox kick), 6:31. Vikings 14–10. Drive: 5 plays, 78 yards, 2:26. Third quarter No scoring plays. Fourth quarter SDG – Mike Garrett 5-yard pass from John Hadl (Dennis Partee kick), 13:14. Chargers 17–14. Drive: 7 plays, 63 yards, 2:52. SDG – Dennis Partee 43-yard field goal, 2:35. Chargers 20–14. Drive: 5 plays, 30 yards, 2:51. SDG – Dennis Partee 22-yard field goal, 1:27. Chargers 23–14. Drive: 4 plays, 8 yards, 0:39. SDG – Pete Barnes 36-yard interception return (Dennis Partee kick), 0:58. Chargers 30–14. Top passers MIN – Bob Lee – 8/20, 122 yards, INT SDG – John Hadl – 20/29, 165 yards, 2 TD, INT Top rushers MIN – Clint Jones – 26 rushes, 96 yards, TD SDG – Jerry LeVias – 2 rushes, 61 yards Top receivers MIN – Bill Brown – 3 receptions, 61 yards SDG – Jerry LeVias – 7 receptions, 56 yards

Week 13: vs. Denver Broncos

Week Thirteen: Denver Broncos at San Diego Chargers – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Broncos	0	3	7	7	17
Chargers	7	7	14	17	45

at San Diego Stadium, San Diego, California

• Date: December 12
• Game time: 1:00 p.m. PST
• Game weather: 51 °F (10.6 °C), relative humidity 52%, wind 8 mph
• Game attendance: 44,347
• Referee: Ben Dreith
• Box score

Game information

First quarter SDG – Jeff Queen 9-yard pass from John Hadl (Dennis Partee kick), 2:20. Chargers 7–0. Drive: 3 plays, 45 yards, 1:28. Second quarter DEN – Jim Turner 13-yard field goal, 10:13. Chargers 7–3. Drive: 7 plays, 57 yards, 3:53. SDG – Chuck Dicus 13-yard pass from John Hadl (Dennis Partee kick), 5:08. Chargers 14–3. Drive: 11 plays, 78 yards, 5:05. Third quarter SDG – Gary Garrison 77-yard pass from John Hadl (Dennis Partee kick), 13:33. Chargers 21–3. Drive: 2 plays, 72 yards, 1:27. SDG – Jeff Queen 2-yard pass from John Hadl (Dennis Partee kick), 5:33. Chargers 28–3. Drive: 14 plays, 72 yards, 5:51. DEN – Floyd Little 12-yard run (Jim Turner kick), 1:01. Chargers 28–10. Drive: 1 play, 24 yards, 0:18. Fourth quarter SDG – Dennis Partee 9-yard field goal, 10:15. Chargers 31–10. Drive: 10 plays, 75 yards, 5:46. DEN – Fran Lynch 40-yard pass from Steve Ramsey (Jim Turner kick), 7:56. Chargers 31–17. Drive: 4 plays, 82 yards, 2:19. SDG – Mike Garrett 1-yard run (Dennis Partee kick), 4:52. Chargers 38–17. Drive: 4 plays, 80 yards, 3:04. SDG – Walker Gillette 25-yard pass from Marty Domres (Dennis Partee kick), 1:54. Chargers 45–17. Drive: 6 plays, 60 yards, 1:44. Top passers DEN – Steve Ramsey – 10/25, 169 yards, TD, 3 INT SDG – John Hadl – 21/36, 332 yards, 4 TD Top rushers DEN – Floyd Little – 18 rushes, 96 yards, TD SDG – Mike Garrett – 15 rushes, 62 yards, TD Top receivers DEN – Billy Masters – 4 receptions, 43 yards SDG – Jerry LeVias – 6 receptions, 83 yards

Week 14: at Houston Oilers

Week Fourteen: San Diego Chargers at Houston Oilers – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Chargers	0	23	7	3	33
Oilers	0	7	28	14	49

at Astrodome, Houston, Texas

• Date: November 28
• Game time: 1:00 p.m. CST
• Game weather: N/A (game played indoors)
• Game attendance: 35,959
• Box score

Game information

First quarter No scoring plays. Second quarter SDG – Jeff Queen 4-yard run (Dennis Partee kick), 11:57. Chargers 7–0. SDG – Dennis Partee 50-yard field goal, 11:57. Chargers 10–0. HOU – Charlie Joiner 14-yard pass from Woody Campbell (Mark Moseley kick), 3:42. Chargers 10–7. SDG – Jeff Queen 5-yard run (Dennis Partee kick), 11:57. Chargers 17–7. SDG – Bob Babich 27-yard defensive fumble return (kick failed), 11:57. Chargers 23–7. Third quarter HOU – Robert Holmes 1-yard run (Mark Moseley kick), 1:59. Chargers 23–14. SDG – Leon River 1-yard run (Dennis Partee kick), 1:59. Chargers 30–14. HOU – Ken Burrough 62-yard pass from Dan Pastorini (Mark Moseley kick), 3:42. Chargers 30–21. HOU – Ken Houston 35-yard interception return (Mark Moseley kick), 3:42. Chargers 30–28. HOU – Ken Houston 29-yard interception return (Mark Moseley kick), 3:42. Houston 35–30. Fourth quarter SDG – Dennis Partee 20-yard field goal, 11:57. Houston 35–33. HOU – Robert Holmes 2-yard run (Mark Moseley kick), 1:59. Houston 42–33. HOU – Bob Atkins 25-yard interception return (Mark Moseley kick), 1:59. Houston 49–33. Top passers SDG – John Hadl – 12/29, 147 yards, 3 INT HOU – Dan Pastorini – 14/22, 212 yards, TD, 3 INT Top rushers SDG – Jeff Queen – 13 rushes, 53 yards, 2 TD HOU – Robert Holmes – 16 rushes, 92 yards, 2 TD Top receivers SDG – Jerry LeVias – 5 receptions, 68 yards HOU – Ken Burrough – 4 receptions, 122 yards, TD

Standings

AFC West
view talk edit	W	L	T	PCT	DIV	CONF	PF	PA	STK
Kansas City Chiefs	10	3	1	.769	4–1–1	8–2–1	302	208	W3
Oakland Raiders	8	4	2	.667	4–1–1	7–3–1	344	278	W1
San Diego Chargers	6	8	0	.429	2–4	4–7	311	341	L1
Denver Broncos	4	9	1	.308	1–5	3–6–1	203	275	L2

Note: Tie games were not officially counted in the standings until 1972.

Awards

Walt Sweeney and Gary Garrison were named to the AFC Pro Bowl squad;^[2] No Chargers were named All-Pro by the Associated Press, though Sweeney was named the best in his Conference.^[3] Hadl was a runner-up for the AP NFL Most Valuable Player award, receiving one of the sixty available votes.^[4]