2005 San Diego Chargers season

The 2005 San Diego Chargers season was the franchise's 36th season in the National Football League (NFL), and the 46th overall. The Chargers failed to improve on their 12–4 record in 2004, and finished the campaign 9–7 and 3rd overall in their division, missing out on the playoffs for the first time since 2003. Outside linebacker Shawne Merriman was named Rookie of the Year at the end of the season.

2005 San Diego Chargers season
Owner	Alex Spanos
General manager	A.J. Smith
Head coach	Marty Schottenheimer
Home stadium	Qualcomm Stadium
Results
Record	9–7
Division place	3rd AFC West
Playoffs	Did not qualify
All-Pros	4 TE Antonio Gates (1st team) FB Lorenzo Neal (2nd team) RB LaDainian Tomlinson (2nd team) DT Jamal Williams (1st team)
Pro Bowlers	6 TE Antonio Gates LB Shawne Merriman ST Hanik Milligan FB Lorenzo Neal RB LaDainian Tomlinson DT Jamal Williams
← 2004 Chargers seasons 2006 →

Despite missing the playoffs, the Chargers defeated some of the best teams in the NFL, such as the two time defending Super Bowl champions New England Patriots (41–17) and the previously undefeated Indianapolis Colts (26–17). Following the season, Drew Brees signed as a free agent with the New Orleans Saints. Brees was replaced by Philip Rivers who became a starter for the Chargers for the next 14 seasons.

Offseason

Draft

Main article: 2005 NFL draft

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

Personnel

Staff

2005 San Diego Chargers staff

Front office Owner – Alex Spanos President/chief executive officer – Dean Spanos Executive vice president – Michael Spanos Executive vice president/general manager – A. J. Smith Assistant general manager/director of player personnel – Buddy Nix Vice president of football operations – Ed McGuire Director of college scouting – Jimmy Raye Director of pro scouting – Fran Foley Head coaches Head coach – Marty Schottenheimer Offensive coaches Offensive coordinator – Cam Cameron Quarterbacks – Brian Schottenheimer Running backs – Clarence Shelmon Wide receivers – James Lofton Assistant wide receivers/quality control – Pete Carmichael, Jr. Tight ends – Rob Chudzinski Offensive line – Carl Mauck

Defensive coaches Defensive coordinator – Wade Phillips Defensive line – Wayne Nunnely Linebackers – Greg Manusky Assistant linebackers/quality control – John Pagano Secondary – Brian Stewart Assistant secondary – Albert Lewis Special teams coaches Special teams – Steve Crosby Strength and conditioning Strength and conditioning – Dave Redding Assistant strength and conditioning – Matt Schiotz

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Roster

2005 San Diego Chargers roster

Quarterbacks (QB)  9 Drew Brees  7 A. J. Feeley 17 Philip Rivers Running backs (RB) 41 Lorenzo Neal FB 34 Andrew Pinnock FB 43 Darren Sproles KR/PR 21 LaDainian Tomlinson 33 Michael Turner Wide receivers (WR) 82 Reche Caldwell 80 Malcom Floyd 86 Drew Haddad 83 Vincent Jackson 87 Keenan McCardell 88 Eric Parker PR Tight ends (TE) 85 Antonio Gates 84 Justin Peelle

Offensive linemen (OL) 68 Kris Dielman G 79 Mike Goff G 62 Bob Hallen C/G 61 Nick Hardwick C 75 Leander Jordan T 64 Cory Lekkerkerker T 63 Scott Mruczkowski C/G 70 Shane Olivea T 60 Wes Sims G Defensive linemen (DL) 97 Ryon Bingham NT 93 Luis Castillo DE 74 Jacques Cesaire DE 99 Igor Olshansky DE 98 Derreck Robinson DE 78 DeQuincy Scott DE 76 Jamal Williams NT

Linebackers (LB) 54 Stephen Cooper ILB 59 Donnie Edwards ILB 53 Steve Foley OLB 58 Randall Godfrey ILB 92 Marques Harris OLB 56 Shawne Merriman OLB 95 Shaun Phillips OLB 57 Matt Wilhelm ILB Defensive backs (DB) 36 Markus Curry CB 22 Sammy Davis CB 25 Jamar Fletcher CB 29 Drayton Florence CB 42 Clinton Hart FS/SS 23 Quentin Jammer CB 27 Bhawoh Jue FS 31 Hanik Milligan SS 28 Jerrell Pippens CB/S 24 Jerry Wilson FS Special teams (ST) 50 David Binn LS 10 Nate Kaeding K  5 Mike Scifres P

Reserve {{{Reserve Lists}}} Rookies in italics 53 active, 7 reserve, 8 practice squad

Preseason

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

Regular season

Schedule

In addition to their regular games with AFC West rivals, the Chargers played teams from the AFC East and NFC East as per the schedule rotation, and also played intraconference games against the Steelers and the Colts based on divisional positions from 2004.

Week	Date	Opponent	Result	Record	Venue	Attendance	Recap
1	September 11	Dallas Cowboys	L 24–28	0–1	Qualcomm Stadium	67,679	Gamebook
2	September 18	at Denver Broncos	L 17–20	0–2	Invesco Field at Mile High	75,310	Gamebook
3	September 25	New York Giants	W 45–23	1–2	Qualcomm Stadium	65,373	Gamebook
4	October 2	at New England Patriots	W 41–17	2–2	Gillette Stadium	68,756	Gamebook
5	October 10	Pittsburgh Steelers	L 22–24	2–3	Qualcomm Stadium	68,537	Gamebook
6	October 16	at Oakland Raiders	W 27–14	3–3	McAfee Coliseum	52,666	Gamebook
7	October 23	at Philadelphia Eagles	L 17–20	3–4	Lincoln Financial Field	67,747	Gamebook
8	October 30	Kansas City Chiefs	W 28–20	4–4	Qualcomm Stadium	65,750	Gamebook
9	November 6	at New York Jets	W 31–26	5–4	Giants Stadium	77,662	Gamebook
10	Bye
11	November 20	Buffalo Bills	W 48–10	6–4	Qualcomm Stadium	65,602	Gamebook
12	November 27	at Washington Redskins	W 23–17(OT)	7–4	FedExField	84,930	Gamebook
13	December 4	Oakland Raiders	W 34–10	8–4	Qualcomm Stadium	66,436	Gamebook
14	December 11	Miami Dolphins	L 21–23	8–5	Qualcomm Stadium	65,026	Gamebook
15	December 18	at Indianapolis Colts	W 26–17	9–5	RCA Dome	57,389	Gamebook
16	December 24	at Kansas City Chiefs	L 7–20	9–6	Arrowhead Stadium	75,956	Gamebook
17	December 31	Denver Broncos	L 7–23	9–7	Qualcomm Stadium	65,513	Gamebook

Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.

Game summaries

Week 1: vs. Dallas Cowboys

Week 1: Dallas Cowboys at San Diego Chargers – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Cowboys	0	14	7	7	28
Chargers	7	7	10	0	24

at Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego, California

• Date: September 11
• Game time: 1:15 p.m. PDT
• Game weather: 67 °F (19 °C), relative humidity 56%, wind 8 mph
• Game attendance: 67,679
• Referee: Peter Morelli
• TV announcers (FOX): Joe Buck, Troy Aikman and Patrick O’Neal
• Box score

Game information

First quarter SDG – LaDainian Tomlinson 2-yard run (Nate Kaeding kick), 6:53. Chargers 7–0. Drive: 11 plays, 67 yards, 5:08. Second quarter DAL – Patrick Crayton 20-yard pass from Drew Bledsoe (Jose Cortez kick), 13:34. Tied 7–7. Drive: 9 plays, 80 yards, 4:36. DAL – Keyshawn Johnson 13-yard pass from Drew Bledsoe (Jose Cortez kick), 9:46. Cowboys 14–7. Drive: 5 plays, 34 yards, 2:47. SDG – Keenan McCardell 20-yard pass from Drew Brees (Nate Kaeding kick), 2:07. Tied 14–14. Drive: 14 plays, 68 yards, 7:39. Third quarter SDG – Keenan McCardell 17-yard pass from Drew Brees (Nate Kaeding kick), 10:31. Chargers 21–14. Drive: 8 plays, 51 yards, 4:29. DAL – Julius Jones 5-yard run (Jose Cortez kick), 5:41. Tied 21–21. Drive: 11 plays, 80 yards, 4:50. SDG – Nate Kaeding 33-yard field goal, 0:12. Chargers 24–21. Drive: 10 plays, 33 yards, 5:29. Fourth quarter DAL – Keyshawn Johnson 2-yard pass from Drew Bledsoe (Jose Cortez kick), 3:06. Cowboys 28–24. Drive: 9 plays, 44 yards, 5:26. Top passers DAL – Drew Bledsoe – 18/24, 226 yards, 3 TD SDG – Drew Brees – 18/35, 209 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT Top rushers DAL – Julius Jones – 26 rushes, 93 yards, TD SDG – LaDainian Tomlinson – 19 rushes, 72 yards, TD Top receivers DAL – Patrick Crayton – 6 receptions, 89 yards, TD SDG – Keenan McCardell – 9 receptions, 123 yards, 2 TD

Week 2: at Denver Broncos

Week 2: San Diego Chargers at Denver Broncos – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Chargers	0	14	0	3	17
Broncos	3	0	7	10	20

at Invesco Field, Denver, Colorado

• Date: September 18
• Game time: 2:15 p.m. MDT
• Game weather: 77 °F (25 °C), relative humidity 23%, wind 4 mph
• Game attendance: 75,310
• Referee: Gerry Austin
• TV announcers (CBS): Kevin Harlan and Randy Cross
• Box score

Game information

First quarter DEN – Jason Elam 45-yard field goal, 2:58. Broncos 3–0. Drive: 7 plays, 28 yards, 3:08. Second quarter SDG – LaDainian Tomlinson 16-yard run (Nate Kaeding kick), 12:13. Chargers 7–3. Drive: 11 plays, 80 yards, 5:45. SDG – LaDainian Tomlinson 4-yard run (Nate Kaeding kick), 4:55. Chargers 14–3. Drive: 8 plays, 83 yards, 4:40. Third quarter DEN – Champ Bailey 25-yard interception return (Jason Elam kick), 14:49. Chargers 14–10. Fourth quarter DEN – Kyle Johnson 3-yard run (Jason Elam kick), 8:46. Broncos 17–14. Drive: 2 plays, 29 yards, 0:55. SDG – Nate Kaeding 42-yard field goal, 5:21. Tied 17–17. Drive: 8 plays, 49 yards, 3:25. DEN – Jason Elam 41-yard field goal, 0:05. Broncos 20–17. Drive: 12 plays, 57 yards, 5:16. Top passers SDG – Drew Brees – 15/23, 175 yards, INT DEN – Jake Plummer – 23/37, 248 yards, INT Top rushers SDG – LaDainian Tomlinson – 19 rushes, 52 yards, 2 TD DEN – Mike Anderson – 15 rushes, 49 yards Top receivers SDG – Antonio Gates – 6 receptions, 80 yards DEN – Rod Smith – 8 receptions, 83 yards

Week 3: vs. New York Giants

Week 3: New York Giants at San Diego Chargers – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Giants	3	17	0	3	23
Chargers	7	14	14	10	45

at Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego, California

• Date: September 25
• Game time: 5:30 p.m. PDT
• Game weather: 68 °F (20 °C), relative humidity 71%, wind 8 mph
• Game attendance: 65,373
• Referee: Walt Anderson
• TV announcers (ESPN): Mike Patrick, Joe Theismann, Paul Maguire and Suzy Kolber
• Box score

Game information

First quarter NYG – Jay Feely 22-yard field goal, 8:28. Giants 3–0. Drive: 12 plays, 75 yards, 6:32. SDG – LaDainian Tomlinson 1-yard run (Nate Kaeding kick), 4:23. Chargers 7–3. Drive: 8 plays, 65 yards, 4:05. Second quarter SDG – Keenan McCardell 15-yard pass from Drew Brees (Nate Kaeding kick), 13:05. Chargers 14–3. Drive: 7 plays, 85 yards, 3:55. SDG – LaDainian Tomlinson 3-yard run (Nate Kaeding kick), 9:35. Chargers 21–3. Drive: 6 plays, 62 yards, 2:46. NYG – Plaxico Burress 5-yard pass from Eli Manning (Jay Feely kick), 3:34. Chargers 21–10. Drive: 9 plays, 65 yards, 6:01. NYG – David Tyree 4-yard pass from Eli Manning (Jay Feely kick), 1:55. Chargers 21–17. Drive: 2 plays, 34 yards, 0:18. NYG – Jay Feely 40-yard field goal, 0:11. Chargers 21–20. Drive: 8 plays, 58 yards, 1:12. Third quarter SDG – Keenan McCardell 26-yard pass from LaDainian Tomlinson (Nate Kaeding kick), 13:08. Chargers 28–20. Drive: 4 plays, 70 yards, 1:52. SDG – Antonio Gates 14-yard pass from Drew Brees (Nate Kaeding kick), 2:59. Chargers 35–20. Drive: 11 plays, 77 yards, 6:48. Fourth quarter NYG – Jay Feely 28-yard field goal, 12:14. Chargers 35–23. Drive: 16 plays, 59 yards, 5:45. SDG – LaDainian Tomlinson 5-yard run (Nate Kaeding kick), 8:30. Chargers 42–23. Drive: 6 plays, 39 yards, 3:44. NYG – Nate Kaeding 44-yard field goal, 3:55. Chargers 45–23. Drive: 5 plays, 65 yards, 2:38. Top passers NYG – Eli Manning – 24/41, 352 yards, 2 TD SDG – Drew Brees – 19/22, 191 yards, 2 TD Top rushers NYG – Tiki Barber – 15 rushes, 60 yards SDG – LaDainian Tomlinson – 21 rushes, 192 yards, 3 TD Top receivers NYG – Jeremy Shockey – 6 receptions, 101 yards SDG – Antonio Gates – 6 receptions, 92 yards, TD

Week 4: at New England Patriots

Week 4: San Diego Chargers at New England Patriots – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Chargers	3	14	14	10	41
Patriots	7	10	0	0	17

at Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts

• Date: October 2
• Game time: 1:02 p.m. EDT
• Game weather: 73 °F (23 °C), relative humidity 51%, no wind
• Game attendance: 68,756
• Referee: Bill Leavy
• TV announcers (CBS): Jim Nantz, Phil Simms and Bonnie Bernstein
• Box score

Game information

First quarter SDG – Nate Kaeding 42-yard field goal, 6:22. Chargers 3–0. Drive: 7 plays, 49 yards, 3:55. NE – Corey Dillon 1-yard run (Adam Vinatieri kick), 1:34. Patriots 7–3. Drive: 9 plays, 70 yards, 4:48. Second quarter SDG – Keenan McCardell 11-yard pass from Drew Brees (Nate Kaeding kick), 6:21. Chargers 10–7. Drive: 9 plays, 57 yards, 5:31. NE – Tim Dwight 30-yard pass from Tom Brady (Adam Vinatieri kick), 5:29. Patriots 14–10. Drive: 2 plays, 44 yards, 0:52. SDG – LaDainian Tomlinson 8-yard run (Nate Kaeding kick), 2:47. Chargers 17–14. Drive: 5 plays, 78 yards, 2:42. NE – Adam Vinatieri 24-yard field goal, 0:21. Tied 17–17. Drive: 14 plays, 77 yards, 2:26. Third quarter SDG – LaDainian Tomlinson 1-yard run (Nate Kaeding kick), 6:16. Chargers 24–17. Drive: 9 plays, 80 yards, 4:38. SDG – Reche Caldwell 28-yard pass from Drew Brees (Nate Kaeding kick), 0:19. Chargers 31–17. Drive: 8 plays, 75 yards, 4:17. Fourth quarter SDG – Nate Kaeding 21-yard field goal, 4:44. Chargers 34–17. Drive: 15 plays, 72 yards, 8:55. SDG – Clinton Hart 40-yard interception return (Nate Kaeding kick), 0:34. Chargers 41–17. Top passers SDG – Drew Brees – 19/24, 248 yards, 2 TD NE – Tom Brady – 19/32, 224 yards, TD, INT Top rushers SDG – LaDainian Tomlinson – 25 rushes, 134 yards, 2 TD NE – Corey Dillon – 14 rushes, 63 yards, TD Top receivers SDG – Antonio Gates – 6 receptions, 108 yards NE – David Givens – 6 receptions, 66 yards

Week 5: vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

Week 5: Pittsburgh Steelers at San Diego Chargers – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Steelers	0	14	0	10	24
Chargers	0	7	6	9	22

at Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego, California

• Date: October 10
• Game time: 6:00 p.m. PDT
• Game weather: 64 °F (18 °C), relative humidity 59%, wind 8 mph
• Game attendance: 68,537
• Referee: Jeff Triplette
• TV announcers (ABC): Al Michaels, John Madden and Sam Ryan
• Box score

Game information

First quarter No scoring plays. Second quarter PIT – Ben Roethlisberger 7-yard run (Jeff Reed kick), 9:14. Steelers 7–0. Drive: 9 plays, 84 yards, 5:33. PIT – Jerome Bettis 1-yard run (Jeff Reed kick), 1:37. Steelers 14–0. Drive: 7 plays, 41 yards, 2:56. SDG – Antonio Gates 11-yard pass from Drew Brees (Nate Kaeding kick), 0:34. Steelers 14–7. Drive: 4 plays, 47 yards, 1:03. Third quarter SDG – Nate Kaeding 34-yard field goal, 9:42. Steelers 14–10. Drive: 7 plays, 47 yards, 2:13. SDG – Nate Kaeding 32-yard field goal, 3:54. Steelers 14–13. Drive: 8 plays, 45 yards, 2:53. Fourth quarter SDG – Nate Kaeding 41-yard field goal, 11:41. Chargers 16–14. Drive: 6 plays, 62 yards, 3:50. PIT – Heath Miller 16-yard pass from Ben Roethlisberger (Jeff Reed kick), 10:30. Steelers 21–16. Drive: 3 plays, 62 yards, 1:11. SDG – LaDainian Tomlinson 2-yard run (run failed), 4:42. Chargers 22–21. Drive: 11 plays, 62 yards, 5:48. PIT – Jeff Reed 40-yard field goal, 0:06. Chargers 24–22. Drive: 11 plays, 40 yards, 4:36. Top passers PIT – Ben Roethlisberger – 17/26, 225 yards, TD SDG – Drew Brees – 20/35, 219 yards, TD, INT Top rushers PIT – Jerome Bettis – 17 rushes, 54 yards, TD SDG – LaDainian Tomlinson – 18 rushes, 62 yards, TD Top receivers PIT – Hines Ward – 6 receptions, 83 yards SDG – Eric Parker – 5 receptions, 72 yards

Week 6: at Oakland Raiders

Week 6: San Diego Chargers at Oakland Raiders – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Chargers	14	10	3	0	27
Raiders	7	0	7	0	14

at McAfee Coliseum, Oakland, California

• Date: October 16
• Game time: 1:15 p.m. PDT
• Game weather: 64 °F (18 °C), relative humidity 67%, wind 7 mph
• Game attendance: 52,666
• Referee: Tom White
• TV announcers (CBS): Gus Johnson and Steve Tasker
• Box score

Game information

First quarter SDG – LaDainian Tomlinson 35-yard pass from Drew Brees (Nate Kaeding kick), 8:42. Chargers 7–0. Drive: 7 plays, 70 yards, 3:48. SDG – LaDainian Tomlinson 7-yard run (Nate Kaeding kick), 4:02. Chargers 14–0. Drive: 6 plays, 55 yards, 4:19. OAK – LaMont Jordan 4-yard run (Sebastian Janikowski kick), 0:57. Chargers 14–7. Drive: 8 plays, 66 yards, 3:05. Second quarter SDG – Nate Kaeding 32-yard field goal, 10:25. Chargers 17–7. Drive: 11 plays, 59 yards, 5:32. SDG – Justin Peelle 4-yard pass from LaDainian Tomlinson (Nate Kaeding kick), 2:39. Chargers 24–7. Drive: 11 plays, 84 yards, 6:17. Third quarter SDG – Nate Kaeding 33-yard field goal, 6:02. Chargers 27–7. Drive: 6 plays, 41 yards, 2:56. OAK – LaMont Jordan 1-yard run (Sebastian Janikowski kick), 0:34. Chargers 27–14. Drive: 13 plays, 76 yards, 5:28. Fourth quarter No scoring plays. Top passers SDG – Drew Brees – 14/20, 164 yards, TD OAK – Kerry Collins – 24/48, 292 yards, INT Top rushers SDG – LaDainian Tomlinson – 31 rushes, 140 yards, TD OAK – LaMont Jordan – 12 rushes, 36 yards, 2 TD Top receivers SDG – LaDainian Tomlinson – 2 receptions, 39 yards, TD OAK – Doug Gabriel – 5 receptions, 84 yards

Week 7: at Philadelphia Eagles

Week 7: San Diego Chargers at Oakland Raiders – Game summary

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

at Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

• Date: October 23
• Game time: 1:02 p.m. EDT
• Game weather: 53 °F (12 °C), relative humidity 45%, wind 17 mph
• Game attendance: 67,747
• Referee: Ron Winter
• TV announcers (CBS): Dick Enberg, Dan Dierdorf and Armen Keteyian
• Box score

Game information

First quarter No scoring plays. Second quarter PHI – Terrell Owens 4-yard pass from Donovan McNabb (Todd France kick), 4:47. Eagles 7–0. Drive: 13 plays, 76 yards, 5:28. Third quarter PHI – Todd France 23-yard field goal, 9:42. Eagles 10–0. Drive: 13 plays, 76 yards, 5:28. SDG – Keenan McCardell 19-yard pass from Drew Brees (Nate Kaeding kick), 3:21. Eagles 10–7. Drive: 6 plays, 41 yards, 2:56. Fourth quarter SDG – Antonio Gates 8-yard pass from Drew Brees (Nate Kaeding kick), 13:48. Chargers 14–10. Drive: 6 plays, 41 yards, 2:56. SDG – Nate Kaeding 34-yard field goal, 9:21. Chargers 17–10. Drive: 6 plays, 41 yards, 2:56. PHI – Todd France 40-yard field goal, 6:24. Chargers 17–13. Drive: 13 plays, 76 yards, 5:28. PHI – Matt Ware 65-yard blocked field goal return (Todd France kick), 2:25. Eagles 20–17. Top passers SDG – Drew Brees – 23/40, 299 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT PHI – Donovan McNabb – 35/54, 287 yards, TD, 2 INT Top rushers SDG – Drew Brees – 1 rush, 9 yards PHI – Brian Westbrook – 10 rushes, 25 yards Top receivers SDG – Reche Caldwell – 4 receptions, 97 yards PHI – Brian Westbrook – 10 receptions, 75 yards

Week 8: vs. Kansas City Chiefs

Week 8: Kansas City Chiefs at San Diego Chargers – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Chiefs	0	3	7	10	20
Chargers	7	14	0	7	28

at Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego, California

• Date: October 30
• Game time: 1:05 p.m. PST
• Game weather: 73 °F (23 °C), relative humidity 64%, wind 8 mph
• Game attendance: 65,750
• Referee: Ed Hochuli
• TV announcers (CBS): Jim Nantz, Phil Simms and Bonnie Bernstein
• Box score

Game information

First quarter SDG – Antonio Gates 19-yard pass from Drew Brees (Nate Kaeding kick), 4:30. Chargers 7–0. Drive: 9 plays, 81 yards, 4:03. Second quarter SDG – Eric Parker 17-yard pass from LaDainian Tomlinson (Nate Kaeding kick), 14:56. Chargers 14–0. Drive: 9 plays, 82 yards, 3:20. KAN – Lawrence Tynes 34-yard field goal, 1:56. Chargers 14–3. Drive: 6 plays, 53 yards, 3:28. SDG – Antonio Gates 20-yard pass from Drew Brees (Nate Kaeding kick), 0:27. Chargers 21–3. Drive: 5 plays, 74 yards, 1:29. Third quarter KAN – Tony Gonzalez 16-yard pass from Trent Green (Lawrence Tynes kick), 6:45. Chargers 21–10. Drive: 6 plays, 91 yards, 2:21. Fourth quarter KAN – Lawrence Tynes 20-yard field goal, 12:00. Chargers 21–13. Drive: 6 plays, 33 yards, 3:00. SDG – Antonio Gates 35-yard pass from Drew Brees (Nate Kaeding kick), 9:10. Chargers 28–13. Drive: 5 plays, 53 yards, 2:50. KAN – Eddie Kennison 7-yard pass from Trent Green (Lawrence Tynes kick), 2:12. Chargers 28–20. Drive: 7 plays, 64 yards, 1:37. Top passers KAN – Trent Green – 31/43, 347 yards, 2 TD SDG – Drew Brees – 25/43, 324 yards, 3 TD, INT Top rushers KAN – Larry Johnson – 6 rushes, 55 yards SDG – LaDainian Tomlinson – 17 rushes, 69 yards Top receivers KAN – Eddie Kennison – 7 receptions, 115 yards, TD SDG – Antonio Gates – 10 receptions, 145 yards, 3 TD

Week 9: at New York Jets

Week 9: San Diego Chargers at New York Jets – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Chargers	14	7	7	3	31
Jets	0	10	3	13	26

at Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey

• Date: November 6
• Game time: 1:02 p.m. EST
• Game weather: 63 °F (17 °C), relative humidity 78%, wind 12 mph
• Game attendance: 77,662
• Referee: Walt Coleman
• TV announcers (CBS): Dick Enberg, Dan Dierdorf and Armen Keteyian
• Box score

Game information

First quarter SDG – LaDainian Tomlinson 4-yard run (Nate Kaeding kick), 7:44. Chargers 7–0. Drive: 7 plays, 59 yards, 3:50. SDG – LaDainian Tomlinson 25-yard pass from Drew Brees (Nate Kaeding kick), 2:21. Chargers 14–0. Drive: 8 plays, 80 yards, 3:39. Second quarter NYJ – Curtis Martin 1-yard run (Mike Nugent kick), 14:57. Chargers 14–7. Drive: 5 plays, 62 yards, 2:24. SDG – LaDainian Tomlinson 1-yard run (Nate Kaeding kick), 7:54. Chargers 21–7. Drive: 10 plays, 75 yards, 7:03. NYJ – Mike Nugent 35-yard field goal, 3:37. Chargers 21–10. Drive: 8 plays, 43 yards, 4:17. Third quarter NYJ – Mike Nugent 22-yard field goal, 11:10. Chargers 21–13. Drive: 4 plays, 43 yards, 2:16. SDG – LaDainian Tomlinson 1-yard run (Nate Kaeding kick), 3:51. Chargers 28–13. Drive: 9 plays, 55 yards, 4:34. Fourth quarter NYJ – Jerald Sowell 5-yard pass from Brooks Bollinger (Mike Nugent kick), 12:27. Chargers 28–20. Drive: 13 plays, 75 yards, 6:24. SDG – Nate Kaeding 18-yard field goal, 8:35. Chargers 31–20. Drive: 7 plays, 49 yards, 3:52. NYJ – Laveranues Coles 8-yard pass from Brooks Bollinger (pass failed), 6:14. Chargers 31–26. Drive: 7 plays, 48 yards, 2:21. Top passers SDG – Drew Brees – 20/27, 270 yards, TD, INT NYJ – Brooks Bollinger – 11/20, 106 yards, 2 TD Top rushers SDG – LaDainian Tomlinson – 25 rushes, 107 yards, 3 TD NYJ – Curtis Martin – 21 rushes, 72 yards, TD Top receivers SDG – Antonio Gates – 8 receptions, 132 yards NYJ – Laveranues Coles – 6 receptions, 64 yards, TD

Week 11: vs. Buffalo Bills

Week 11: Buffalo Bills at San Diego Chargers – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Bills	3	7	0	0	10
Chargers	14	21	3	10	48

at Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego, California

• Date: November 20
• Game time: 1:15 p.m. PST
• Game weather: 78 °F (26 °C), relative humidity 33%, wind 10 mph
• Game attendance: 65,602
• Referee: Bill Leavy
• TV announcers (CBS): Gus Johnson, Steve Tasker and Scott Kaplan
• Box score

Game information

First quarter SDG – LaDainian Tomlinson 1-yard run (Nate Kaeding kick), 9:31. Chargers 7–0. Drive: 9 plays, 75 yards, 5:29. BUF – Rian Lindell 53-yard field goal, 6:40. Chargers 7–3. Drive: 6 plays, 12 yards, 2:51. SDG – Antonio Gates 27-yard pass from Drew Brees (Nate Kaeding kick), 0:32. Chargers 14–3. Drive: 10 plays, 72 yards, 6:08. Second quarter SDG – Eric Parker 23-yard pass from Drew Brees (Nate Kaeding kick), 7:22. Chargers 21–3. Drive: 8 plays, 70 yards, 3:54. SDG – Lorenzo Neal 2-yard pass from Drew Brees (Nate Kaeding kick), 3:12. Chargers 28–3. Drive: 6 plays, 22 yards, 3:56. BUF – Daimon Shelton 3-yard pass from J. P. Losman (Rian Lindell kick), 1:23. Chargers 28–10. Drive: 8 plays, 55 yards, 1:49. SDG – Keenan McCardell 29-yard pass from Drew Brees (Nate Kaeding kick), 0:37. Chargers 35–10. Drive: 6 plays, 83 yards, 0:46. Third quarter SDG – Nate Kaeding 28-yard field goal, 4:01. Chargers 38–10. Drive: 11 plays, 75 yards, 6:31. Fourth quarter SDG – Nate Kaeding 38-yard field goal, 14:14. Chargers 41–10. Drive: 5 plays, 21 yards, 2:02. SDG – Michael Turner 8-yard run (Nate Kaeding kick), 4:06. Chargers 48–10. Drive: 10 plays, 64 yards, 7:03. Top passers BUF – J. P. Losman – 20/36, 168 yards, TD, INT SDG – Drew Brees – 28/33, 339 yards, 4 TD Top rushers BUF – Willis McGahee – 4 rushes, 69 yards SDG – LaDainian Tomlinson – 19 rushes, 67 yards, TD Top receivers BUF – Lee Evans – 7 receptions, 115 yards, TD SDG – Keenan McCardell – 6 receptions, 88 yards, TD

Week 12: at Washington Redskins

Week 12: San Diego Chargers at Washington Redskins – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	OT	Total
Chargers	0	7	0	10	6	23
Redskins	3	7	7	0	0	17

at FedExField, Summerfield, Maryland

• Date: November 27
• Game time: 1:02 p.m. EST
• Game weather: 52 °F (11 °C), relative humidity 61%, no wind
• Game attendance: 84,930
• Referee: Walt Anderson
• TV announcers (CBS): Kevin Harlan and Randy Cross
• Box score

Game information

First quarter WAS – John Hall 38-yard field goal, 5:22. Redskins 3–0. Drive: 6 plays, 23 yards, 2:31. Second quarter SDG – LaDainian Tomlinson 1-yard run (Nate Kaeding kick), 10:31. Chargers 7–3. Drive: 8 plays, 57 yards, 3:47. WAS – Santana Moss 22-yard pass from Mark Brunell (John Hall kick), 7:23. Redskins 10–7. Drive: 7 plays, 69 yards, 3:08. Third quarter WAS – Rock Cartwright 13-yard run (John Hall kick), 3:14. Redskins 17–7. Drive: 9 plays, 79 yards, 4:58. Fourth quarter SDG – Nate Kaeding 48-yard field goal, 14:08. Redskins 17–10. Drive: 11 plays, 47 yards, 4:06. SDG – LaDainian Tomlinson 32-yard run (Nate Kaeding kick), 3:29. Tied 17–17. Drive: 3 plays, 67 yards, 1:07. Overtime SDG – LaDainian Tomlinson 41-yard run, 14:26. Chargers 23–17. Drive: 2 plays, 65 yards, 0:34. Top passers SDG – Drew Brees – 22/44, 215 yards, 3 INT WAS – Mark Brunell – 17/27, 194 yards, TD Top rushers SDG – LaDainian Tomlinson – 25 rushes, 184 yards, 3 TD WAS – Clinton Portis – 29 rushes, 87 yards Top receivers SDG – Eric Parker – 7 receptions, 98 yards WAS – Santana Moss – 6 receptions, 65 yards, TD

Week 13: vs. Oakland Raiders

Week 13: Oakland Raiders at San Diego Chargers – Game summary

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

at Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego, California

• Date: December 4
• Game time: 5:35 p.m. PST
• Game weather: 56 °F (13 °C), relative humidity 53%, wind 8 mph
• Game attendance: 66,436
• Referee: Bill Vinovich
• TV announcers (CBS): Mike Patrick, Joe Theismann, Paul Maguire and Suzy Kolber
• Box score

Game information

First quarter OAK – Sebastian Janikowski 37-yard field goal, 11:33. Raiders 3–0. Drive: 9 plays, 48 yards, 3:27. SDG – Nate Kaeding 41-yard field goal, 8:49. Tied 3–3. Drive: 9 plays, 37 yards, 2:44. Second quarter SDG – Antonio Gates 6-yard pass from Drew Brees (Nate Kaeding kick), 11:14. Chargers 10–3. Drive: 7 plays, 34 yards, 4:15. OAK – Courtney Anderson 16-yard pass from Kerry Collins (Sebastian Janikowski kick), 6:59. Tied 10–10. Drive: 8 plays, 67 yards, 4:15. SDG – Michael Turner 2-yard run (Nate Kaeding kick), 0:18. Chargers 17–10. Drive: 13 plays, 72 yards, 6:41. Third quarter SDG – Eric Parker 1-yard pass from Drew Brees (Nate Kaeding kick), 4:55. Chargers 24–10. Drive: 13 plays, 57 yards, 7:32. Fourth quarter SDG – Nate Kaeding 32-yard field goal, 13:33. Chargers 27–10. Drive: 10 plays, 51 yards, 5:53. SDG – Clinton Hart 70-yard interception return (Nate Kaeding kick), 6:29. Chargers 34–10. Top passers OAK – Kerry Collins – 22/40, 236 yards, TD, INT SDG – Drew Brees – 17/22, 160 yards, 2 TD Top rushers OAK – LaMont Jordan – 15 rushes, 55 yards SDG – LaDainian Tomlinson – 25 rushes, 86 yards Top receivers OAK – Randy Moss – 7 receptions, 74 yards SDG – Keenan McCardell – 4 receptions, 60 yards

Week 14: vs. Miami Dolphins

Week 14: Miami Dolphins at San Diego Chargers – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Dolphins	0	3	17	3	23
Chargers	7	0	0	14	21

at Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego, California

• Date: December 11
• Game time: 1:15 p.m. PST
• Game weather: 69 °F (21 °C), relative humidity 23%, wind 8 mph
• Game attendance: 65,026
• Referee: Tony Corrente
• TV announcers (CBS): Gus Johnson, Steve Tasker and Scott Kaplan
• Box score

Game information

First quarter SDG – Keenan McCardell 8-yard pass from Drew Brees (Nate Kaeding kick), 2:40. Chargers 7–0. Drive: 15 plays, 62 yards, 7:44. Second quarter MIA – Olindo Mare 29-yard field goal, 3:39. Chargers 7–3. Drive: 9 plays, 57 yards, 3:59. Third quarter MIA – Olindo Mare 39-yard field goal, 11:43. Chargers 7–6. Drive: 8 plays, 53 yards, 3:17. MIA – Chris Chambers 8-yard pass from Gus Frerotte (Olindo Mare kick), 10:35. Dolphins 13–7. Drive: 3 plays, 24 yards, 1:01. MIA – Chris Chambers 35-yard pass from Gus Frerotte (Olindo Mare kick), 3:26. Dolphins 20–7. Drive: 6 plays, 87 yards, 2:51. Fourth quarter SDG – Drew Brees 4-yard run (Nate Kaeding kick), 10:34. Dolphins 20–14. Drive: 13 plays, 73 yards, 7:52. MIA – Olindo Mare 20-yard field goal, 1:11. Dolphins 23–14. Drive: 7 plays, 21 yards, 1:20. SDG – Antonio Gates 8-yard pass from Drew Brees (Nate Kaeding kick), 0:15. Dolphins 23–21. Drive: 8 plays, 56 yards, 0:56. Top passers MIA – Gus Frerotte – 14/22, 229 yards, 2 TD SDG – Drew Brees – 35/52, 279 yards, 2 TD, INT Top rushers MIA – Ronnie Brown – 11 rushes, 30 yards SDG – LaDainian Tomlinson – 21 rushes, 75 yards Top receivers MIA – Chris Chambers – 8 receptions, 121 yards, 2 TD SDG – Antonio Gates – 13 receptions, 123 yards, TD

Week 15: at Indianapolis Colts

Week 12: San Diego Chargers at Indianapolis Colts – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Chargers	10	3	3	10	26
Colts	0	0	17	0	17

at RCA Dome, Indianapolis, Indiana

• Date: December 18
• Game time: 1:02 p.m. EST
• Game weather: N/A (game played indoors)
• Game attendance: 57,389
• Referee: Terry McAulay
• TV announcers (CBS): Dick Enberg, Dan Dierdorf and Armen Keteyian
• Box score

Game information

First quarter SDG – Keenan McCardell 29-yard pass from Drew Brees (Nate Kaeding kick), 9:13. Chargers 7–0. Drive: 5 plays, 42 yards, 1:50. SDG – Nate Kaeding 36-yard field goal, 1:56. Chargers 10–0. Drive: 8 plays, 64 yards, 4:20. Second quarter SDG – Nate Kaeding 20-yard field goal, 0:15. Chargers 13–0. Drive: 18 plays, 91 yards, 8:18. Third quarter SDG – Nate Kaeding 48-yard field goal, 9:30. Chargers 16–0. Drive: 10 plays, 40 yards, 4:19. IND – Mike Vanderjagt 32-yard field goal, 6:41. Chargers 16–3. Drive: 9 plays, 56 yards, 2:49. IND – Edgerrin James 1-yard run (Mike Vanderjagt kick), 3:42. Chargers 16–10. Drive: 2 plays, 26 yards, 0:52. IND – Dallas Clark 1-yard pass from Peyton Manning (Mike Vanderjagt kick), 0:40. Colts 17–16. Drive: 3 plays, 4 yards, 0:47. Fourth quarter SDG – Nate Kaeding 49-yard field goal, 6:41. Chargers 19–17. Drive: 7 plays, 61 yards, 3:28. SDG – Michael Turner 83-yard run (Nate Kaeding kick), 2:09. Chargers 26–17. Drive: 2 plays, 80 yards, 0:19. Top passers SDG – Drew Brees – 22/33, 255 yards, TD, 2 INT IND – Peyton Manning – 26/45, 336 yards, TD, 2 INT Top rushers SDG – Michael Turner – 8 rushes, 113 yards, TD IND – Edgerrin James – 13 rushes, 25 yards, TD Top receivers SDG – Keenan McCardell – 3 receptions, 88 yards, TD IND – Marvin Harrison – 8 receptions, 135 yards

Week 16: at Kansas City Chiefs

Week 16: San Diego Chargers at Kansas City Chiefs – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Chargers	7	0	0	0	7
Chiefs	7	13	0	0	20

at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri

• Date: December 24
• Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST
• Game weather: 42 °F (6 °C), relative humidity 89%, wind 10 mph
• Game attendance: 75,956
• Referee: Mike Carey
• TV announcers (CBS): Kevin Harlan and Randy Cross
• Box score

Game information

First quarter KAN – Larry Johnson 4-yard run (Lawrence Tynes kick), 9:28. Chiefs 7–0. Drive: 6 plays, 43 yards, 2:58. SDG – Antonio Gates 18-yard pass from Drew Brees (Nate Kaeding kick), 4:06. Tied 7–7. Drive: 10 plays, 75 yards, 5:22. Second quarter KAN – Samie Parker 42-yard pass from Trent Green (Lawrence Tynes kick), 14:53. Chiefs 14–7. Drive: 8 plays, 67 yards, 4:13. KAN – Larry Johnson 28-yard pass from Trent Green (kick failed), 1:45. Chiefs 20–7. Drive: 6 plays, 57 yards, 2:37. Third quarter No scoring plays. Fourth quarter No scoring plays. Top passers SDG – Drew Brees – 18/33, 161 yards, TD, INT KAN – Trent Green – 19/35, 207 yards, 2 TD Top rushers SDG – LaDainian Tomlinson – 14 rushes, 47 yards KAN – Larry Johnson – 32 rushes, 131 yards, TD Top receivers SDG – Keenan McCardell – 6 receptions, 58 yards KAN – Tony Gonzalez – 5 receptions, 58 yards KAN – Samie Parker – 4 receptions, 58 yards, TD

Week 17: vs. Denver Broncos

Week 17: Denver Broncos at San Diego Chargers – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Broncos	0	14	2	7	23
Chargers	0	7	0	0	7

at Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego, California

• Date: December 31
• Game time: 1:35 p.m. PST
• Game weather: 61 °F (16 °C), relative humidity 63%, wind 8 mph
• Game attendance: 65,513
• Referee: Scott Green
• TV announcers (CBS): Jim Nantz, Phil Simms and Bonnie Bernstein
• Box score

Game information

First quarter No scoring plays. Second quarter DEN – Tatum Bell 6-yard run (Jason Elam kick), 11:48. Broncos 7–0. Drive: 12 plays, 57 yards, 5:16. DEN – Tatum Bell 1-yard run (Jason Elam kick), 3:24. Broncos 14–0. Drive: 12 plays, 57 yards, 5:16. SDG – LaDainian Tomlinson 6-yard run (Nate Kaeding kick), 0:38. Broncos 14–7. Drive: 11 plays, 80 yards, 5:45. Third quarter DEN – Safety, Demetrin Veal tackled Shane Olivea in end zone, 5:30. Broncos 16–7. Fourth quarter DEN – Tatum Bell 19-yard run (Jason Elam kick), 4:32. Broncos 23–7. Drive: 12 plays, 57 yards, 5:16. Top passers DEN – Jake Plummer – 8/14, 91 yards SDG – Philip Rivers – 12/22, 115 yards, INT Top rushers DEN – Ron Dayne – 13 rushes, 64 yards SDG – LaDainian Tomlinson – 19 rushes, 92 yards, TD Top receivers DEN – Kyle Johnson – 2 receptions, 27 yards SDG – Eric Parker – 8 receptions, 87 yards

Standings

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

Awards

Six Chargers were named to the 2006 Pro Bowl,^[2] and four were named first or second team Associated Press (AP) All-Pros.^[3] Merriman won the AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year with 28+1⁄2 of the 50 available votes.^[4]

Player	Position	Pro Bowl starter	Pro Bowl reserve	AP 1st team All-Pro	AP 2nd team All-Pro
Antonio Gates	Tight end
Shawne Merriman	Linebacker
Hanik Milligan	Special teams
Lorenzo Neal	Fullback
LaDainian Tomlinson	Running back
Jamal Williams	Defensive tackle