However, the Chargers dominated the Dolphins in the second half, limiting their offense to just 16 plays.

Remarkably, the Chargers averaged more than 400 yards of offense per game during their 1980 season.

The San Diego Chargers teams that played football here in the 1970s and 1980s featured a high-scoring offense led by quarterback Dan Fouts and featuring running back Chuck Muncie, tight end Kellen Winslow, receiver Charlie Joiner and place-kicker Rolf Benirschke ; however, the first Chargers team to advance to the Super Bowl ( in 1994, Super Bowl XXIX ) featured a strong defense anchored by linebacker Junior Seau and an unspectacular but efficient offense led by quarterback Stan Humphries and running back Natrone Means.

In 1992, Friedgen followed Ross once again, this time to the NFL's San Diego Chargers, where he orchestrated an offense that led the franchise to an appearance in Super Bowl XXIX.

The Chargers ' high powered offense scored on their first possession of the game and of the second half but turnovers prevented further scoring.

Perry recorded two more interceptions as the Oilers defense shut down the Chargers offense for the rest of the game.

Tied 20-20, the Chargers offense marched the ball down the field to the Chiefs ' 15 yard line.

In the 2001 NFL Draft, the Falcons orchestrated a trade with the San Diego Chargers, acquiring the first overall pick ( which was used on quarterback Michael Vick ) in exchange for wide receiver / return specialist Tim Dwight and the fifth overall pick ( used on running back LaDainian Tomlinson ).

Rivera was previously the defensive coordinator for the Chicago Bears and the San Diego Chargers and was a linebacker on the 1985 Bears team that won Super Bowl XX.

Under the new ownership, the Colts did not reach the postseason for three consecutive seasons after 1971, and after the 1972 season, starting quarterback and legend Johnny Unitas, was traded to the San Diego Chargers.

When the AFL-NFL Merger was completed for the 1970 season, the very first opponent for the Colts in their new environment of the American Football Conference was the San Diego Chargers at San Diego.

Three years later Unitas would end his NFL career by starting four games for the 1973 Chargers ; his last win was a 34-7 win over the Bills.

Manning's Colts defeated the Chargers in 1998 and 1999, but in 2004 with Leaf long gone from the game the revamped Chargers behind Drew Brees erupted into playoff contention ; on December 26 with both teams at 11-3 the Colts hosted the Chargers with Manning close to matching Dan Marino's touchdown record ; the Chargers stormed to a 31-16 lead, but Dominic Rhodes ' kickoff return put the Colts within eight points, then with one minute remaining Manning rifled a 21-yard touchdown to Brandon Stokley, breaking Marino's record ; the two-point try succeeded, then after Brees was intercepted the game went to overtime and the Colts won 34-31 on a field goal.

The following January 13 in the AFC Divisional Playoffs the Chargers intercepted Manning twice and clawed to a 28-24 lead despite injury to quarterback Philip Rivers ; Manning was stopped on downs twice in the fourth quarter and the Chargers ended the Colts ' reign as defending champions.

QB Bob Greise was victim to a broken leg and dislocated ankle in Week 5 versus the San Diego Chargers and was replaced by veteran Earl Morrall for the rest of the regular season, but returned to the field as a substitute during the AFC Championship game versus the Pittsburgh Steelers and then started in Super Bowl VII.

The Chargers ' original owner was hotel heir Barron Hilton, son of Hilton Hotels founder Conrad Hilton.

The Chargers acquired veteran players like Deacon Jones and Johnny Unitas, however it was at the later stages of their careers and the team struggled, placing third or fourth in the AFC West each year from 1970 to.

1978 was marked by the " Holy Roller " game, or as Chargers fans call it, the " Immaculate Deception ".

It was a game-winning play executed by the Oakland Raiders against the Chargers on September 10, in San Diego at Jack Murphy Stadium.

Dean's loss was particularly damaging to the Chargers ' Super Bowl chances as the defense weakened afterwards, surrendering the most passing yards in the NFL in both 1981 and 1982.

Chargers owner Eugene Klein tried to get the NFL and Bengals to postpone the game but he was turned down.

Al Saunders was named the seventh head coach in Chargers history in 1986 following the resignation of Coryell.

In Dan Henning, a former Chargers quarterback, Washington Redskins assistant, and Atlanta Falcons head coach, was named the eighth head coach in Chargers history.

Henning's tenure with the Chargers lasted three seasons as Bobby Ross was hired as head coach in and the Chargers acquired quarterback Stan Humphries in a trade with Redskins.

The Chargers ' defense led the NFL in sacks ( 60 ) spearheaded by the frontline of 1975 Chargers ' draftees Dean, Gary " Big Hands " Johnson and Louie Kelcher.

The Chargers were led by quarterback Dan Fouts who made the Pro Bowl for the third year in a row, setting an NFL single season record at that point and time of 4, 802 yards and 33 touchdowns.

Despite those two close triumphs ( 22 – 21 against the Dolphins in the Divisional Round, and 17 – 13 against the Steelers in the AFC Championship Game ), the Chargers lost Super Bowl XXIX to the San Francisco 49ers by a score of 49 – 26, who were led by quarterback Steve Young ( Super Bowl MVP ) and wide receiver Jerry Rice.

Backup QB Gale Gilbert, subbing for injured starter Humphries, led the Chargers to a come from behind 37-34 win, with John Carney kicking a game winning field goal in the game's final seconds.

The Chargers had an excellent defensive line, anchored by Pro Bowl lineman Leslie O ' Neal, who led the team with 12. 5 sacks and forced four fumbles, Defensive tackle Chris Mims, who recorded 11 sacks, and Shawn Lee, who added 6. 5 sacks and a fumble recovery.

Cowher then led the Steelers into the playoffs in 1993 and 1994 but were also eliminated, including a 17 – 13 upset loss to the San Diego Chargers in the AFC Championship Game.

A standout at Wagner College, Danny led the Carbondale Area High School Chargers to 108-5 record in 4 years and a Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association Class AA Championship in 1993.

The Chargers led 7-0 and were marching toward another score when Stratton tackled the Chargers ' Hall of Famer Keith Lincoln, putting him out of the game.

He returned his first touch of the football in the AFL for a 105-yard touchdown in the Chargers ' first-ever exhibition game and led the team in rushing with 855 yards on 136 carries ( 6. 3 yard average ) and also had 23 receptions for 377 yards.

Trailing the visiting San Diego Chargers 26 – 16 in the fourth quarter, Brady led the Patriots on two scoring drives to force overtime, and another in overtime to set up a winning field goal.

In Week 17 against the San Diego Chargers, Warner started again in place of the injured Leinart, throwing for 365 yards ( which led the NFL for that week ) and a touchdown, though the Chargers were able to hang on for a 27 – 20 win.

After the Chargers rallied from a 10 point deficit in the 4th to tie the game, Manning led the game-winning drive by completing a 14 yard pass to Marvin Harrison on 4th and inches at midfield.

Pennington then led Jets to a first-round, 20-17 overtime win against the AFC West Champion San Diego Chargers, as he went 23-33, for 279 yards and two touchdowns.

Anderson led Cincinnati to a 27-7 blow out win in the AFC championship game ( which later became known as the Freezer Bowl ) over the veteran San Diego Chargers, earning a trip to the first Super Bowl appearance in franchise history.

He was named San Diego's defensive captain and led all Chargers ' defensive linemen in tackles and won a berth on the AFC Pro Bowl squad.

The 2001 Chargers ended their season with a loss to the Seattle Seahawks, after Doug Flutie passed for 377 yards and drove for the tying field goal with 16 seconds remaining, but poor special teams play led to a long Seahawks kick return and subsequently a 54-yard winning field goal.

While at Briar Cliff, Butler, Frazer and other members of head coach Ray Nacke's " Panama Pipeline ", led the Chargers a # 1 Ranking in 1981 and trips to the NAIA National Tournament.