1979 San Diego Chargers season

1979 San Diego Chargers season
Owner	Gene Klein (Since 1966)
General manager	Johnny Sanders (Since 1976)
Head coach	Don Coryell (2nd season)
Home field	San Diego Stadium
Results
Record	12–4
Division place	1st AFC West
Playoff finish	Lost Divisional Playoffs (Oilers) (14–17)
Pro Bowlers	7 QB Dan Fouts WR John Jefferson WR Charlie Joiner G Ed White T Russ Washington DE Fred Dean DT Gary Johnson
AP All-Pros	8 QB Dan Fouts WR John Jefferson G Ed White G Doug Wilkerson T Russ Washington DE Fred Dean DT Gary Johnson DT Wilbur Young

The 1979 San Diego Chargers season was the team's 20th season, and 10th in the National Football League. Their 12–4 record was tied for the best in the league in 1979.

The 1979 Chargers finished in first place in the AFC West after having finished 9–7 in 1978. The Chargers made the playoffs for the first time in 14 years. Chargers quarterback Dan Fouts threw for more than 4,000 yards, and wide receivers Charlie Joiner and John Jefferson both gained more than 1,000 yards receiving. The Chargers became the first AFC West champion to run more passing plays (541) then rushing (481).

The season ended with a playoff loss to the Houston Oilers.

As part of a marketing campaign, the Chargers created their fight song, "San Diego Super Chargers".

The 2006 edition of Pro Football Prospectus, listed the 1979 Chargers as one of their "Heartbreak Seasons," in which teams "dominated the entire regular season only to falter in the playoffs, unable to close the deal." Said Pro Football Prospectus of the team, "the creative [head coach] Don Coryell always designed potent offenses, but the San Diego defense didn't catch up until 1979. ... In their first playoff game, the Chargers hosted a Houston Oilers team missing running back Earl Campbell and quarterback Dan Pastorini – and fell on their faces. Fouts threw five interceptions and no touchdowns, and the Chargers blew a third quarter lead and lost 17–14. The Chargers would not have the best record in the NFL again until the 2006 season. They would not have another top ten defense in points allowed until 1989. They would not win 12 games in a season until 2004. Their best shot at glory went horribly awry, thanks to the worst game in the illustrious career of Dan Fouts."

1979 NFL Draft

Main article: 1979 NFL Draft

1979 San Diego Chargers draft
Round	Pick	Player	Position	College	Notes
1	13	Kellen Winslow * †	Tight end	Missouri	from Cleveland
3	73	Cliff Thrift	Linebacker	East Central	from Cleveland
Made roster    †   Pro Football Hall of Fame    *   Made at least one Pro Bowl during career

Regular season

On opening day in The Kingdome on September 2, the Chargers beat the Seattle Seahawks 33–14. Clarence Williams rushed for 2 touchdowns. Rolf Benirschke kicked 4 field goals, and Dan Fouts passed for 224 yards.

In week 2, Fouts had 3 touchdowns and linebacker Woodrow Lowe returned a Ken Stabler pass 32 yards for a score as San Diego beats the Oakland Raiders 30–10.

The next week, San Diego got a come-from-behind win over the Buffalo Bills as Clarence Williams picked up 157 yards on 18 carries and had a team-record 4 rushing TDs.

In week 4, Chargers lost to the New England Patriots 27–21. Patriot linebacker Steve Nelson preserved the victory with an interception of a Dan Fouts pass on the New England 2-yard line with 1:37 remaining in the game.

Schedule

Week	Date	Opponent	Result	Attendance
1	September 2, 1979	at Seattle Seahawks	W 33–16	62,887
2	September 9, 1979	Oakland Raiders	W 30–10	50,255
3	September 16, 1979	Buffalo Bills	W 27–19	50,709
4	September 23, 1979	at New England Patriots	L 27–21	60,916
5	September 30, 1979	San Francisco 49ers	W 31–9	50,893
6	October 7, 1979	at Denver Broncos	L 7–0	74,997
7	October 14, 1979	Seattle Seahawks	W 20–10	50,077
8	October 21, 1979	at Los Angeles Rams	W 40–16	64,245
9	October 25, 1979	at Oakland Raiders	L 45-22	53,709
10	November 4, 1979	at Kansas City Chiefs	W 20–14	59,353
11	November 11, 1979	at Cincinnati Bengals	W 26–24	40,782
12	November 18, 1979	Pittsburgh Steelers	W 35–7	51,910
13	November 25, 1979	Kansas City Chiefs	W 28–7	50,078
14	December 2, 1979	Atlanta Falcons	L 28–26	50,198
15	December 9, 1979	at New Orleans Saints	W 35–0	61,059
16	December 17, 1979	Denver Broncos	W 17–7	51,906

Playoffs

Week	Date	Opponent	Result	Attendance
Divisional	December 29, 1979	Houston Oilers	L 17–14	51,192

Standings

AFC West
	W	L	T	PCT	DIV	CONF	PF	PA	STK
San Diego Chargers(1)	12	4	0	.750	6–2	9–3	411	246	W2
Denver Broncos(5)	10	6	0	.625	4–4	7–5	289	262	L2
Seattle Seahawks	9	7	0	.563	3–5	6–6	378	372	W2
Oakland Raiders	9	7	0	.563	3–5	5–7	365	337	L1
Kansas City Chiefs	7	9	0	.438	4–4	7–7	238	262	L1

Roster

1979 San Diego Chargers Team Starters
Rookies in italics

Offense

14   Dan Fouts          QB
22   Mike Thomas        RB
40   Clarence Williams  FB
83   John Jefferson     WR
18   Charlie Joiner     WR
84   Bob Klein          TE

66   Billy Shields      LT
63   Doug Wilkerson     LG
56   Bob Rush           C
67   Ed White           RG
70   Russ Washington    RT

Defense

68   Leroy Jones       LDE
99   Wilbur Young      LDT
79   Gary Johnson      RDT
71   Fred Dean         RDE

52   Ray Preston       LB
55   Bob Horn          LB
51   Woodrow Lowe      LB

28   Willie Buchanon   LCB
29   Mike Williams     RCB
42   Mike Fuller       SS/PR
27   Glen Edwards      FS

Kicking Team

16  Mike Wood         K
8   Jeff West         P
85  Artie Owens       KR

Awards and honors

• Sporting News Executive of the Year: John Sanders
• UPI Player of the Year: Dan Fouts

External links

• 1979 San Diego Chargers at pro-football-reference.com