The 2013 San Diego Chargers season was the franchise's 44th season in the National Football League (NFL), the 54th overall, and the 1st under head coach Mike McCoy . The Chargers finished the regular season with a record of 9–7, improving on their 7–9 record from 2012 . Also, they qualified for the playoffs for the first time since 2009 . The Chargers defeated the Cincinnati Bengals in the Wild Card round by a score of 27–10, but lost to the Denver Broncos in the Divisional round by a score of 24–17.
The new head coach, Mike McCoy, along with offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt , completed the Chargers' first winning season since 2010 . Only two offensive coaches returned from 2012 in an overhauled coaching staff, and a revamped offensive system had quarterback Philip Rivers release the ball earlier and taking what opposing defenses conceded. Rivers was sacked 30 times, compared to 49 the previous year, and threw for 4,479 yards and 32 touchdowns while tying a career high with a 105.5 passer rating . San Diego's rushing attack improved from the prior season's 1,461 yards and 3.6 yards per carry—tied for the second worst in the league—to 1,965 yards and a 4-yard average.[ 2] Although they were speculated to have a poor, disappointing season, and getting off to a shaky start, the Chargers finished in the top eight of the overall standings. Rivers was named NFL Comeback Player of the Year , and Keenan Allen broke out into the national scene as a rookie sensation, breaking multiple wide receiver rookie records. Whisenhunt left at the conclusion of the season to become the head coach of the Titans .
2013 draft class
Staff
2013 San Diego Chargers staff
Front office
Head coaches
Offensive coaches
Defensive coaches
Special teams coaches
Strength and conditioning
Final roster
Schedule
Preseason
Regular season
Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.
Postseason
Game summaries
Regular season
Week 1: vs. Houston Texans
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
Top tacklers
With the loss, the Chargers started their season 0-1.
Week 2: at Philadelphia Eagles
Game information
First quarter
SD – Nick Novak 49 yd. field goal, 7:26. Chargers 3-0. Drive: 8 plays, 59 yards, 4:25.
PHI – Alex Henery 25 yd. field goal, 5:30. Tied 3-3. Drive: 5 plays, 70 yards, 1:56.
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
SD – Nick Novak 33 yd. field goal, 10:47. Chargers 23-20. Drive: 17 plays, 73 yards, 8:55.
PHI – Michael Vick 2 yd. run (Alex Henery kick), 7:06. Eagles 27-23. Drive: 10 plays, 76 yards, 3:41.
SD – Eddie Royal 15 yd. pass from Philip Rivers (Nick Novak kick), 3:11. Chargers 30-27. Drive: 7 plays, 39 yards, 3:55.
PHI – Alex Henery 32 yd. field goal, 1:51. Tied 30-30. Drive: 9 plays, 57 yards, 1:20.
SD – Nick Novak 46 yd. field goal, 0:07. Chargers 33-30. Drive: 9 plays, 51 yards, 1:44.
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
Top tacklers
Week 3: at Tennessee Titans
Week Three: San Diego Chargers at Tennessee Titans – Game summary
Quarter
1
2
3 4 Total
Chargers
7
3
7 0 17
Titans
0
10
0 10 20
at LP Field , Nashville, Tennessee
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
TEN – Rob Bironas 20 yd. field goal, 13:00. Chargers 7-3. Drive: 11 plays, 90 yards, 4:50.
SD – Nick Novak 44 yd. field goal, 4:47. Chargers 10-3. Drive: 5 plays, 4 yards, 2:56.
TEN – Jake Locker 7 yd. run (Rob Bironas kick), 1:08. Tied 10-10. Drive: 8 plays, 76 yards, 3:39.
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
Top tacklers
Week 4: vs. Dallas Cowboys
Week Four: Dallas Cowboys at San Diego Chargers – Game summary
Quarter
1
2
3 4 Total
Cowboys
0
21
0 0 21
Chargers
7
6
7 10 30
at Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego, California
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
DAL – Dez Bryant 5 yd. pass from Tony Romo (Dan Bailey kick), 13:10. Tied 7-7. Drive: 9 plays, 85 yards, 3:58.
SD – Nick Novak 36 yd. field goal, 5:11. Chargers 10-7. Drive: 6 plays, 36 yards, 2:27.
DAL – Dez Bryant 34 yd. pass from Tony Romo (Dan Bailey kick), 2:36. Cowboys 14-10. Drive: 5 plays, 72 yards, 2:35.
DAL – Sean Lee 52 yd. interception return (Dan Bailey kick), 1:19. Cowboys 21-10.
SD – Nick Novak 42 yd. field goal, 0:00. Cowboys 21-13. Drive: 8 plays, 66 yards, 1:19.
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
Top tacklers
Week 5: at Oakland Raiders
Week Five: San Diego Chargers at Oakland Raiders – Game summary
Quarter
1
2
3 4 Total
Chargers
0
0
3 14 17
Raiders
14
3
7 3 27
at O.co Coliseum , Oakland, California
Date : October 6Game time : 8:35 p.m. PDTGame weather : 70 °F (21 °C), partly cloudyGame attendance : 48,834Referee : Jeff Triplette TV announcers (NFLN ) : Ian Eagle and Dan FoutsRecap , Game book
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
Top tacklers
Week 6: vs. Indianapolis Colts
Week Six: Indianapolis Colts at San Diego Chargers – Game summary
Quarter
1
2
3 4 Total
Colts
3
3
0 3 9
Chargers
0
10
3 6 19
at Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego, California
Game information
First quarter
IND – Adam Vinatieri 30 yd. field goal, 11:27. Colts 3-0. Drive: 8 plays, 69 yards, 3:33.
Second quarter
SD – Keenan Allen 22 yd. pass from Philip Rivers (Nick Novak kick), 12:02. Chargers 7-3. Drive: 12 plays, 74 yards, 6:14.
SD – Nick Novak 31 yd. field goal, 1:41. Chargers 10-3. Drive: 17 plays, 79 yards, 7:58.
IND – Adam Vinatieri 50 yd. field goal, 0:00. Chargers 10-6. Drive: 8 plays, 38 yards, 1:41.
Third quarter
SD – Nick Novak 33 yd. field goal, 9:05. Chargers 13-6. Drive: 11 plays, 65 yards, 5:55.
Fourth quarter
SD – Nick Novak 34 yd. field goal, 9:43. Chargers 16-6. Drive: 15 plays, 74 yards, 9:13.
IND – Adam Vinatieri 51 yd. field goal, 7:21. Chargers 16-9. Drive: 6 plays, 47 yards, 2:22.
SD – Nick Novak 50 yd. field goal, 1:55. Chargers 19-9. Drive: 5 plays, 19 yards, 1:22.
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
Top tacklers
Week 7: at Jacksonville Jaguars
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
SD – Nick Novak 20 yd. field goal, 6:52. Chargers 17-3. Drive: 10 plays, 79 yards, 6:21.
JAC – Josh Scobee 23 yd. field goal, 3:57. Chargers 17-6. Drive: 8 plays, 75 yards, 2:54.
Fourth quarter
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
Top tacklers
Week 9: at Washington Redskins
Week Nine: San Diego Chargers at Washington Redskins – Game summary
Quarter
1
2
3 4 OT Total
Chargers
0
14
0 10 0 24
Redskins
0
7
7 10 6 30
at FedEx Field , Landover, Maryland
Date : November 3Game time : 1:00 p.m. EST /10:00 a.m. PST Game weather : 57 °F (14 °C), sunnyGame attendance : 80,115Referee : Jerome Boger TV announcers (CBS) : Ian Eagle and Dan FoutsRecap , Game book
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
WAS – Darrel Young 1 yd. run (Kai Forbath kick), 14:17. Redskins 21-14. Drive: 11 plays, 79 yards, 7:45.
WAS – Kai Forbath 47 yd. field goal, 6:59. Redskins 24-14. Drive: 7 plays, 22 yards, 3:26.
SD – Keenan Allen 16 yd. pass from Philip Rivers (Nick Novak kick), 4:10. Redskins 24-21. Drive: 8 plays, 77 yards, 2:49.
SD – Nick Novak 19 yd. field goal, 0:03. Tied 24-24. Drive: 14 plays, 91 yards, 2:07.
Overtime
WAS – Darrel Young 4 yd. run, 8:59. Redskins 30-24. Drive: 10 plays, 78 yards, 6:01.
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
Top tacklers
Week 10: vs. Denver Broncos
Week Ten: Denver Broncos at San Diego Chargers – Game summary
Quarter
1
2
3 4 Total
Broncos
7
14
7 0 28
Chargers
0
6
7 7 20
at Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego, California
Date : November 10Game time : 1:25 p.m. PSTGame weather : 78 °F (26 °C), sunnyGame attendance : 68,847Referee : Tony CorrenteTV announcers (CBS) : Jim Nantz and Phil Simms Recap , Game book
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
SD – Nick Novak 26 yd. field goal, 14:58. Broncos 7-3. Drive: 14 plays, 72 yards, 9:20.
SD – Nick Novak 40 yd. field goal, 9:05. Broncos 7-6. Drive: 5 plays, 37 yards, 1:59.
DEN – Demaryius Thomas 11 yd. pass from Peyton Manning (Matt Prater kick), 6:38. Broncos 14-6. Drive: 7 plays, 80 yards, 2:27.
DEN – Demaryius Thomas 7 yd. pass from Peyton Manning (Matt Prater kick), 0:13. Broncos 21-6. Drive: 9 plays, 73 yards, 1:25.
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
Top tacklers
Week 11: at Miami Dolphins
Week Eleven: San Diego Chargers at Miami Dolphins – Game summary
Quarter
1
2
3 4 Total
Chargers
7
3
3 3 16
Dolphins
3
7
7 3 20
at Sun Life Stadium , Miami Gardens, Florida
Date : November 17Game time : 4:05 p.m. EST/1:05 p.m. PSTGame weather : 81 °F (27 °C), cloudyGame attendance : 60,256Referee : Pete MorelliTV announcers (CBS) : Greg Gumbel and Dan DierdorfRecap , Game book
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
MIA – Daniel Thomas 1 yd. run (Caleb Sturgis kick), 9:43. Dolphins 10-7. Drive: 9 plays, 80 yards, 5:35.
SD – Nick Novak 27 yd. field goal, 0:54. Tied 10-10. Drive: 8 plays, 50 yards, 2:45.
Third quarter
MIA – Charles Clay 39 yd. pass from Ryan Tannehill , 7:43. Dolphins 17-10. Drive: 5 plays, 80 yards, 2:36.
SD – Nick Novak 50 yd. field goal, 4:00. Dolphins 17-13. Drive: 8 plays, 48 yards, 3:43.
Fourth quarter
SD – Nick Novak 29 yd. field goal, 14:52. Dolphins 17-16. Drive: 5 plays, 56 yards, 1:30.
MIA – Caleb Sturgis 37 yd. field goal, 8:34. Dolphins 20-16. Drive: 8 plays, 41 yards, 3:17.
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
Top tacklers
Week 12: at Kansas City Chiefs
Week Twelve: San Diego Chargers at Kansas City Chiefs – Game summary
Quarter
1
2
3 4 Total
Chargers
3
7
14 17 41
Chiefs
7
7
14 10 38
at Arrowhead Stadium , Kansas City, Missouri
Date : November 24Game time : 12:00 p.m. CST /10:00 a.m. PSTGame weather : 24 °F (−4 °C), mostly sunnyGame attendance : 75,259Referee : Walt ColemanTV announcers (CBS) : Jim Nantz and Phil SimmsRecap , Game book
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
SD – Ryan Mathews 1 yd. run (Nick Novak kick), 12:17. Chargers 17-14. Drive: 6 plays, 72 yards, 2:43.
KC – Jamaal Charles 1 yd. run (Ryan Succop kick), 9:00. Chiefs 21-17. Drive: 7 plays, 85 yards, 3:17.
SD – Danny Woodhead 3 yd. run (Nick Novak kick), 5:27. Chargers 24-21. Drive: 2 plays, 16 yards, 0:42.
KC – Anthony Fasano 4 yd. pass from Alex Smith (Ryan Succop kick), 2:12. Chiefs 28-24. Drive: 7 plays, 64 yards, 3:15.
Fourth quarter
SD – Nick Novak 30 yd. field goal, 12:31. Chiefs 28-27. Drive: 10 plays, 59 yards, 4:41.
KC – Ryan Succop 25 yd. field goal, 9:32. Chiefs 31-27. Drive: 6 plays, 57 yards, 2:59.
SD – Ladarius Green 60 yd. pass from Philip Rivers (Nick Novak kick), 7:50. Chargers 34-31. Drive: 3 plays, 68 yards, 1:42.
KC – Dwayne Bowe 5 yd. pass from Alex Smith (Ryan Succop kick), 1:22. Chiefs 38-34 Drive: 6 plays, 55 yards, 2:29.
SD – Seyi Ajirotutu 26 yd. pass from Philip Rivers (Nick Novak kick), 0:24. Chargers 41-38. Drive: 7 plays, 78 yards, 0:58.
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
Top tacklers
Week 13: vs. Cincinnati Bengals
Week Thirteen: Cincinnati Bengals at San Diego Chargers – Game summary
Quarter
1
2
3 4 Total
Bengals
0
7
7 3 17
Chargers
0
7
0 3 10
at Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego, California
Date : December 1Game time : 1:25 p.m. PSTGame weather : 77 °F (25 °C), sunnyGame attendance : 61,536Referee : John Parry TV announcers (CBS) : Ian Eagle and Dan Fouts (blacked out locally)Recap , Game book
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
CIN – Mike Nugent 46 yd. field goal, 9:16. Bengals 17-7. Drive: 7 plays, 62 yards, 3:27.
SD – Nick Novak 48 yd. field goal, 4:43. Bengals 17-10. Drive: 8 plays, 27 yards, 2:07.
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
Top tacklers
Week 14: vs. New York Giants
Week Fourteen: New York Giants at San Diego Chargers – Game summary
Quarter
1
2
3 4 Total
Giants
0
0
7 7 14
Chargers
7
17
7 6 37
at Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego, California
Date : December 8Game time : 1:25 p.m. PSTGame weather : 53 °F (12 °C), sunnyGame attendance : 65,132Referee : Ron Winter TV announcers (Fox) : Kenny Albert, Daryl Johnston, and Tony SiragusaRecap , Game book
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
NYG – Brandon Myers 5 yd. pass from Eli Manning (Josh Brown kick), 14:54. Chargers 31-14. Drive: 11 plays, 86 yards, 5:12.
SD – Nick Novak 27 yd. field goal, 7:31. Chargers 34-14. Drive: 11 plays, 75 yards, 7:23.
SD – Nick Novak 43 yd. field goal, 3:24. Chargers 37-14. Drive: 7 plays, 18 yards, 2:27.
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
Top tacklers
Week 15: at Denver Broncos
Game information
First quarter
DEN – Andre Caldwell 15 yd. pass from Peyton Manning (Matt Prater kick), 11:51. Broncos 7-0. Drive: 7 plays, 69 yards, 3:09.
SD – Nick Novak 38 yd. field goal, 5:15. Broncos 7-3. Drive: 11 plays, 60 yards, 6:36.
DEN – Matt Prater 32 yd. field goal, 1:22. Broncos 10-3. Drive: 9 plays, 60 yards, 3:53.
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
DEN – Andre Caldwell 5 yd. pass from Peyton Manning (Matt Prater kick), 10:25. Chargers 24-17. Drive: 12 plays, 89 yards, 6:07.
SD – Nick Novak 35 yd. field goal, 2:36. Chargers 27-17. Drive: 6 plays, 16 yards, 2:31.
DEN – Matt Prater 42 yd. field goal, 0:29. Chargers 27-20. Drive: 11 plays, 56 yards, 2:07.
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
Top tacklers
Week 16: vs. Oakland Raiders
Week Sixteen: Oakland Raiders at San Diego Chargers – Game summary
Quarter
1
2
3 4 Total
Raiders
0
10
0 3 13
Chargers
3
7
10 6 26
at Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego, California
Game information
First quarter
SD – Nick Novak 27 yd. field goal, 2:42. Chargers 3-0. Drive: 16 plays, 82 yards, 9:16.
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
SD – Nick Novak 28 yd. field goal, 14:51. Chargers 23-10. Drive: 4 plays, 3 yards, 0:59.
OAK – Sebastian Janikowski 42 yd. field goal, 11:19. Chargers 23-13. Drive: 8 plays, 51 yards, 3:32.
SD – Nick Novak 33 yd. field goal, 6:23. Chargers 26-13. Drive: 9 plays, 59 yards, 4:56.
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
Top tacklers
Week 17: vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Week Seventeen: Kansas City Chiefs at San Diego Chargers – Game summary
Quarter
1
2
3 4 OT Total
Chiefs
14
7
3 0 0 24
Chargers
7
7
0 10 3 27
at Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego, California
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
KC – Ryan Succop 46 yd. field goal, 7:27. Chiefs 24-14. Drive: 6 plays, 7 yards, 2:17.
Fourth quarter
Overtime
SD – Nick Novak 36 yd. field goal, 5:30. Chargers 27-24. Drive: 16 plays, 62 yards, 9:30.
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
Top tacklers
Kansas City missed a field goal as with a few seconds left to send the game into overtime, where Nick Novak kicked the game winner. With the win, the Chargers finished the 2013 season with a record of 9–7 and clinched the second wild card spot, becoming the 6th seed entering the playoffs .
Postseason
AFC Wild Card Playoff Game: at #3 Cincinnati Bengals
AFC Wild Card Playoff Game: #6 San Diego Chargers at #3 Cincinnati Bengals – Game summary
Quarter
1
2
3 4 Total
Chargers
7
0
10 10 27
Bengals
0
10
0 0 10
at Paul Brown Stadium , Cincinnati, Ohio
Game information
1st quarter
2nd quarter
3rd quarter
4th quarter
SD - Nick Novak 23 yd. field goal, 14:16. Chargers 20–10. Drive: 5 plays, −2 yards, 1:55.
SD - Ronnie Brown 58-yard run (Nick Novak kick), 2:17. Chargers 27–10. Drive: 2 plays, 60 yards, 0:50.
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
Top tacklers
With the Chargers defeating the Bengals, 27-10, they advanced to the AFC Divisional Playoff Game.
AFC Divisional Playoff Game: at #1 Denver Broncos
AFC Divisional Playoff Game: #6 San Diego Chargers at #1 Denver Broncos – Game summary
Quarter
1
2
3 4 Total
Chargers
0
0
0 17 17
Broncos
7
7
3 7 24
at Sports Authority Field at Mile High , Denver, Colorado
Date : January 12, 2014Game time : 2:40 p.m. MST /1:40 p.m. PSTGame weather : 41 °F (5 °C), partly cloudyGame attendance : 76,969Referee : Clete Blakeman TV announcers (CBS) : Jim Nantz, Phil Simms, and Tracy WolfsonRecap , Game book
Game information
1st quarter
2nd quarter
3rd quarter
DEN – Matt Prater 45 yd. field goal, 9:35. Broncos 17–0. Drive: 12 plays, 37 yards, 5:25.
4th quarter
SD – Keenan Allen 16 yd. pass from Philip Rivers (Nick Novak kick), 12:59. Broncos 17–7. Drive: 6 plays, 63 yards, 3:08.
DEN - Knowshon Moreno 3 yd. run (Matt Prater kick), 8:12. Broncos 24–7. Drive: 9 plays, 81 yards, 4:47.
SD - Keenan Allen 16 yd. pass from Philip Rivers (Nick Novak kick), 5:43. Broncos 24–14. Drive: 7 plays, 80 yards, 2:29.
SD - Nick Novak 30 yd. field goal, 3:53. Broncos 24–17. Drive: 8 plays, 48 yards, 1:50.
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
Top tacklers
With the Chargers falling to the Broncos, the Chargers finish the season 10-8, the 1st double digit winning season since 2009 and 1st playoff victory since 2008.
Standings
Division
Conference
^ a b The Chargers traded their second round (No. 45 overall) and fourth round (No. 110 overall) selections to the Arizona Cardinals in exchange for the Cardinals' second round selection (No. 38 overall).
References
External links
Franchise Stadiums Culture Lore Rivalries Wild card berths (4) Division championships (15) Conference championships (1) League championships (1) Media Current league affiliations Former league affiliation