57th season in franchise history, final one in San Diego
The 2016 season was the San Diego Chargers ' 47th in the National Football League (NFL), their 57th overall, their 56th and final season in San Diego, California and their fourth and final season under head coach Mike McCoy .
Due to the age of Qualcomm Stadium , there was speculation that the team would be relocating back to Los Angeles, where the franchise played its first season in 1960 . This followed a decision by the NFL to allow the St. Louis Rams to return to the Greater Los Angeles Area with a provision that the Chargers may relocate to Los Angeles as well. On January 4, 2016, the team filed a relocation application to the NFL along with the Rams and the Oakland Raiders releasing a statement and a video on the team's website. The league made its decision in a special meeting on January 12; it approved the Chargers' relocation if they chose to share SoFi Stadium with the Rams (the Raiders-Chargers proposal did not receive enough support from the league as a whole to proceed, prompting the Raiders to back out). On January 29, 2016, the Chargers announced they would remain in San Diego for the 2016 season as negotiations with the city continued; the team also reached an agreement in principle to use the Rams' Los Angeles stadium should negotiations with the city of San Diego fail.[ 1]
On November 8, 2016, Measure C was voted down by voters 57% to 43%; and on January 12, 2017, the Chargers officially announced a move to Los Angeles, making 2016 their final season in San Diego.
This would also be the first time in nine seasons that Pro Bowler free safety Eric Weddle was not on the team, having departed via free agency to the Baltimore Ravens . Weddle had spent his entire career with the Chargers, starting with the 2007 NFL season .
This was also the first time the Chargers suffered from consecutive losing seasons since 2000 —2001 .
On January 1, 2017, the Chargers fired McCoy after four seasons.[ 2]
Offseason
Roster changes
Signed
Departures
Draft
Notes
The Chargers traded their 2016 fifth-round selection, along with their 2015 first- and fourth-round selections to the San Francisco 49ers in exchange for the 49ers' 2015 first-round selection.
The Chargers acquired an additional sixth-round selection in a trade that sent guard Jeremiah Sirles to the Minnesota Vikings .
As the result of a negative differential of free agent signings and departures that the Chargers experienced during the 2015 free agency period, the team received one compensatory selection for the 2016 draft in the fifth round.[ 3] Free agent transactions that occurred after May 12, 2015, did not impact the team's formula for determining compensatory selections for the 2016 draft.[ 4]
Staff
2016 San Diego Chargers staff
Front office
Owner – Alex Spanos
Minority owner – George Pernicano
Chairman/president – Dean Spanos
Executive vice president – Michael Spanos
CEO/president – Business Operations – A. G. Spanos
General manager – Tom Telesco
President – Football Operations – John Spanos
Executive vice president of football administration/player finance – Ed McGuire
Senior executive – Randy Mueller
Director of pro scouting – Dennis Abraham
Senior director of pro personnel – Louis Clark
Director of player personnel – JoJo Wooden
Director of college scouting – Kevin Kelly
Head coaches
Offensive coaches
Defensive coaches
Special teams coaches
Strength and conditioning
Final roster
2016 San Diego Chargers final roster
Quarterbacks
Running backs
Wide receivers
Tight ends
Offensive linemen
Defensive linemen
Linebackers
Defensive backs
Special teams
Reserve lists
Practice squad
Rookies in italics
53 active, 23 inactive, 9 practice squad
Schedule
Preseason
Regular season
Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.
Game summaries
Week 1: at Kansas City Chiefs
Game information
First quarter
KC – Cairo Santos 47-yard field goal, 11:51. Chiefs 3–0. Drive: 7 plays, 46 yards, 3:09.
SD – Melvin Gordon 1-yard run (Josh Lambo kick), 8:27. Chargers 7–3. Drive: 6 plays, 75 yards, 3:24.
Second quarter
SD – Melvin Gordon 6-yard run (Josh Lambo kick), 11:51. Chargers 14–3. Drive: 13 plays, 80 yards, 6:51.
SD – Danny Woodhead 4-yard pass from Philip Rivers (Josh Lambo kick), 7:54. Chargers 21–3. Drive: 6 plays, 38 yards, 3:32.
Third quarter
SD – Josh Lambo 29-yard field goal, 6:02. Chargers 24–3. Drive: 9 plays, 34 yards, 4:00.
KC – Tyreek Hill 9-yard pass from Alex Smith (Cairo Santos kick), 2:47. Chargers 24–10. Drive: 7 plays, 75 yards, 3:15.
Fourth quarter
SD – Josh Lambo 28-yard field goal, 13:24. Chargers 27–10. Drive: 9 plays, 65 yards, 4:23.
KC – Jeremy Maclin 19-yard pass from Alex Smith (Cairo Santos kick), 9:18. Chargers 27–17. Drive: 7 plays, 56 yards, 2:02.
KC – Cairo Santos 33-yard field goal, 3:09. Chargers 27–20. Drive: 12 plays, 62 yards, 3:40.
KC – Spencer Ware 5-yard run (Cairo Santos kick), 1:03. Tied 27–27. Drive: 4 plays, 42 yards, 0:46.
Overtime
KC – Alex Smith 2-yard run, 9:53. Chiefs 33–27. Drive: 10 plays, 70 yards, 5:07.
Top passers
SD – Philip Rivers – 25/36, 243 yards, TD
KC – Alex Smith – 34/48, 363 yards, 2 TD, INT
Top rushers
SD – Danny Woodhead – 16 rushes, 89 yards
KC – Spencer Ware – 11 rushes, 70 yards, TD
Top receivers
SD – Tyrell Williams – 2 receptions, 71 yards
KC – Spencer Ware – 7 receptions, 129 yards
Leading 21–3 at halftime, the Chargers blew their lead, scoring only six more points by field goals. Kansas City rallied with 24 unanswered points, forcing overtime, where the Chiefs won the season's opening game.
Week 2: vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
SD – Travis Benjamin 6-yard pass from Philip Rivers (Josh Lambo kick), 14:54. Chargers 14–0. Drive: 7 plays, 34 yards, 3:34.
SD – Antonio Gates 2-yard pass from Philip Rivers (Josh Lambo kick), 9:54. Chargers 21–0. Drive: 5 plays, 56 yards, 2:11.
Third quarter
SD – Tyrell Williams 44-yard pass from Philip Rivers (Josh Lambo kick), 10:54. Chargers 28–0. Drive: 3 plays, 55 yards, 1:33.
SD – Travis Benjamin 45-yard pass from Philip Rivers (Josh Lambo kick), 2:48. Chargers 35–0. Drive: 7 plays, 93 yards, 4:18.
Fourth quarter
JAX – Marcedes Lewis 4-yard pass from Blake Bortles (Jason Myers kick), 12:54. Chargers 35–7. Drive: 12 plays, 75 yards, 4:54.
SD – Josh Lambo 25-yard field goal, 7:00. Chargers 38–7. Drive: 11 plays, 36 yards, 5:54.
JAX – Corey Grant 15-yard pass from Blake Bortles (Jason Myers kick), 1:04. Chargers 38–14. Drive: 9 plays, 60 yards, 2:30.
Top passers
JAX – Blake Bortles – 31/50, 329 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT
SD – Philip Rivers – 17/24, 220 yards, 4 TD
Top rushers
JAX – Blake Bortles – 3 rushes, 34 yards
SD – Melvin Gordon – 24 rushes, 102 yards, TD
Top receivers
JAX – Marqise Lee – 5 receptions, 75 yards
SD – Travis Benjamin – 6 receptions, 115 yards, 2 TD
Already without Keenan Allen for the entire season, running back Danny Woodhead suffered a torn ACL, putting him out for the season. Nevertheless, the Chargers would go on to burn the Jaguars, winning 38–14 and with that, they went to 1–1.
Week 3: at Indianapolis Colts
Game information
First quarter
IND – Adam Vinatieri 38-yard field goal, 8:53. Colts 3–0. Drive: 11 plays, 58 yards, 6:07.
IND – Frank Gore 6-yard run (Adam Vinatieri kick), 3:39. Colts 10–0. Drive: 9 plays, 85 yards, 3:25.
Second quarter
SD – Josh Lambo 42-yard field goal, 14:51. Colts 10–3. Drive: 10 plays, 50 yards, 3:48.
SD – Josh Lambo 34-yard field goal, 14:04. Colts 10–6. Drive: 4 plays, −10 yards, 0:32.
IND – Adam Vinatieri 33-yard field goal, 6:25. Colts 13–6. Drive: 11 plays, 60 yards, 7:39.
SD – Caraun Reid 61-yard fumble return (Josh Lambo kick), 0:55. Tied 13–13.
Third quarter
SD – Melvin Gordon 1-yard run (kick blocked), 8:23. Chargers 19–13. Drive: 12 plays, 80 yards, 6:37.
IND – Robert Turbin 1-yard run (Adam Vinatieri kick), 2:39. Colts 20–19. Drive: 10 plays, 75 yards, 5:44.
Fourth quarter
SD – Josh Lambo 27-yard field goal, 7:34. Chargers 22–20. Drive: 9 plays, 73 yards, 4:25.
IND – T. Y. Hilton 63-yard pass from Andrew Luck (pass failed), 1:17. Colts 26–22. Drive: 6 plays, 83 yards, 1:12.
Top passers
SD – Philip Rivers – 26/39, 330 yards
IND – Andrew Luck – 24/37, 331 yards, TD, INT
Top rushers
SD – Melvin Gordon – 16 rushes, 35 yards, TD
IND – Frank Gore – 21 rushes, 82 yards, TD
Top receivers
SD – Tyrell Williams – 6 receptions, 69 yards
IND – T. Y. Hilton – 8 receptions, 174 yards, TD
With a stunning loss on a 63-yard Colts touchdown pass to T.Y. Hilton with 1:17 to play, the Chargers' record fell to 1–2.
Week 4: vs. New Orleans Saints
Week Four: New Orleans Saints at San Diego Chargers – Game summary
Period
1
2
3 4 Total
Saints
7
7
7 14 35
Chargers
7
17
0 10 34
at Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego, California
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
NO – John Kuhn 4-yard pass from Drew Brees (Wil Lutz kick), 9:20. Saints 14–7. Drive: 14 plays, 75 yards, 6:50.
SD – Dontrelle Inman 57-yard pass from Philip Rivers (Josh Lambo kick), 7:04. Tied 14–14. Drive: 4 plays, 75 yards, 2:16.
SD – Josh Lambo 30-yard field goal, 4:50. Chargers 17–14. Drive: 5 plays, 29 yards, 2:05.
SD – Melvin Gordon 1-yard run (Josh Lambo kick), 0:13. Chargers 24–14. Drive: 11 plays, 47 yards, 2:14.
Third quarter
NO – John Kuhn 1-yard run (Wil Lutz kick), 9:00. Chargers 24–21. Drive: 9 plays, 48 yards, 4:18.
Fourth quarter
SD – Melvin Gordon 1-yard run (Josh Lambo kick), 12:15. Chargers 31–21. Drive: 14 plays, 74 yards, 6:28.
SD – Josh Lambo 47-yard field goal, 8:39. Chargers 34–21. Drive: 6 plays, −3 yards, 2:48.
NO – Michael Thomas 5-yard pass from Drew Brees (Wil Lutz kick), 4:50. Chargers 34–28. Drive: 4 plays, 13 yards, 1:50.
NO – John Kuhn 1-yard run (Wil Lutz kick), 1:57. Saints 35–34. Drive: 7 plays, 31 yards, 2:45.
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
NO – Mark Ingram II – 6 receptions, 49 yards
SD – Dontrelle Inman – 7 receptions, 120 yards, TD
Ahead 34–21, the Chargers gave up two Drew Brees touchdown passes in the final five minutes and fell to 1–3.
Week 5: at Oakland Raiders
Week Five: San Diego Chargers at Oakland Raiders – Game summary
Period
1
2
3 4 Total
Chargers
0
10
14 7 31
Raiders
3
6
18 7 34
at Oakland Alameda Coliseum , Oakland, California
Date : October 9Game time : 1:25 p.m. PDTGame weather : 75 °F (24 °C), sunnyGame attendance : 54,275Referee : Gene Steratore TV announcers (CBS) : Tom McCarthy and Adam ArchuletaRecap , Gamebook
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
SD – Tyrell Williams 29-yard pass from Philip Rivers (Josh Lambo kick), 13:07. Chargers 7–3. Drive: 8 plays, 60 yards, 3:20.
OAK – Sebastian Janikowski 26-yard field goal, 7:13. Chargers 7–6. Drive: 11 plays, 67 yards, 5:54.
SD – Josh Lambo 36-yard field goal, 4:24. Chargers 10–6. Drive: 5 plays, 57 yards, 2:249.
OAK – Sebastian Janikowski 56-yard field goal, 0:00. Chargers 10–9. Drive: 4 plays, 6 yards, 1:39.
Third quarter
SD – Melvin Gordon 18-yard pass from Philip Rivers (Josh Lambo kick), 12:31. Chargers 17–9. Drive: 4 plays, 75 yards, 2:29.
OAK – Amari Cooper 64-yard pass from Derek Carr (Sebastian Janikowski kick), 11:25. Chargers 17–16. Drive: 5 plays, 75 yards, 1:06.
SD – Hunter Henry 1-yard pass from Philip Rivers (Josh Lambo kick), 10:10. Chargers 24–16. Drive: 3 plays, 75 yards, 1:15.
OAK – Sebastian Janikowski 48-yard field goal, 4:41. Chargers 24–19. Drive: 10 plays, 45 yards, 5:29.
OAK – Michael Crabtree 21-yard pass from Derek Carr (Derek Carr–Amari Cooper pass), 1:09. Raiders 27–24. Drive: 6 plays, 38 yards, 2:45.
Fourth quarter
OAK – Jamize Olawale 1-yard run (Sebastian Janikowski kick), 12:51. Raiders 34–24. Drive: 4 plays, 32 yards, 2:09.
SD – Antonio Gates 4-yard pass from Philip Rivers (Josh Lambo kick), 6:21. Raiders 34–31. Drive: 12 plays, 75 yards, 6:30.
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
With their third straight loss to the Raiders, the Chargers fell to 1–4.
Week 6: vs. Denver Broncos
Week Six: Denver Broncos at San Diego Chargers – Game summary
Period
1
2
3 4 Total
Broncos
0
3
0 10 13
Chargers
7
3
9 2 21
at Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego, California
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
SD – Josh Lambo 37-yard field goal, 10:35. Chargers 10–0. Drive: 18 plays, 75 yards, 10:03.
DEN – Brandon McManus 29-yard field goal, 5:40. Chargers 10–3. Drive: 4 plays, 0 yards, 2:08.
Third quarter
SD – Josh Lambo 21-yard field goal, 10:41. Chargers 13–3. Drive: 5 plays, 51 yards, 2:10.
SD – Josh Lambo 31-yard field goal, 7:15. Chargers 16–3. Drive: 4 plays, 7 yards, 2:00.
SD – Josh Lambo 32-yard field goal, 3:31. Chargers 19–3. Drive: 8 plays, 50 yards, 2:51.
Fourth quarter
SD – Penalty on Russell Okung enforced in the end zone for a safety 11:59. Chargers 21–3.
DEN – Bennie Fowler 5-yard pass from Trevor Siemian (Brandon McManus kick), 8:08. Chargers 21–10. Drive: 11 plays, 51 yards, 3:51.
DEN – Brandon McManus 46-yard field goal, 0:27. Chargers 21–13. Drive: 11 plays, 56 yards, 2:36.
Top passers
DEN – Trevor Siemian – 30/50, 230 yards, TD
SD – Philip Rivers – 18/29, 178 yards, TD
Top rushers
Top receivers
DEN – Emmanuel Sanders – 4 receptions, 40 yards
SD – Hunter Henry – 6 receptions, 83 yards, TD
The Chargers wore Color Rush uniforms with shades of blue and yellow San Diego used from 1974 until 1984.
The team snapped a 3-game losing streak against the Broncos and improved to 2–4.
Week 7: at Atlanta Falcons
Week Seven: San Diego Chargers at Atlanta Falcons – Game summary
Period
1
2
3 4 OT Total
Chargers
7
10
3 10 3 33
Falcons
6
21
0 3 0 30
at Georgia Dome , Atlanta
Game information
First quarter
SD – Melvin Gordon 2-yard run (Josh Lambo kick), 10:55. Chargers 7–0. Drive: 7 plays, 75 yards, 4:05.
ATL – Matt Bryant 42-yard field goal, 6:26. Chargers 7–3. Drive: 10 plays, 51 yards, 4:29.
ATL – Matt Bryant 27-yard field goal, 2:34. Chargers 7–6. Drive: 4 plays, 1 yard, 0:56.
Second quarter
SD – Josh Lambo 40-yard field goal, 13:29. Chargers 10–6. Drive: 10 plays, 61 yards, 4:05.
ATL – Jacob Tamme 17-yard pass from Matt Ryan (Matt Bryant kick), 9:06. Falcons 13–10. Drive: 7 plays, 75 yards, 4:23.
ATL – Tevin Coleman 30-yard run (Matt Bryant kick), 6:07. Falcons 20–10. Drive: 4 plays, 50 yards, 1:49.
ATL – Adrian Clayborn 5-yard fumble return (Matt Bryant kick), 4:31. Falcons 27–10.
SD – Melvin Gordon 3-yard run (Josh Lambo kick), 1:02. Falcons 27–17. Drive: 7 plays, 75 yards, 3:29.
Third quarter
SD – Josh Lambo 37-yard field goal, 4:50. Falcons 27–20. Drive: 8 plays, 50 yards, 3:15.
Fourth quarter
ATL – Matt Bryant 31-yard field goal, 13:23. Falcons 30–20. Drive: 13 plays, 62 yards, 6:27.
SD – Melvin Gordon 5-yard pass from Philip Rivers (Josh Lambo kick), 5:59. Falcons 30–27. Drive: 15 plays, 75 yards, 7:24.
SD – Josh Lambo 33-yard field goal, 0:18. Tied 30–30. Drive: 12 plays, 50 yards, 3:14.
Overtime
SD – Josh Lambo 42-yard field goal, 9:01. Chargers 33–30. Drive: 6 plays, 19 yards, 3:11.
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
The Chargers came into this game with a 1–8 all-time record against Atlanta, and this marked San Diego's first visit to Atlanta since 2004. The Falcons had built a 27–10 lead by the two-minute warning at the end of the first half, but the Chargers pulled them back and leveled the score at 30–30 with a 33-yard Josh Lambo field goal with 18 seconds left in regulation. Lambo then hit a 42-yard attempt in overtime to seal the win for the Chargers as they improved to 3–4.
Week 8: at Denver Broncos
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
DEN – Bradley Roby 49-yard interception return (Brandon McManus kick), 9:10. Broncos 10–7.
Third quarter
DEN – Devontae Booker 3-yard run (Brandon McManus kick), 12:45. Broncos 17–7. Drive: 2 plays, 10 yards, 0:45.
SD – Travis Benjamin 14-yard pass from Philip Rivers (kick blocked), 4:02. Broncos 17–13. Drive: 13 plays, 98 yards, 7:42.
Fourth quarter
DEN – Juwan Thompson 1-yard run (Brandon McManus kick), 12:32. Broncos 24–13. Drive: 13 plays, 75 yards, 6:30.
SD – Casey Hayward 24-yard interception return (pass failed), 8:02. Broncos 24–19.
DEN – Brandon McManus 22-yard field goal, 5:19. Broncos 27–19. Drive: 6 plays, 71 yards, 2:43.
Top passers
SD – Philip Rivers – 20/47, 267 yards, 2 TD, 3 INT
DEN – Trevor Siemian – 20/38, 276 yards, INT
Top rushers
SD – Melvin Gordon – 23 rushes, 111 yards
DEN – Devontae Booker – 19 rushes, 54 yards, TD
Top receivers
Week 9: vs. Tennessee Titans
Week Nine: Tennessee Titans at San Diego Chargers – Game summary
Period
1
2
3 4 Total
Titans
0
14
7 14 35
Chargers
9
10
14 10 43
at Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego, California
Date : November 6Game time : 1:25 p.m. PSTGame weather : 76 °F (24 °C), partly cloudyGame attendance : 52,281Referee : Brad Allen TV announcers (CBS) : Kevin Harlan, Dan Fouts and Scott KaplanRecap , Gamebook
Game information
First quarter
SD – Antonio Gates 13-yard pass from Philip Rivers (kick failed, wide right), 10:02. Chargers 6–0. Drive: 9 plays, 75 yards, 4:58.
SD – Josh Lambo 32-yard field goal, 4:11. Chargers 9–0. Drive: 10 plays, 35 yards, 4:44.
Second quarter
SD – Tyrell Williams 6-yard pass from Philip Rivers (Josh Lambo kick), 14:18. Chargers 16–0. Drive: 5 plays, 87 yards, 2:51.
TEN – Rishard Matthews 16-yard pass from Marcus Mariota (Ryan Succop kick), 11:14. Chargers 16–7. Drive: 8 plays, 75 yards, 3:04.
SD – Josh Lambo 23-yard field goal, 1:32. Chargers 19–7. Drive: 6 plays, 10 yards, 0:52.
TEN – Rishard Matthews 7-yard pass from Marcus Mariota (Ryan Succop kick), 0:14. Chargers 19–14. Drive: 7 plays, 75 yards, 1:18.
Third quarter
TEN – Marcus Mariota 14-yard run (Ryan Succop kick), 12:19. Titans 21–19. Drive: 9 plays, 75 yards, 2:41.
SD – Melvin Gordon 1-yard run (Josh Lambo kick), 5:28. Chargers 26–21. Drive: 14 plays, 75 yards, 6:51.
SD – Dwight Lowery 36-yard fumble return (Josh Lambo kick), 2:31. Chargers 33–21.
Fourth quarter
TEN – Delanie Walker 8-yard pass from Marcus Mariota (Ryan Succop kick), 9:51. Chargers 33–28. Drive: 7 plays, 80 yards, 2:59.
SD – Josh Lambo 36-yard field goal, 6:05. Chargers 36–28. Drive: 7 plays, 57 yards, 3:46.
SD – Brandon Flowers 33-yard interception return (Josh Lambo kick), 4:51. Chargers 43–28.
TEN – DeMarco Murray 1-yard run (Ryan Succop kick), 2:45. Chargers 43–35. Drive: 10 plays, 75 yards, 2:06.
Top passers
TEN – Marcus Mariota – 27/43, 313 yards, 3 TD, 2 INT
SD – Philip Rivers – 24/33, 275 yards, 2 TD
Top rushers
TEN – DeMarco Murray – 14 rushes, 51 yards, TD
SD – Melvin Gordon – 32 rushes, 196 yards, TD
Top receivers
TEN – Richard Matthews – 6 receptions, 63 yards, 2 TD
SD – Antonio Gates – 5 receptions, 75 yards, TD
This turned out to be the Chargers last win in San Diego. They lost their last 4 games at Qualcomm Stadium.
Week 10: vs. Miami Dolphins
Week Ten: Miami Dolphins at San Diego Chargers – Game summary
Period
1
2
3 4 Total
Dolphins
0
7
14 10 31
Chargers
0
10
7 7 24
at Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego, California
Date : November 13Game time : 1:05 p.m. PSTGame weather : 85 °F (29 °C), sunnyGame attendance : 55,107Referee : Terry McAulay TV announcers (CBS) : Greg Gumbel, Trent Green and Jamie ErdahlRecap , Gamebook
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
MIA – Damien Williams 2-yard run (Andrew Franks kick), 12:29. Dolphins 14–10. Drive: 5 plays, 75 yards, 2:31.
SD – Hunter Henry 7-yard pass from Philip Rivers (Josh Lambo kick), 5:36. Chargers 17–14. Drive: 12 plays, 75 yards, 6:53.
MIA – Damien Williams 18-yard pass from Ryan Tannehill (Andrew Franks kick), 1:43. Dolphins 21–17. Drive: 8 plays, 75 yards, 3:53.
Fourth quarter
SD – Tyrell Williams 51-yard pass from Philip Rivers (Josh Lambo kick), 4:04. Chargers 24–21. Drive: 4 plays, 58 yards, 1:02.
MIA – Andrew Franks 27-yard field goal, 2:57. Tied 24–24. Drive: 5 plays, 66 yards, 1:07.
MIA – Kiko Alonso 60-yard interception return (Andrew Franks kick), 1:01. Dolphins 31–24.
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
Philip Rivers would throw four fourth quarter interceptions in this game, including a crucial pick-6 with a minute remaining that was returned by Kiko Alonso.
With the loss, the Chargers went into their bye week at 4–6.
Week 12: at Houston Texans
Week Twelve: San Diego Chargers at Houston Texans – Game summary
Period
1
2
3 4 Total
Chargers
0
14
0 7 21
Texans
0
7
0 6 13
at NRG Stadium , Houston, Texas
Date : November 27Game time : 12:00 p.m. CST/10:00 a.m. PSTGame weather : Played indoors (retractable roof closed)Game attendance : 71,897Referee : Jeff Triplette TV announcers (CBS) : Kevin Harlan and Rich GannonRecap , Gamebook
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
HOU – Nick Novak 19-yard field goal, 14:09. Chargers 14–10. Drive: 9 plays, 36 yards, 5:28.
SD – Hunter Henry 12-yard pass from Philip Rivers (Josh Lambo kick), 9:52. Chargers 21–10. Drive: 7 plays, 75 yards, 4:17.
HOU – Nick Novak 45-yard field goal, 0:14. Chargers 21–13. Drive: 9 plays, 60 yards, 2:03.
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
This would end up being the last win for the Chargers in franchise history while in San Diego.
Week 13: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Week Thirteen: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at San Diego Chargers – Game summary
Period
1
2
3 4 Total
Buccaneers
7
0
10 11 28
Chargers
7
7
7 0 21
at Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego, California
Date : December 4Game time : 1:25 p.m. PSTGame weather : 72 °F (22 °C), sunnyGame attendance : 53,832Referee : John Hussey TV announcers (Fox) : Sam Rosen, David Diehl and Holly SondersRecap , Gamebook
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
SD – Melvin Gordon 2-yard run (Josh Lambo kick), 10:08. Chargers 14–7. Drive: 11 plays, 61 yards, 6:04.
Third quarter
TB – Roberto Aguayo 27-yard field goal, 8:29. Chargers 14–10. Drive: 13 plays, 66 yards, 6:35.
TB – Lavonte David 15-yard interception return (Roberto Aguayo kick), 4:32. Buccaneers 17–14.
SD – Tyrell Williams 40-yard pass from Philip Rivers (Josh Lambo kick), 1:42. Chargers 21–17. Drive: 5 plays, 75 yards, 2:52.
Fourth quarter
TB – Roberto Aguayo 35-yard field goal, 13:07. Chargers 21–20. Drive: 8 plays, 59 yards, 3:30.
TB – Cameron Brate 12-yard touchdown pass from Jameis Winston (Jameis Winston–Mike Evans pass), 9:06. Buccaneers 28–21. Drive: 4 plays, 54 yards, 2:14.
Top passers
TB – Jameis Winston – 20/30, 280 yards, TD, INT
SD – Philip Rivers – 15/26, 225 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT
Top rushers
TB – Melvin Gordon – 17 rushes, 84 yards, TD
SD – Doug Martin – 17 rushes, 45 yards, TD
Top receivers
TB – Cameron Brate – 6 receptions, 84 yards, TD
SD – Melvin Gordon – 4 receptions, 54 yards
Week 14: at Carolina Panthers
Week Fourteen: San Diego Chargers at Carolina Panthers – Game summary
Period
1
2
3 4 Total
Chargers
0
7
9 0 16
Panthers
10
13
3 2 28
at Bank of America Stadium , Charlotte, North Carolina
Date : December 11Game time : 1:00 p.m. EST/10:00 a.m. PSTGame weather : 37 °F (3 °C), cloudyGame attendance : 73,856Referee : Ronald TorbertTV announcers (Fox) : Sam Rosen, Brady Quinn and Holly SondersRecap , Gamebook
Game information
First quarter
CAR – Graham Gano 41-yard field goal, 10:19. Panthers 3–0. Drive: 9 plays, 29 yards, 3:10.
CAR – Jonathan Stewart 1-yard run (Graham Gano kick), 1:48. Panthers 10–0. Drive: 7 plays, 35 yards, 3:23.
Second quarter
CAR – Devin Funchess 6-yard pass from Cam Newton (Graham Gano kick), 11:12. Panthers 17–0. Drive: 8 plays, 58 yards, 3:33.
CAR – Graham Gano 44-yard field goal, 5:23. Panthers 20–0. Drive: 6 plays, 34 yards, 2:48.
CAR – Graham Gano 45-yard field goal, 3:49. Panthers 23–0. Drive: 4 plays, 1 yard, 0:47.
SD – Hunter Henry 9-yard pass from Philip Rivers (Josh Lambo kick), 1:03. Panthers 23–7. Drive: 9 plays, 75 yards, 2:46.
Third quarter
CAR – Graham Gano 23-yard field goal, 11:29. Panthers 26–7. Drive: 9 plays, 70 yards, 3:31.
SD – Josh Lambo 32-yard field goal, 4:26. Panthers 26–10. Drive: 14 plays, 61 yards, 7:03.
SD – Dontrelle Inman 19-yard pass from Philip Rivers (pass failed), 0:30. Panthers 26–16. Drive: 5 plays, 66 yards, 2:08.
Fourth quarter
CAR – Philip Rivers sacked in the end zone by Mario Addison for a safety, 10:09. Panthers 28–16.
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
Week 15: vs. Oakland Raiders
Week Fifteen: Oakland Raiders at San Diego Chargers – Game summary
Period
1
2
3 4 Total
Raiders
3
7
3 6 19
Chargers
7
3
6 0 16
at Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego, California
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
SD – Josh Lambo 35-yard field goal, 1:29. Chargers 10–3. Drive: 14 plays, 63 yards, 3:58.
OAK – Michael Crabtree 13-yard pass from Derek Carr (Sebastian Janikowski kick), 0:22. Tied 10–10. Drive: 6 plays, 75 yards, 1:07.
Third quarter
OAK – Sebastian Janikowski 33-yard field goal, 10:48. Raiders 13–10. Drive: 8 plays, 45 yards, 8:45.
SD – Hunter Henry 7-yard pass from Philip Rivers (kick blocked), 6:14. Chargers 16–13. Drive: 7 plays, 77 yards, 4:34.
Fourth quarter
OAK – Sebastian Janikowski 21-yard field goal, 8:38. Tied 16–16. Drive: 6 plays, 11 yards, 2:57.
OAK – Sebastian Janikowski 44-yard field goal, 2:40. Raiders 19–16. Drive: 9 plays, 54 yards, 3:47.
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
Top tacklers
With the loss, the Chargers were mathematically eliminated from playoff contention for the 3rd straight year, and 7th time in 8 years.
Week 16: at Cleveland Browns
Week Sixteen: San Diego Chargers at Cleveland Browns – Game summary
Period
1
2
3 4 Total
Chargers
10
0
7 0 17
Browns
7
10
3 0 20
at FirstEnergy Stadium , Cleveland , Ohio
Date : Game time : 1:00 p.m. EST/10:00 a.m. PSTGame weather : 38 °F (3 °C), cloudyGame attendance : 57,272Referee : Walt Coleman TV announcers (CBS) : Spero Dedes and Solomon WilcotsRecap , Gamebook
Game information
First quarter
SD – Antonio Gates 1-yard pass from Philip Rivers (Josh Lambo kick), 10:49. Chargers 7–0. Drive: 8 plays, 75 yards, 4:11.
CLE – Isaiah Crowell 8-yard run (Cody Parkey kick), 5:12. Tied 7–7. Drive: 10 plays, 72 yards, 5:37.
SD – Josh Lambo 43-yard field goal, 1:49. Chargers 10–7. Drive: 7 plays, 50 yards, 3:23.
Second quarter
CLE – Isaiah Crowell 4-yard run (Cody Parkey kick), 12:39. Browns 14–10. Drive: 10 plays, 75 yards, 4:10.
CLE – Cody Parkey 49-yard field goal, 4:46. Browns 17–10. Drive: 10 plays, 39 yards, 4:49.
Third quarter
CLE – Cody Parkey 27-yard field goal, 10:58. Browns 20–10. Drive: 8 plays, 57 yards, 4:02.
SD – Tyrell Williams 1-yard pass from Philip Rivers (Josh Lambo kick), 6:04. Browns 20–17. Drive: 11 plays, 75 yards, 4:54.
Fourth quarter
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
The loss dropped the Chargers to 5–10, and they became the only team to lose to the Cleveland Browns in 2016.
Week 17: vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Week Seventeen: Kansas City Chiefs at San Diego Chargers – Game summary
Period
1
2
3 4 Total
Chiefs
3
17
14 3 37
Chargers
3
7
7 10 27
at Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego, California
Date : January 1, 2017Game time : 1:25 p.m. PSTGame weather : 59 °F (15 °C), cloudyGame attendance : 54,915Referee : Walt Anderson TV announcers (CBS) : Greg Gumbel, Trent Green and Jamie ErdahlRecap , Gamebook
Game information
First quarter
SD – Josh Lambo 35-yard field goal, 10:16. Chargers 3–0. Drive: 10 plays, 55 yards, 4:44.
KC – Cairo Santos 35-yard field goal, 5:20. Tied 3–3. Drive: 10 plays, 53 yards, 4:56.
Second quarter
SD – Antonio Gates 2-yard pass from Philip Rivers (Josh Lambo kick), 14:49. Chargers 10–3. Drive: 11 plays, 76 yards, 5:31.
KC – Alex Smith 5-yard run (Cairo Santos kick), 12:53. Tied 10–10. Drive: 4 plays, 75 yards, 1:56.
KC – Charcandrick West 4-yard pass from Alex Smith (Cairo Santos kick), 6:09. Chiefs 17–10. Drive: 9 plays, 34 yards, 4:26.
KC – Cairo Santos 25-yard field goal, 0:00. Chiefs 20–10. Drive: 8 plays, 73 yards, 1:10.
Third quarter
SD – Jahleel Addae 90-yard interception return (Josh Lambo kick), 10:23. Chiefs 20–17.
KC – Charcandrick West 2-yard pass from Alex Smith (Cairo Santos kick), 3:48. Chiefs 27–17. Drive: 12 plays, 60 yards, 6:35.
KC – Tyreek Hill 95-yard punt return (Cairo Santos kick), 0:59. Chiefs 34–17.
Fourth quarter
SD – Josh Lambo 29-yard field goal, 10:19. Chiefs 34–20. Drive: 14 plays, 64 yards, 5:40.
KC – Cairo Santos 37-yard field goal, 4:31. Chiefs 37–20. Drive: 10 plays, 31 yards, 5:48.
SD – Hunter Henry 12-yard pass from Philip Rivers (Josh Lambo kick), 2:08. Chiefs 37–27. Drive: 10 plays, 89 yards, 2:23.
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
KC – Charcandrick West – 5 receptions, 58 yards, 2 TD
SD – Tyrell Williams – 6 receptions, 70 yards
With their sixth straight loss to the Chiefs, the Chargers finished the season 5–11. This would be the final game played as the San Diego Chargers before relocating to Los Angeles following the season.
Standings
Division
Conference
#
Team
Division
W
L
T
PCT
DIV
CONF
SOS
SOV
STK
Division leaders
1
New England Patriots
East
14
2
0
.875
5–1
11–1
.439
.424
W7
2[ a]
Kansas City Chiefs
West
12
4
0
.750
6–0
9–3
.508
.479
W2
3
Pittsburgh Steelers
North
11
5
0
.688
5–1
9–3
.494
.423
W7
4[ b]
Houston Texans
South
9
7
0
.563
5–1
7–5
.502
.427
L1
Wild Cards
5[ a]
Oakland Raiders
West
12
4
0
.750
3–3
9–3
.504
.443
L1
6
Miami Dolphins
East
10
6
0
.625
4–2
7–5
.455
.341
L1
Did not qualify for the postseason
7[ b] [ c]
Tennessee Titans
South
9
7
0
.563
2–4
6–6
.465
.458
W1
8[ c]
Denver Broncos
West
9
7
0
.563
2–4
6–6
.549
.455
W1
9[ d]
Baltimore Ravens
North
8
8
0
.500
4–2
7–5
.498
.363
L2
10[ d]
Indianapolis Colts
South
8
8
0
.500
3–3
5–7
.492
.406
W1
11
Buffalo Bills
East
7
9
0
.438
1–5
4–8
.482
.339
L2
12
Cincinnati Bengals
North
6
9
1
.406
3–3
5–7
.521
.333
W1
13[ e]
New York Jets
East
5
11
0
.313
2–4
4–8
.518
.313
W1
14[ e]
San Diego Chargers
West
5
11
0
.313
1–5
4–8
.543
.513
L5
15
Jacksonville Jaguars
South
3
13
0
.188
2–4
2–10
.527
.417
L1
16
Cleveland Browns
North
1
15
0
.063
0–6
1–11
.549
.313
L1
Tiebreakers [ f]
^ a b Kansas City clinched the AFC West division over Oakland based on head-to-head sweep.
^ a b Houston clinched the AFC South division title over Tennessee based on record vs. division opponents.
^ a b Tennessee finished ahead of Denver based on head-to-head victory.
^ a b Baltimore finished ahead of Indianapolis based on record vs. conference opponents.
^ a b The New York Jets finished ahead of San Diego based record vs. common opponents — the Jets' cumulative record against Cleveland, Indianapolis, Kansas City and Miami was 1–4, while San Diego's cumulative record against the same four teams was 0–5.
^ When breaking ties for three or more teams under the NFL's rules, they are first broken within divisions, then comparing only the highest ranked remaining team from each division.
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