1972 San Diego Chargers season

1972 NFL team season

1972 San Diego Chargers season
OwnerEugene V. Klein
General managerHarland Svare
Head coachHarland Svare
Home fieldSan Diego Stadium
Results
Record4–9–1
Division place4th AFC West
Playoff finishDid not qualify
Pro Bowlers
  • WR Gary Garrison
  • QB John Hadl
  • DE Deacon Jones
  • G Walt Sweeney
AP All-ProsNone[2]

The 1972 San Diego Chargers season was the franchise's third season in the National Football League (NFL), and its 13th overall. The team failed to improve on their 6–8 record in 1971. The Chargers would get off to a poor start, as they were devoured 34-3 in their season opener at San Francisco. After their week 2 win against the Denver Broncos, the Chargers would play to a 17-17 draw with another cross-state rival, the Oakland Raiders. It was San Diego's fourth tie in 3 seasons (they tied 3 times in 1970). Even after they defeated the Baltimore Colts in the week following the tie, the Bolts would stumble the rest of the year, winning only 2 more games en route to a 4-9-1 season. This squad featured several players like Duane Thomas, Tim Rossovich, Dave Costa and John Mackey who were unwanted by most of the other NFL teams.[3]

Offseason

NFL draft

1972 San Diego Chargers draft
Round Pick Player Position College Notes
2 36 Pete Lazetich  Defensive end Stanford
3 61 Bill McClard  Kicker Arkansas
5 116 Jim Bishop  Tight end Tennessee Tech
5 130 Harry Gooden  Defensive end Alcorn State
6 141 Bruce Ward  Guard San Diego State
9 221 Fran Schmitz  Defensive tackle St. Norbert
10 246 Lon Kolstad  Linebacker Wisconsin–Whitewater
11 270 John Turner  Tight end Long Beach State
12 295 Sam Key  Linebacker Elon
13 321 Andy Selfridge  Linebacker Virginia
14 351 John Van Reenen  Defensive end Washington State
15 376 Charles Neugent  Defensive back Tuskegee
16 401 James Shaw  Defensive back Tulsa
17 423 Oscar Dragon  Running back Arizona State University
17 426 Bob Tackett  Tackle Texas at El Paso
      Made roster    *   Made at least one Pro Bowl during career

Roster

1972 San Diego Chargers final roster
Quarterbacks

Running backs

Wide receivers

Tight ends

Offensive linemen

Defensive linemen

Linebackers

Defensive backs

Special teams

Reserve lists


Rookies in italics

Regular season

Schedule

Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Attendance Recap
1 September 17 at San Francisco 49ers L 3–34 0–1 Candlestick Park 59,438 Recap
2 September 24 Denver Broncos W 37–14 1–1 San Diego Stadium 49,048 Recap
3 October 1 at Oakland Raiders T 17–17 1–1–1 Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum 53,455 Recap
4 October 8 at Baltimore Colts W 23–20 2–1–1 Memorial Stadium 55,459 Recap
5 October 15 at Miami Dolphins L 10–24 2–2–1 Miami Orange Bowl 80,010 Recap
6 October 22 at Detroit Lions L 20–34 2–3–1 Tiger Stadium 54,371 Recap
7 October 29 Kansas City Chiefs L 14–26 2–4–1 San Diego Stadium 54,533 Recap
8 November 5 Dallas Cowboys L 28–34 2–5–1 San Diego Stadium 54,476 Recap
9 November 13 Cleveland Browns L 17–21 2–6–1 San Diego Stadium 54,205 Recap
10 November 19 at Kansas City Chiefs W 27–17 3–6–1 Arrowhead Stadium 79,011 Recap
11 November 26 Houston Oilers W 34–20 4–6–1 San Diego Stadium 46,289 Recap
12 December 3 Oakland Raiders L 19–21 4–7–1 San Diego Stadium 54,611 Recap
13 December 10 at Denver Broncos L 13–38 4–8–1 Mile High Stadium 51,478 Recap
14 December 17 Pittsburgh Steelers L 2–24 4–9–1 San Diego Stadium 52,873 Recap
Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.

Game summaries

Week 1: at San Francisco 49ers

Week 1: San Diego Chargers at San Francisco 49ers – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Chargers 3 0 003
49ers 7 17 7334

at Candlestick Park, San Francisco, California

  • Date: September 17
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. PDT
  • Game weather: 59 °F (15.0 °C), relative humidity 74%, wind 10 mph
  • Game attendance: 59,438
  • Referee: Bernie Ulman
  • Box score
Game information

First quarter

  • SF – Gene Washington 13-yard pass from John Brodie (Bruce Gossett kick), 8:28. 49ers 7–0. Drive: 2 plays, 14 yards.
  • SDG – Dennis Partee 30-yard field goal, 2:06. 49ers 7–3. Drive: 12 plays, 58 yards, 6:22.

Second quarter

  • SF – Bruce Gossett 43-yard field goal, 12:10. 49ers 10–3. Drive: 13 plays, 39 yards, 4:56.
  • SF – Gene Washington 23-yard pass from John Brodie (Bruce Gossett kick), 3:23. 49ers 17–3. Drive: 8 plays, 80 yards, 4:13.
  • SF – Gene Washington 45-yard pass from John Brodie (Bruce Gossett kick), 0:42. 49ers 24–3. Drive: 4 plays, 61 yards, 0:38.

Third quarter

  • SF – Jimmy Thomas 4-yard run (Bruce Gossett kick), 7:36. 49ers 31–3. Drive: 1 play, 8 yards, 0:07.

Fourth quarter

  • SF – Bruce Gossett 20-yard field goal, 10:28. 49ers 34–3. Drive: 6 plays, 16 yards, 2:12.

Top passers

  • SDG – John Hadl – 11/25, 109 yards, 2 INT
  • SF – John Brodie – 11/19, 156 yards, 3 TD, INT

Top rushers

  • SDG – Mike Garrett – 19 rushes, 80 yards
  • SF – Jimmy Thomas – 13 rushes, 64 yards, TD

Top receivers

  • SDG – Dave Williams – 3 receptions, 83 yards
  • SF – Gene Washington – 8 receptions, 140 yards, 3 TD

Week 2: vs. Denver Broncos

Week 2: Denver Broncos at San Diego Chargers – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Broncos 7 0 0714
Chargers 13 21 0337

at San Diego Stadium, San Diego, California

  • Date: September 24
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. PDT
  • Game weather: 68 °F (20.0 °C), relative humidity 74%, wind 13 mph
  • Game attendance: 49,048
  • Referee: Jim Tunney
  • Box score
Game information

First quarter

  • DEN – Randy Montgomery 94-yard kickoff return (Jim Turner kick), 14:45. Broncos 7–0.
  • SDG – Dennis Partee 45-yard field goal, 9:29. Broncos 7–3. Drive: 12 plays, 40 yards, 5:16.
  • SDG – Dennis Partee 11-yard field goal, 6:24. Broncos 7–6. Drive: 4 plays, -2 yards, 1:22.
  • SDG – Mike Garrett 41-yard run (Dennis Partee kick), 4:42. Chargers 13–7. Drive: 3 plays, 57 yards, 0:28.

Second quarter

  • SDG – Gary Garrison 9-yard pass from John Hadl (Dennis Partee kick), 9:21. Chargers 20–7. Drive: 7 plays, 41 yards, 4:21.
  • SDG – Dave Williams 31-yard pass from John Hadl (Dennis Partee kick), 3:05. Chargers 27–7. Drive: 4 plays, 49 yards, 1:47.
  • SDG – Joe Beauchamp 47-yard interception return (Dennis Partee kick), 2:07. Chargers 34–7.

Third quarter

  • No scoring plays.

Fourth quarter

  • DEN – Steve Ramsey 8-yard run (Jim Turner kick), 4:47. Chargers 34–14. Drive: 12 plays, 80 yards, 4:14.
  • SDG – Bill McClard 47-yard field goal, 0:55. Chargers 37–14. Drive: 8 plays, 40 yards, 3:52.

Top passers

  • DEN – Steve Ramsey – 14/25, 192 yards, 3 INT
  • SDG – John Hadl – 15/32, 188 yards, 2 TD, INT

Top rushers

  • DEN – Fran Lynch – 5 rushes, 43 yards
  • SDG – Mike Garrett – 21 rushes, 104 yards, TD

Top receivers

  • DEN – Rod Sherman – 6 receptions, 95 yards
  • SDG – Gary Garrison – 6 receptions, 69 yards, TD

Week 3: at Oakland Raiders

Week 3: San Diego Chargers at Oakland Raiders – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Chargers 0 7 01017
Raiders 14 0 0317

at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Oakland, California

  • Date: October 1
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. PDT
  • Game weather: 61 °F (16.1 °C), relative humidity 83%, wind 10 mph
  • Game attendance: 53,455
  • Referee: Dick Jorgensen
  • Box score
Game information

First quarter

Second quarter

Third quarter

  • No scoring plays.

Fourth quarter

  • SDG – Carl Mauck offensive fumble recovery in end zone (Dennis Partee kick), 14:12. Tied 14–14. Drive: 11 plays, 79 yards, 5:18.
  • SDG – Dennis Partee 41-yard field goal, 7:02. Chargers 17–14. Drive: 10 plays, 31 yards, 5:43.
  • OAK – George Blanda 40-yard field goal, 4:28. Tied 17–17. Drive: 7 plays, 35 yards, 2:34.

Top passers

  • SDG – John Hadl – 9/13, 156 yards, INT
  • OAK – Daryle Lamonica – 14/26, 152 yards, TD, INT

Top rushers

  • SDG – Cid Edwards – 18 rushes, 97 yards, TD
  • OAK – Marv Hubbard – 16 rushes, 58 yards, TD

Top receivers

  • SDG – Cid Edwards – 6 receptions, 100 yards
  • OAK – Fred Biletnikoff – 5 receptions, 75 yards

Week 4: at Baltimore Colts

Week 4: San Diego Chargers at Baltimore Colts – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Chargers 0 7 01017
Colts 14 0 0317

at Memorial Stadium, Baltimore, Maryland

  • Date: October 8
  • Game time: 2:00 p.m. PDT
  • Game weather: 60 °F (15.6 °C), relative humidity 52%, wind 15 mph
  • Game attendance: 55,459
  • Referee: Fred Wyant
  • Box score
Game information

First quarter

Second quarter

  • BAL – Jim O'Brien 22-yard field goal, 7:28. Chargers 7–3. Drive: 10 plays, 45 yards, 3:55.
  • SDG – Dennis Partee 51-yard field goal, 2:55. Chargers 10–3. Drive: 9 plays, 28 yards, 4:33.

Third quarter

  • BAL – Don Nottingham 13-yard run (Jim O'Brien kick), 10:19. Tied 10–10. Drive: 11 plays, 84 yards, 4:41.
  • BAL – Jim O'Brien 20-yard field goal, 6:06. Colts 17–10. Drive: 6 plays, 12 yards, 2:08.
  • BAL – Don Nottingham 3-yard run (Jim O'Brien kick), 0:11. Colts 20–10. Drive: 9 plays, 57 yards, 3:39.

Fourth quarter

  • SDG – Mike Garrett 2-yard run (Dennis Partee kick), 10:05. Colts 20–17. Drive: 4 plays, 24 yards, 1:52.
  • SDG – Dennis Partee 40-yard field goal, 2:14. Tied 20–20. Drive: 7 plays, 12 yards, 1:46.
  • SDG – Dennis Partee 28-yard field goal, 0:04. Chargers 23–20. Drive: 5 plays, 30 yards, 1:04.

Top passers

Top rushers

  • SDG – Mike Garrett – 27 rushes, 132 yards, 2 TD
  • BAL – Don Nottingham – 17 rushes, 85 yards, 2 TD

Top receivers

Week 5: at Miami Dolphins

Week 5: San Diego Chargers at Miami Dolphins – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Chargers 3 0 0710
Dolphins 3 14 7024

at Orange Bowl, Miami, Florida

  • Date: October 15
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT
  • Game weather: 78 °F (25.6 °C), relative humidity 72%, wind 10 mph
  • Game attendance: 80,010
  • Referee: Chuck Heberling
  • Box score
Game information

First quarter

  • MIA – Garo Yepremian 37-yard field goal, 5:18. Dolphins 3–0. Drive: 6 plays, 20 yards, 2:00.
  • SDG – Dennis Partee 12-yard field goal, 0:56. Tied 3–3. Drive: 12 plays, 76 yards, 4:22.

Second quarter

  • MIA – Dick Anderson 35-yard fumble return (Garo Yepremian kick), 13:51. Dolphins 10–3.
  • MIA – Howard Twilley 18-yard pass from Earl Morrall (Garo Yepremian kick), 4:25. Dolphins 17–3. Drive: 4 plays, 34 yards, 2:10.

Third quarter

  • MIA – Paul Warfield 19-yard pass from Earl Morrall (Garo Yepremian kick), 9:25. Dolphins 24–3. Drive: 8 plays, 46 yards, 5:35.

Fourth quarter

Top passers

  • SDG – John Hadl – 12/22, 117 yards, TD, 2 INT
  • MIA – Earl Morrall – 8/10, 86 yards, 2 TD

Top rushers

Top receivers

  • SDG – Cid Edwards – 4 receptions, 39 yards, TD
  • MIA – Howard Twilley – 2 receptions, 41 yards, TD

Week 6: at Detroit Lions

Week 6: San Diego Chargers at Detroit Lions – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Chargers 6 0 01420
Lions 6 7 14734

at Tiger Stadium, Detroit, Michigan

  • Date: October 22
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT
  • Game weather: 47 °F (8.3 °C), relative humidity 96%, wind 9 mph
  • Game attendance: 54,371
  • Box score
Game information

First quarter

  • DET – Errol Mann 25-yard field goal, 8:49. Lions 3–0. Drive: 11 plays, 49 yards, 4:17.
  • SDG – Cid Edwards 1-yard run (kick blocked), 1:55. Chargers 6–3. Drive: 11 plays, 73 yards, 6:54.
  • DET – Errol Mann 41-yard field goal, 0:47. Tied 6–6. Drive: 4 plays, 0 yards, 1:08.

Second quarter

  • DET – Mel Farr 1-yard run (Errol Mann kick), 6:54. Lions 13–6. Drive: 15 plays, 65 yards, 7:53.

Third quarter

  • DET – Mel Farr 2-yard run (Errol Mann kick), 7:55. Lions 20–6. Drive: 12 plays, 60 yards, 7:05.
  • DET – Larry Walton 24-yard pass from Greg Landry (Errol Mann kick), 4:21. Lions 27–6. Drive: 5 plays, 17 yards, 2:04.

Fourth quarter

  • DET – Greg Landry 5-yard run (Errol Mann kick), 12:03. Lions 34–6. Drive: 9 plays, 61 yards, 5:16.
  • SDG – Gary Garrison 15-yard pass from John Hadl (Dennis Partee kick), 10:08. Lions 34–13. Drive: 4 plays, 67 yards, 1:55.
  • SDG – Gary Garrison 5-yard pass from John Hadl (Dennis Partee kick), 6:40. Lions 34–20. Drive: 5 plays, 17 yards, 0:56.

Top passers

  • SDG – John Hadl – 12/27, 161 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT
  • DET – Greg Landry – 12/24, 151 yards, TD, INT

Top rushers

  • SDG – Cid Edwards – 9 rushes, 42 yards, TD
  • DET – Mel Farr – 22 rushes, 96 yards, 2 TD

Top receivers

  • SDG – Gary Garrison – 7 receptions, 119 yards, 2 TD
  • DET – Larry Walton – 7 receptions, 101 yards, TD

Week 7: vs. Kansas City Chiefs

Week 7: Kansas City Chiefs at San Diego Chargers – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Chiefs 0 3 101326
Chargers 0 7 0714

at San Diego Stadium, San Diego, California

  • Date: October 29
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. PST
  • Game weather: 62 °F (16.7 °C), relative humidity 75%, wind 8 mph
  • Game attendance: 54,533
  • Referee: Norm Schachter
  • Box score
Game information

First quarter

  • No scoring plays.

Second quarter

Third quarter

  • KAN – Jan Stenerud 50-yard field goal, 12:37. Chargers 7–6. Drive: 7 plays, 25 yards, 2:23.
  • KAN – Ed Podolak 6-yard run (Jan Stenerud kick), 0:40. Chiefs 13–7. Drive: 5 plays, 17 yards, 3:18.

Fourth quarter

  • KAN – Jan Stenerud 15-yard field goal, 9:20. Chiefs 16–7. Drive: 4 plays, 4 yards, 1:46.
  • SDG – Mike Garrett 3-yard run (Dennis Partee kick), 3:17. Chiefs 16–14. Drive: 11 plays, 78 yards, 6:03.
  • KAN – Robert West 8-yard offensive fumble return (Jan Stenerud kick), 1:49. Chiefs 23–14. Drive: 3 plays, 65 yards, 1:28.
  • KAN – Jan Stenerud 37-yard field goal, 0:31. Chiefs 26–14. Drive: 4 plays, -5 yards, 0:40.

Top passers

  • KAN – Len Dawson – 14/27, 154 yards, 2 INT
  • SDG – John Hadl – 18/36, 231 yards, TD, 3 INT

Top rushers

  • KAN – Ed Podolak – 18 rushes, 71 yards, TD
  • SDG – Cid Edwards – 12 rushes, 55 yards

Top receivers

  • KAN – Otis Taylor – 5 receptions, 86 yards
  • SDG – Cid Edwards – 7 receptions, 93 yards

Week 8: vs. Dallas Cowboys

Week 8: Dallas Cowboys at San Diego Chargers – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Cowboys 10 14 7334
Chargers 0 0 72128

at San Diego Stadium, San Diego, California

  • Date: November 5
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. PST
  • Game weather: 64 °F (17.8 °C), relative humidity 75%, wind 9 mph
  • Game attendance: 54,476
  • Referee: Bernie Ulman
  • Box score
Game information

First quarter

  • DAL – Mike Montgomery 54-yard fumble return (Toni Fritsch kick), 13:16. Cowboys 7–0.
  • DAL – Toni Fritsch 25-yard field goal, 7:32. Cowboys 10–0. Drive: 6 plays, 18 yards, 2:39.

Second quarter

  • DAL – Walt Garrison 9-yard run (Toni Fritsch kick), 10:25. Cowboys 17–0. Drive: 4 plays, 40 yards, 2:22.
  • DAL – Mike Ditka 1-yard pass from Craig Morton (Toni Fritsch kick), 0:43. Cowboys 24–0. Drive: 8 plays, 52 yards, 3:26.

Third quarter

  • DAL – Craig Morton 7-yard run (Toni Fritsch kick), 6:31. Cowboys 31–0. Drive: 9 plays, 70 yards, 3:47.
  • SDG – Chuck Dicus 46-yard pass from John Hadl (Dennis Partee kick), 3:56. Cowboys 31–7. Drive: 6 plays, 80 yards, 2:35.

Fourth quarter

  • SDG – Gary Garrison 42-yard pass from John Hadl (Dennis Partee kick), 13:39. Cowboys 31–14. Drive: 5 plays, 68 yards, 2:26.
  • SDG – Chuck Dicus 20-yard pass from John Hadl (Dennis Partee kick), 10:09. Cowboys 31–21. Drive: 5 plays, 32 yards, 1:36.
  • DAL – Toni Fritsch 31-yard field goal, 3:47. Cowboys 34–21. Drive: 11 plays, 81 yards, 6:22.
  • SDG – Dave Williams 47-yard pass from John Hadl (Dennis Partee kick), 0:00. Cowboys 34–28. Drive: 4 plays, 60 yards.

Top passers

  • DAL – Craig Morton – 15/21, 161 yards, TD, INT
  • SDG – John Hadl – 11/26, 211 yards, 4 TD, 3 INT

Top rushers

  • DAL – Walt Garrison – 13 rushes, 44 yards, TD
  • SDG – Mike Garrett – 17 rushes, 88 yards

Top receivers

  • DAL – Ron Sellers – 3 receptions, 79 yards
  • SDG – Chuck Dicus – 4 receptions, 77 yards, 2 TD

Week 9: vs. Cleveland Browns

Week 9: Cleveland Browns at San Diego Chargers – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Browns 0 7 01421
Chargers 0 3 7717

at San Diego Stadium, San Diego, California

  • Date: November 13
  • Game time: 6:00 p.m. PST
  • Game weather: 58 °F (14.4 °C), relative humidity 65%, wind 6 mph
  • Game attendance: 54,205
  • Box score
Game information

First quarter

  • No scoring plays.

Second quarter

Third quarter

Fourth quarter

  • CLE – Ken Brown 2-yard run (Don Cockroft kick). Browns 14–10.
  • SDG – Mike Garrett 3-yard run (Dennis Partee kick). Chargers 17–14.
  • CLE – Frank Pitts 38-yard pass from Mike Phipps (Don Cockroft kick). Browns 21–17.

Top passers

  • CLE – Mike Phipps – 13/21, 186 yards, TD, INT
  • SDG – John Hadl – 12/21, 140 yards, TD, INT

Top rushers

  • CLE – Leroy Kelly – 17 rushes, 67 yards
  • SDG – Cid Edwards – 17 rushes, 91 yards

Top receivers

  • CLE – Frank Pitts – 5 receptions, 96 yards, TD
  • SDG – Pettis Norman – 3 receptions, 47 yards

Week 10: at Kansas City Chiefs

Week 10: San Diego Chargers at Kansas City Chiefs – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Chargers 7 17 3027
Chiefs 7 0 3717

at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri

  • Date: November 19
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: 32 °F (0.0 °C), relative humidity 81%, wind 11 mph, wind chill 23
  • Game attendance: 79,011
  • Referee: Jack Reader
  • Box score
Game information

First quarter

Second quarter

  • SDG – Dennis Partee 46-yard field goal, 10:37. Chargers 10–7. Drive: 6 plays, 16 yards, 3:08.
  • SDG – John Hadl 1-yard run (Dennis Partee kick), 6:31. Chargers 17–7. Drive: 9 plays, 47 yards, 4:06.
  • SDG – Gary Garrison 20-yard pass from John Hadl (Dennis Partee kick), 0:22. Chargers 24–7. Drive: 7 plays, 59 yards, 1:26.

Third quarter

  • SDG – Dennis Partee 24-yard field goal, 11:17. Chargers 27–7. Drive: 4 plays, 4 yards, 1:14.
  • KAN – Jan Stenerud 28-yard field goal, 1:47. Chargers 27–10. Drive: 10 plays, 60 yards, 4:37.

Fourth quarter

  • KAN – Robert West 36-yard pass from Mike Livingston (Jan Stenerud kick), 4:11. Chargers 27–17. Drive: 11 plays, 37 yards, 4:14.

Top passers

  • SDG – John Hadl – 17/28, 216 yards, TD
  • KAN – Mike Livingston – 19/30, 231 yards, TD, 3 INT

Top rushers

  • SDG – Cid Edwards – 12 rushes, 62 yards
  • KAN – Ed Podolak – 18 rushes, 71 yards, TD

Top receivers

  • SDG – Cid Edwards – 6 receptions, 82 yards
  • KAN – Mike Adamle – 9 receptions, 34 yards

Week 11: vs. Houston Oilers

Week 11: Houston Oilers at San Diego Chargers – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Oilers 0 3 01720
Chargers 10 10 7734

at San Diego Stadium, San Diego, California

  • Date: November 26
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. PST
  • Game weather: 61 °F (16.1 °C), relative humidity 51%, wind 7 mph
  • Game attendance: 46,289
  • Box score
Game information

First quarter

  • SDG – Jesse Taylor blocked punt recovery in end zone (Dennis Partee kick). Chargers 7–0.
  • SDG – Dennis Partee 31-yard field goal. Chargers 10–0.

Second quarter

  • HOU – Skip Butler 49-yard field goal. Chargers 10–3.
  • SDG – Dennis Partee 11-yard field goal. Chargers 13–3.
  • SDG – Cid Edwards 1-yard run (Dennis Partee kick). Chargers 20–3.

Third quarter

  • SDG – Cid Edwards 31-yard run (Dennis Partee kick). Chargers 27–3.

Fourth quarter

  • HOU – Skip Butler 47-yard field goal. Chargers 27–6.
  • SDG – Dave Williams 3-yard pass from John Hadl (Dennis Partee kick). Chargers 34–6.
  • HOU – Rhett Dawson 3-yard pass from Dan Pastorini (Skip Butler kick). Chargers 34–13.
  • HOU – Fred Willis 7-yard pass from Kent Nix (Skip Butler kick). Chargers 34–20.

Top passers

  • HOU – Dan Pastorini – 17/35, 166 yards, TD, INT
  • SDG – John Hadl – 13/24, 141 yards, TD

Top rushers

  • HOU – Paul Robinson – 17 rushes, 67 yards
  • SDG – Mike Garrett – 17 rushes, 102 yards

Top receivers

  • HOU – Ken Burrough – 4 receptions, 52 yards
  • SDG – Cid Edwards – 3 receptions, 44 yards

Week 12: vs. Oakland Raiders

Week 12: Oakland Raiders at San Diego Chargers – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Raiders 7 7 0721
Chargers 0 10 6319

at San Diego Stadium, San Diego, California

  • Date: December 3
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. PST
  • Game weather: 60 °F (15.6 °C), relative humidity 71%, wind 9 mph
  • Game attendance: 54,611
  • Referee: Ed Marion
  • Box score
Game information

First quarter

Second quarter

  • SDG – Dennis Partee 15-yard field goal, 14:14. Raiders 7–3. Drive: 12 plays, 66 yards, 5:47.
  • SDG – Cid Edwards 1-yard run (Dennis Partee kick), 5:00. Chargers 10–7. Drive: 12 plays, 58 yards, 6:28.
  • OAK – Fred Biletnikoff 36-yard pass from Daryle Lamonica (George Blanda kick), 1:49. Raiders 14–10. Drive: 7 plays, 65 yards, 3:11.

Third quarter

  • SDG – Gary Garrison 52-yard pass from John Hadl (kick blocked), 6:09. Chargers 16–14. Drive: 1 play, 52 yards, 0:08.

Fourth quarter

  • SDG – Dennis Partee 18-yard field goal, 12:31. Chargers 19–14. Drive: 8 plays, 59 yards, 2:43.
  • OAK – Charlie Smith 9-yard run (George Blanda kick), 1:18. Raiders 21–19. Drive: 7 plays, 80 yards, 2:13.

Top passers

  • OAK – Daryle Lamonica – 14/23, 223 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT
  • SDG – John Hadl – 15/26, 221 yards, TD, 2 INT

Top rushers

Top receivers

  • OAK – Mike Siani – 4 receptions, 71 yards
  • SDG – Gary Garrison – 4 receptions, 79 yards, TD

Week 13: at Denver Broncos

Week 13: San Diego Chargers at Denver Broncos – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Chargers 0 3 3713
Broncos 7 14 17038

at Mile High Stadium, Denver, Colorado

  • Date: December 10
  • Game time: 12:00 p.m. MST
  • Game weather: 7 °F (−13.9 °C), relative humidity 52%, wind 7 mph, wind chill -20
  • Game attendance: 51,478
  • Box score
Game information

First quarter

  • DEN – Floyd Little 2-yard run (Jim Turner kick). Broncos 7–0.

Second quarter

  • SDG – Bill McClard 26-yard field goal. Broncos 7–3.
  • DEN – Joe Dawkins 4-yard run (Jim Turner kick). Broncos 14–3.
  • DEN – Charlie Greer 65-yard punt return (Jim Turner kick). Broncos 21–3.

Third quarter

  • SDG – Bill McClard 48-yard field goal, 9:29. Broncos 21–6.
  • DEN – Jim Turner 12-yard field goal, 4:47. Broncos 24–6.
  • DEN – Haven Moses 11-yard pass from Charley Johnson (Jim Turner kick), 4:47. Broncos 31–6.
  • DEN – Haven Moses 7-yard pass from Charley Johnson (Jim Turner kick), 4:47. Broncos 38–6.

Fourth quarter

Top passers

  • SDG – John Hadl – 22/44, 288 yards, TD, 2 INT
  • DEN – Charley Johnson – 6/10, 85 yards, 2 TD, INT

Top rushers

Top receivers

  • SDG – Gary Garrison – 10 receptions, 156 yards, TD
  • DEN – Haven Moses – 3 receptions, 43 yards, 2 TD

Week 14: vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

Week 14: Pittsburgh Steelers at San Diego Chargers – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Steelers 7 7 3724
Chargers 2 0 002

at San Diego Stadium, San Diego, California

  • Date: December 17
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. PST
  • Game weather: 60 °F (15.6 °C), relative humidity 37%, wind 6 mph
  • Game attendance: 52,873
  • Referee: Pat Haggerty
  • Box score
Game information

First quarter

Second quarter

  • PIT – John Fuqua 2-yard run (Roy Gerela kick), 6:05. Steelers 14–2. Drive: 4 plays, 34 yards, 1:29.

Third quarter

  • PIT – Roy Gerela 26-yard field goal, 1:57. Steelers 17–2. Drive: 6 plays, 13 yards, 1:26.

Fourth quarter

  • PIT – Ron Shanklin 17-yard pass from Terry Bradshaw (Roy Gerela kick), 6:03. Steelers 24–2. Drive: 6 plays, 48 yards, 4:01.

Top passers

  • PIT – Terry Bradshaw – 12/23, 152 yards, TD, INT
  • SDG – John Hadl – 11/26, 122 yards, 4 INT

Top rushers

  • PIT – John Fuqua – 17 rushes, 51 yards, TD
  • SDG – Cid Edwards – 13 rushes, 52 yards

Top receivers

  • PIT – John Fuqua – 3 receptions, 50 yards
  • SDG – Cid Edwards – 3 receptions, 42 yards

Standings

AFC West
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 W L T PCT DIV CONF PF PA STK
Oakland Raiders 10 3 1 .750 3–2–1 7–3–1 365 248 W6
Kansas City Chiefs 8 6 0 .571 4–2 6–5 287 254 W3
Denver Broncos 5 9 0 .357 2–4 4–6 325 350 W2
San Diego Chargers 4 9 1 .321 2–3–1 4–6–1 264 344 L3

Notable events

In their last game for the year, the Chargers became the thirty-third team in the NFL or leagues that merged with the NFL to score only a safety in a full game. This unusual occurrence has been repeated only five times since: by the 1980 Buffalo Bills, the 1983 Minnesota Vikings, the 1993 Cincinnati Bengals, the 2011 Atlanta Falcons (the only team to do so in a playoff game) and the 2013 Jacksonville Jaguars.

References

  1. ^ "1972 NFL Pro Bowlers". Pro-Football-Reference.com.
  2. ^ "1972 NFL All-Pros". Pro-Football-Reference.com.
  3. ^ Anderson, Dave. "Sports of The Times: John Mackey's Week," The New York Times, Tuesday, September 19, 1972. Retrieved October 22, 2020
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Los Angeles Chargers
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Los Angeles Chargers seasons
Played in San Diego (1961–2016)
Bold indicates AFL Championship (1960–69) or Super Bowl (1966–) victory
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