1973 San Diego Chargers season

1973 NFL team season

The 1973 San Diego Chargers season was the franchise's fourth season in the National Football League (NFL), and its 14th overall.

The team was coming off a season that ended with a 4–9–1 record. Although he was offered a five-year contract toward the end of the previous season, 1973 would prove to be Harland Svare's final season as the team's head coach.

The team obtained quarterback Johnny Unitas in a trade with the Baltimore Colts, but Unitas was a shell of his former greatness. In the middle of the season he was replaced at quarterback by a rookie Dan Fouts, the team's third-round pick in that year's draft.[3]

Offseason

NFL draft

1973 San Diego Chargers draft
Round Pick Player Position College Notes
1 25 Johnny Rodgers  Wide receiver Nebraska Joined the Chargers in 1977 after initially playing in the Canadian Football League
3 64 Dan Fouts * †  Quarterback Oregon
4 84 Jim Thaxton  Tight end Tennessee State
4 97 Bill Singletary  Linebacker Temple
5 123 Willie McGee  Wide receiver Alcorn State
5 125 Jon Knoble  Linebacker Weber State
6 135 Marvin Roberts  Center Michigan State
9 214 Tab Bennett  Linebacker Illinois
10 239 Cliff Burnett  Defensive end Montana
11 268 Jay Douglas  Center Memphis
12 293 Lynn Ahrens  Tackle Eastern Montana
13 318 Alfred Reese  Running back Tennessee State
14 343 Tony Adams  Quarterback Utah State
15 372 Gary Parris  Tight end Florida State
16 397 Joe Petty  Defensive back Arizona State University
17 422 Barry Darrow  Tackle Montana
      Made roster    †   Pro Football Hall of Fame    *   Made at least one Pro Bowl during career

Roster

1973 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 16 at Washington Redskins L 0–38 0–1 RFK Stadium 53,589 Recap
2 September 23 Buffalo Bills W 34–7 1–1 San Diego Stadium 47,588 Recap
3 September 30 Cincinnati Bengals L 13–20 1–2 San Diego Stadium 46,733 Recap
4 October 7 at Pittsburgh Steelers L 21–38 1–3 Three Rivers Stadium 48,795 Recap
5 October 14 Oakland Raiders L 17–27 1–4 San Diego Stadium 50,672 Recap
6 October 21 Atlanta Falcons L 0–41 1–5 San Diego Stadium 41,527 Recap
7 October 28 at Cleveland Browns T 16–16 1–5–1 Cleveland Municipal Stadium 68,244 Recap
8 November 4 Kansas City Chiefs L 0–19 1–6–1 San Diego Stadium 50,234 Recap
9 November 11 at Denver Broncos L 19–30 1–7–1 Mile High Stadium 51,034 Recap
10 November 18 New Orleans Saints W 17–14 2–7–1 San Diego Stadium 34,848 Recap
11 November 25 at Oakland Raiders L 3–31 2–8–1 Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum 40,195 Recap
12 December 2 at New England Patriots L 14–30 2–9–1 Schaefer Stadium 58,150 Recap
13 December 9 Denver Broncos L 28–42 2–10–1 San Diego Stadium 44,954 Recap
14 December 16 at Kansas City Chiefs L 6–33 2–11–1 Arrowhead Stadium 43,755 Recap

Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.

Game summaries

Week 1: at Washington Redskins

Week One: San Diego Chargers at Washington Redskins – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Chargers 0 0 000
Redskins 21 0 71038

at Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium, Washington, D.C.

  • Date: September 16
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT
  • Game weather: 73 °F (22.8 °C), relative humidity 59%, wind 6 mph
  • Game attendance: 53,589
  • Referee: Norm Schachter
  • Box score
Game information

First quarter

  • WAS – Verlon Biggs 2-yard fumble return (Curt Knight kick), 9:03. Redskins 7–0.
  • WAS – Larry Brown 1-yard run (Curt Knight kick), 5:08. Redskins 14–0. Drive: 3 plays, 22 yards, 0:53.
  • WAS – Brig Owens 36-yard fumble return (Curt Knight kick), 0:57. Redskins 21–0.

Second quarter

  • No scoring plays.

Third quarter

Fourth quarter

  • WAS – Curt Knight 19-yard field goal, 14:09. Redskins 31–0. Drive: 4 plays, 3 yards, 0:51.
  • WAS – Frank Grant 12-yard pass from Billy Kilmer (Curt Knight kick), 9:50. Redskins 38–0. Drive: 5 plays, 52 yards, 3:15.

Top passers

  • SDG – Johnny Unitas – 6/17, 55 yards, 3 INT
  • WAS – Billy Kilmer – 10/18, 129 yards, 2 TD

Top rushers

Top receivers

  • SDG – Gary Garrison – 2 receptions, 36 yards
  • WAS – Charley Taylor – 3 receptions, 60 yards, TD

Week 2: vs. Buffalo Bills

Week Two: Buffalo Bills at San Diego Chargers – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Bills 0 7 007
Chargers 7 7 14634

at San Diego Stadium, San Diego, California

  • Date: September 23
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. PDT
  • Game weather: 67 °F (19.4 °C), relative humidity 71%, wind 10 mph
  • Game attendance: 47,588
  • Referee: Jack Reader
  • Box score
Game information

First quarter

  • SDG – Ron Smith 72-yard punt return (Ray Wersching kick), 5:09. Chargers 7–0.

Second quarter

  • BUF – O. J. Simpson 6-yard run (John Leypoldt kick), 9:50. Tied 7–7. Drive: 6 plays, 53 yards, 1:22.
  • SDG – Robert Holmes 1-yard run (Ray Wersching kick), 6:33. Chargers 14–7. Drive: 9 plays, 67 yards, 3:17.

Third quarter

  • SDG – Gary Garrison 26-yard pass from Johnny Unitas (Ray Wersching kick), 12:31. Chargers 21–7. Drive: 2 plays, 27 yards, 0:44.
  • SDG – Jim Thaxton 12-yard pass from Johnny Unitas (Ray Wersching kick), 0:11. Chargers 28–8. Drive: 10 plays, 80 yards, 4:53.

Fourth quarter

  • SDG – Robert Holmes 4-yard run (kick blocked), 8:16. Chargers 34–7. Drive: 2 plays, 35 yards, 0:54.

Top passers

  • BUF – Dennis Shaw – 7/15, 106 yards, 2 INT
  • SDG – Johnny Unitas – 10/18, 175 yards, 2 TD

Top rushers

  • BUF – O. J. Simpson – 22 rushes, 103 yards, TD
  • SDG – Clint Jones – 7 rushes, 42 yards

Top receivers

  • BUF – J. D. Hill – 7 receptions, 118 yards
  • SDG – Dave Williams – 5 receptions, 86 yards

Week 3: vs. Cincinnati Bengals

Week Three: Cincinnati Bengals at San Diego Chargers – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Bengals 7 6 7020
Chargers 3 0 01013

at San Diego Stadium, San Diego, California

  • Date: September 30
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. PDT
  • Game weather: 67 °F (19.4 °C), relative humidity 70%, wind 9 mph
  • Game attendance: 46,733
  • Referee: Chuck Heberling
  • Box score
Game information

First quarter

  • SDG – Ray Wersching 39-yard field goal, 7:08. Chargers 3–0. Drive: 4 plays, -5 yards, 2:00.
  • CIN – Essex Johnson 78-yard pass from Ken Anderson (Horst Muhlmann kick), 0:16. Bengals 7–3. Drive: 3 plays, 80 yards, 1:26.

Second quarter

  • CIN – Boobie Clark 1-yard run (kick failed), 11:07. Bengals 13–3. Drive: 5 plays, 36 yards, 2:13.

Third quarter

  • CIN – Essex Johnson 38-yard pass from Ken Anderson (Horst Muhlmann kick), 10:55. Bengals 20–3. Drive: 7 plays, 86 yards, 4:05.

Fourth quarter

  • SDG – Ray Wersching 13-yard field goal, 12:07. Bengals 20–6. Drive: 13 plays, 63 yards, 6:37.
  • SDG – Bob Thomas 8-yard pass from Johnny Unitas (Ray Wersching kick), 6:31. Bengals 20–13. Drive: 4 plays, 62 yards, 1:01.

Top passers

  • CIN – Ken Anderson – 10/17, 222 yards, 2 TD
  • SDG – Johnny Unitas – 15/31, 215 yards, TD, 2 INT

Top rushers

  • CIN – Essex Johnson – 21 rushes, 121 yards
  • SDG – Mike Garrett – 21 rushes, 79 yards

Top receivers

  • CIN – Essex Johnson – 2 receptions, 116 yards, 2 TD
  • SDG – Gary Garrison – 4 receptions, 117 yards

Week 4: at Pittsburgh Steelers

Week Four: San Diego Chargers at Pittsburgh Steelers – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Chargers 0 0 02121
Steelers 17 21 0038

at Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

  • Date: October 7
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT
  • Game weather: 60 °F (15.6 °C), relative humidity 63%, wind 7 mph
  • Game attendance: 48,795
  • Referee: Pat Haggerty
  • Box score
Game information

First quarter

  • PIT – Ron Shanklin 12-yard pass from Terry Bradshaw (Roy Gerela kick), 10:22. Steelers 7–0. Drive: 8 plays, 67 yards, 4:38.
  • PIT – Terry Bradshaw 1-yard run (Roy Gerela kick), 5:08. Steelers 14–0. Drive: 11 plays, 50 yards, 4:35.
  • PIT – Roy Gerela 38-yard field goal, 0:31. Steelers 17–0.

Second quarter

  • PIT – Steve Davis 1-yard run (Roy Gerela kick), 13:16. Steelers 24–0. Drive: 4 plays, 1 yard, 1:26.
  • PIT – Mike Wagner blocked punt recovery in end zone (Roy Gerela kick), 8:43. Steelers 31–0.
  • PIT – Ron Shanklin 37-yard pass from Terry Hanratty (Roy Gerela kick), 5:14. Steelers 38–0. Drive: 2 plays, 38 yards, 0:50.

Third quarter

  • No scoring plays.

Fourth quarter

  • SDG – Jerry LeVias 13-yard pass from Dan Fouts (Ray Wersching kick), 14:50. Steelers 38–7. Drive: 12 plays, 73 yards, 5:56.
  • SDG – Clint Jones 3-yard run (Ray Wersching kick), 12:34. Steelers 38–14. Drive: 6 plays, 90 yards, 1:00.
  • SDG – Robert Holmes 1-yard run (Ray Wersching kick), 3:49. Steelers 38–21. Drive: 3 plays, 22 yards, 1:38.

Top passers

  • SDG – Dan Fouts – 11/21, 174 yards, TD, INT
  • PIT – Terry Bradshaw – 7/16, 99 yards, TD, INT

Top rushers

Top receivers

  • SDG – Clint Jones – 2 receptions, 51 yards
  • PIT – Frank Lewis – 4 receptions, 61 yards

Week 5: vs. Oakland Raiders

Week Five: Oakland Raiders at San Diego Chargers – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Raiders 0 6 71427
Chargers 3 0 14017

at San Diego Stadium, San Diego, California

  • Date: October 14
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. PDT
  • Game weather: 66 °F (18.9 °C), relative humidity 71%, wind 8 mph
  • Game attendance: 50,672
  • Referee: John McDonough
  • Box score
Game information

First quarter

  • SDG – Ray Wersching 27-yard field goal, 6:31. Chargers 3–0. Drive: 10 plays, 52 yards, 4:20.

Second quarter

  • OAK – George Blanda 18-yard field goal, 7:30. Tied 3–3. Drive: 6 plays, 23 yards, 1:12.
  • OAK – George Blanda 15-yard field goal, 0:07. Raiders 6–3. Drive: 8 plays, 35 yards, 1:34.

Third quarter

  • SDG – Jim Thaxton 20-yard pass from Dan Fouts (Ray Wersching kick), 11:42. Chargers 10–6. Drive: 5 plays, 21 yards, 1:41.
  • OAK – Cliff Branch 54-yard pass from Ken Stabler (George Blanda kick), 8:51. Raiders 13–10. Drive: 6 plays, 80 yards, 2:51.
  • SDG – Jerry LeVias 36-yard pass from Dan Fouts (Ray Wersching kick), 0:21. Chargers 17–13. Drive: 14 plays, 80 yards, 8:30.

Fourth quarter

  • OAK – Marv Hubbard 1-yard run (George Blanda kick), 9:54. Raiders 20–17. Drive: 12 plays, 80 yards, 5:27.
  • OAK – Bob Moore 26-yard pass from Ken Stabler (George Blanda kick), 9:01. Raiders 27–17. Drive: 2 plays, 28 yards, 0:43.

Top passers

  • OAK – Ken Stabler – 13/22, 193 yards, 2 TD, INT
  • SDG – Dan Fouts – 12/30, 183 yards, 2 TD, INT

Top rushers

  • OAK – Marv Hubbard – 16 rushes, 76 yards, TD
  • SDG – Robert Holmes – 6 rushes, 36 yards

Top receivers

  • OAK – Cliff Branch – 2 receptions, 71 yards, TD
  • SDG – Jim Thaxton – 4 receptions, 63 yards, TD

Week 6: vs. Atlanta Falcons

Week Six: Atlanta Falcons at San Diego Chargers – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Falcons 7 10 101441
Chargers 0 0 000

at San Diego Stadium, San Diego, California

  • Date: October 21
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. PDT
  • Game weather: 65 °F (18.3 °C), relative humidity 73%, wind 10 mph
  • Game attendance: 41,527
  • Box score
Game information

First quarter

Second quarter

  • ATL – Nick Mike-Mayer 43-yard field goal, 7:30. Falcons 10–0.
  • ATL – Dave Hampton 4-yard run (Nick Mike-Mayer kick), 0:07. Falcons 17–0.

Third quarter

  • ATL – Nick Mike-Mayer 12-yard field goal, 7:30. Falcons 20–0.
  • ATL – Dave Hampton 2-yard run (Nick Mike-Mayer kick), 0:07. Falcons 27–0.

Fourth quarter

  • ATL – Eddie Ray 2-yard run (Nick Mike-Mayer kick), 0:07. Falcons 34–0.
  • ATL – Eddie Ray 12-yard run (Nick Mike-Mayer kick), 0:07. Falcons 41–0.

Top passers

  • ATL – Bob Lee – 9/17, 146 yards, INT
  • SDG – Dan Fouts – 13/36, 99 yards, 4 INT

Top rushers

  • ATL – Dave Hampton – 19 rushes, 76 yards, 2 TD
  • SDG – Clint Jones – 10 rushes, 32 yards

Top receivers

Week 7: at Cleveland Browns

Week Seven: San Diego Chargers at Cleveland Browns – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Chargers 0 10 3316
Browns 0 3 31016

at Cleveland Municipal Stadium, Cleveland, Ohio

  • Date: October 28
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: 54 °F (12.2 °C), relative humidity 86%, wind 11 mph
  • Game attendance: 68,244
  • Referee: Tom Bell
  • Box score
Game information

First quarter

  • No scoring plays.

Second quarter

  • SDG – Ray Wersching 11-yard field goal, 8:21. Chargers 3–0. Drive: 9 plays, 42 yards, 5:21.
  • CLE – Don Cockroft 40-yard field goal, 5:35. Tied 3–3. Drive: 6 plays, 12 yards, 2:46.
  • SDG – Mike Garrett 1-yard pass from Dan Fouts (Ron Holliday run), 0:10. Chargers 10–3. Drive: 10 plays, 47 yards, 3:29.

Third quarter

  • CLE – Don Cockroft 17-yard field goal, 4:49. Chargers 10–6. Drive: 19 plays, 90 yards, 10:11.
  • SDG – Ray Wersching 8-yard field goal, 1:30. Chargers 13–6. Drive: 6 plays, 72 yards, 3:19.

Fourth quarter

  • CLE – Don Cockroft 42-yard field goal, 11:02. Chargers 13–9. Drive: 6 plays, 19 yards, 2:22.
  • CLE – Greg Pruitt 7-yard run (Don Cockroft kick), 8:26. Browns 16–13. Drive: 2 plays, 9 yards, 0:55.
  • SDG – Ray Wersching 16-yard field goal, 0:30. Tied 16–16. Drive: 6 plays, 69 yards, 1:46.

Top passers

  • SDG – Dan Fouts – 8/16, 135 yards, TD, INT
  • CLE – Mike Phipps – 10/21, 92 yards, 2 INT

Top rushers

  • SDG – Mike Garrett – 19 rushes, 130 yards
  • CLE – Billy Lefear – 7 rushes, 47 yards

Top receivers

  • SDG – Willie McGee – 1 reception, 50 yards
  • CLE – Billy Lefear – 2 receptions, 24 yards

Week 8: vs. Kansas City Chiefs

Week Eight: Kansas City Chiefs at San Diego Chargers – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Chiefs 6 3 3719
Chargers 0 0 000

at San Diego Stadium, San Diego, California

  • Date: November 4
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. PST
  • Game weather: 61 °F (16.1 °C), relative humidity 62%, wind 6 mph
  • Game attendance: 50,234
  • Referee: Fred Swearingen
  • Box score
Game information

First quarter

  • KAN – Ed Podolak 5-yard run (kick blocked), 2:35. Chiefs 6–0. Drive: 11 plays, 79 yards, 6:51.

Second quarter

  • KAN – Jan Stenerud 31-yard field goal, 7:58. Chiefs 9–0. Drive: 7 plays, 67 yards, 4:27.

Third quarter

  • KAN – Jan Stenerud 36-yard field goal, 8:32. Chiefs 12–0. Drive: 9 plays, 20 yards, 4:42.

Fourth quarter

Top passers

  • KAN – Mike Livingston – 13/22, 193 yards, 2 TD, INT
  • SDG – Dan Fouts – 11/29, 128 yards, 3 INT

Top rushers

Top receivers

  • KAN – Pettis Norman – 3 receptions, 62 yards
  • SDG – Morris Stroud – 2 receptions, 61 yards, TD

Week 9: at Denver Broncos

Week Nine: San Diego Chargers at Denver Broncos – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Chargers 3 13 0319
Broncos 10 0 61430

at Mile High Stadium, Denver, Colorado

  • Date: November 11
  • Game time: 2:00 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: 52 °F (11.1 °C), relative humidity 41%, wind 7 mph
  • Game attendance: 51,034
  • Referee: Jim Tunney
  • Box score
Game information

First quarter

  • DEN – Floyd Little 1-yard run (Jim Turner kick), 14:32. Broncos 7–0. Drive: 2 plays, 12 yards, 0:09.
  • DEN – Jim Turner 39 yard field goal, 10:09. Broncos 10–0. Drive: 7 plays, 33 yards, 3:12.
  • SDG – Ray Wersching 26-yard field goal, 0:00. Broncos 10–3. Drive: 17 plays, 58 yards, 10:09.

Second quarter

  • SDG – Coy Bacon 80-yard interception return (kick blocked), 5:45. Broncos 10–9.
  • SDG – Robert Holmes 18-yard run (Ray Wersching kick), 1:54. Chargers 16–10. Drive: 4 plays, 35 yards, 2:13.

Third quarter

  • DEN – Gene Washington 20-yard pass from Charley Johnson (kick blocked), 5:12. Tied 16–16. Drive: 12 plays, 62 yards, 6:24.

Fourth quarter

  • DEN – Riley Odoms 14-yard pass from Charley Johnson (Jim Turner kick), 10:01. Broncos 23–16. Drive: 7 plays, 80 yards, 3:50.
  • SDG – Ray Wersching 38-yard field goal, 4:25. Broncos 23–19. Drive: 10 plays, 43 yards, 5:36.
  • DEN – Floyd Little 1-yard run (Jim Turner kick), 0:46. Broncos 30–19. Drive: 6 plays, 23 yards, 2:32.

Top passers

  • SDG – Wayne Clark – 12/21, 122 yards
  • DEN – Charley Johnson – 16/29, 234 yards, 2 TD, INT

Top rushers

  • SDG – Mike Garrett – 12 rushes, 47 yards
  • DEN – Floyd Little – 22 rushes, 109 yards, 2 TD

Top receivers

  • SDG – Jerry LeVias – 6 reception, 89 yards
  • DEN – Floyd Little – 5 receptions, 76 yards

Week 10: vs. New Orleans Saints

Week Ten: New Orleans Saints at San Diego Chargers – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Saints 0 0 7714
Chargers 0 10 0717

at San Diego Stadium, San Diego, California

  • Date: November 18
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. PST
  • Game weather: 61 °F (16.1 °C), relative humidity 83%, wind 12 mph
  • Game attendance: 34,848
  • Referee: Pat Haggerty
  • Box score
Game information

First quarter

  • No scoring plays.

Second quarter

  • SDG – Ray Wersching 28-yard field goal, 2:51. Chargers 3–0. Drive: 5 plays, 60 yards, 1:40.
  • SDG – Ron Smith 84-yard punt return (Ray Wersching kick), 1:18. Chargers 10–0.

Third quarter

Fourth quarter

  • SDG – Robert Holmes 1-yard run (Ray Wersching kick), 8:20. Chargers 17–7.
  • NO – John Beasley 14-yard pass from Archie Manning (Bill McClard kick), 0:58. Chargers 17–14.

Top passers

  • NO – Archie Manning – 21/37, 224 yards, 2 TD, INT
  • SDG – Wayne Clark – 8/20, 109 yards, INT

Top rushers

  • NO – Jess Phillips – 16 rushes, 43 yards
  • SDG – Cid Edwards – 12 rushes, 95 yards

Top receivers

  • NO – John Beasley – 12 receptions, 127 yards, TD
  • SDG – Jerry LeVias – 2 receptions, 63 yards

Week 11: at Oakland Raiders

Week Eleven: San Diego Chargers at Oakland Raiders – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Chargers 3 0 003
Raiders 7 17 7031

at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Oakland, California

  • Date: November 25
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. PST
  • Game weather: 49 °F (9.4 °C), relative humidity 77%, wind 12 mph
  • Game attendance: 40,195
  • Referee: Fred Silva
  • Box score
Game information

First quarter

  • OAK – George Atkinson 59-yard defensive fumble return (George Blanda kick), 10:22. Raiders 7–0.
  • SDG – Dennis Partee 14-yard field goal, 3:27. Raiders 7–3. Drive: 12 plays, 65 yards, 6:47.

Second quarter

  • OAK – George Blanda 34-yard field goal, 12:15. Raiders 10–3. Drive: 12 plays, 42 yards, 6:02.
  • OAK – Charlie Smith 7-yard run (George Blanda kick), 3:54. Raiders 17–3. Drive: 5 plays, 69 yards, 1:42.
  • OAK – Fred Biletnikoff 16-yard pass from Ken Stabler (George Blanda kick), 1:44. Raiders 24–3. Drive: 1 play, 16 yards, 0:05.

Third quarter

  • OAK – Bob Moore 1-yard pass from Ken Stabler (George Blanda kick), 3:22. Raiders 31–3. Drive: 4 plays, 13 yards, 1:28.

Fourth quarter

  • No scoring plays.

Top passers

  • SDG – Wayne Clark – 6/15, 183 yards, INT
  • OAK – Ken Stabler – 12/22, 165 yards, 2 TD, INT

Top rushers

  • SDG – Cid Edwards – 16 rushes, 81 yards
  • OAK – Charlie Smith – 14 rushes, 66 yards, TD

Top receivers

  • SDG – Clint Jones – 2 receptions, 47 yards
  • OAK – Mike Siani – 4 receptions, 90 yards

Week 12: at New England Patriots

Week Twelve: San Diego Chargers at New England Patriots – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Chargers 0 14 0014
Patriots 3 13 7730

at Schaefer Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts

  • Date: December 2
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: 33 °F (0.6 °C), relative humidity 47%, wind 13 mph, wind chill 23
  • Game attendance: 58,150
  • Referee: John McDonough
  • Box score
Game information

First quarter

  • NE – Jeff White 11-yard field goal, 1:06. Patriots 3–0. Drive: 9 plays, 47 yards, 4:45.

Second quarter

  • SDG – Floyd Rice 51-yard fumble return (Dennis Partee kick), 11:48. Chargers 7–3.
  • SDG – Robert Holmes 1-yard run (Dennis Partee kick), 4:27. Chargers 14–3. Drive: 10 plays, 34 yards, 5:43.
  • NE – Mack Herron 92-yard kickoff return (kick blocked), 4:09. Chargers 14–9.
  • NE – Randy Vataha 14-yard pass from Jim Plunkett (Jeff White kick), 0:21. Patriots 16–14. Drive: 12 plays, 80 yards, 1:52.

Third quarter

  • NE – Jim Plunkett 1-yard run (Jeff White kick), 9:48. Patriots 23–14. Drive: 10 plays, 69 yards, 5:12.

Fourth quarter

  • NE – Jim Plunkett 3-yard run (Jeff White kick), 7:16. Patriots 30–14. Drive: 11 plays, 82 yards, 7:35.

Top passers

  • SDG – Wayne Clark – 5/8, 46 yards, INT
  • NE – Jim Plunkett – 13/27, 186 yards, TD, 2 INT

Top rushers

Top receivers

  • SDG – Cid Edwards – 3 receptions, 24 yards
  • NE – Reggie Rucker – 4 receptions, 55 yards

Week 13: vs. Denver Broncos

Week Thirteen: Denver Broncos at San Diego Chargers – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Broncos 7 13 19342
Chargers 7 7 01428

at San Diego Stadium, San Diego, California

  • Date: December 9
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. PST
  • Game weather: 63 °F (17.2 °C), relative humidity 34%, wind 5 mph
  • Game attendance: 44,954
  • Referee: Fred Wyant
  • Box score
Game information

First quarter

  • SDG – Robert Holmes 1-yard run (Dennis Partee kick), 5:03. Chargers 7–0. Drive: 7 plays, 60 yards, 2:26.
  • DEN – Riley Odoms 24-yard pass from Charley Johnson (Jim Turner kick), 2:49. Tied 7–7. Drive: 5 plays, 80 yards, 2:09.

Second quarter

  • DEN – Floyd Little 1-yard run (Jim Turner kick), 7:05. Broncos 14–7. Drive: 8 plays, 69 yards, 5:10.
  • DEN – Jim Turner 25-yard field goal, 4:02. Broncos 17–7. Drive: 5 plays, 17 yards.
  • SDG – Gary Garrison 11-yard pass from Dan Fouts (Dennis Partee kick), 3:03. Broncos 17–14. Drive: 4 plays, 33 yards, 0:44.
  • DEN – Jim Turner 35-yard field goal, 0:49. Broncos 20–14. Drive: 10 plays, 22 yards, 2:14.

Third quarter

  • DEN – Joe Dawkins 2-yard run (Jim Turner kick), 10:31. Broncos 27–14. Drive: 8 plays, 61 yards, 3:35.
  • DEN – Jim Turner 15-yard field goal, 5:57. Broncos 30–14. Drive: 9 plays, 35 yards, 3:02.
  • DEN – Safety, Ken Criter blocked punt through end zone, 4:13. Broncos 32–14.
  • DEN – Haven Moses 15-yard pass from Charley Johnson (Jim Turner kick), 1:13. Broncos 39–14. Drive: 7 plays, 47 yards, 2:47.

Fourth quarter

  • SDG – Cid Edwards 1-yard run (Dennis Partee kick), 12:44. Broncos 39–21. Drive: 10 plays, 68 yards, 3:20.
  • SDG – Jerry LeVias 69 yard pass from Dan Fouts (Dennis Partee kick), 8:32. Broncos 39–28. Drive: 1 play, 69 yards, 0:12.
  • DEN – Jim Turner 29-yard field goal, 2:19. Broncos 42–28. Drive: 6 plays, 20 yards, 3:39.

Top passers

  • DEN – Charley Johnson – 15/26, 216 yards, 2 TD
  • SDG – Dan Fouts – 13/31, 254 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT

Top rushers

  • DEN – Floyd Little – 18 rushes, 88 yards, TD
  • SDG – Robert Holmes – 7 rushes, 68 yards, TD

Top receivers

  • DEN – Jerry Simmons – 1 reception, 53 yards
  • SDG – Jerry LeVias – 5 receptions, 149 yards, TD

Week 14: at Kansas City Chiefs

Week Fourteen: San Diego Chargers at Kansas City Chiefs – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Chargers 3 0 306
Chiefs 10 3 101033

at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri

  • Date: December 16
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: 20 °F (−6.7 °C), relative humidity 73%, wind 11 mph, wind chill 8
  • Game attendance: 43,755
  • Box score
Game information

First quarter

  • KAN – Ed Podolak 5-yard run (Jan Stenerud kick), 10:12. Chiefs 7–0. Drive: 4 plays, 14 yards.
  • SDG – Ray Wersching 22-yard field goal, 5:04. Chiefs 7–3. Drive: 11 plays, 60 yards, 5:08.
  • KAN – Jan Stenerud 45-yard field goal, 0:12. Chiefs 10–3. Drive: 10 plays, 30 yards, 4:52.

Second quarter

  • KAN – Jan Stenerud 36-yard field goal, 11:59. Chiefs 13–3. Drive: 4 plays, -2 yards.

Third quarter

  • KAN – Jan Stenerud 20-yard field goal, 12:03. Chiefs 16–3. Drive: 5 plays, 23 yards, 1:58.
  • SDG – Ray Wersching 26-yard field goal, 9:44. Chiefs 16–6. Drive: 7 plays, 37 yards, 2:19.
  • KAN – Jeff Kinney 5-yard run (Jan Stenerud kick), 3:06. Chiefs 23–6. Drive: 12 plays, 80 yards, 6:38.

Fourth quarter

  • KAN – Wendell Hayes 2-yard run (Jan Stenerud kick), 7:17. Chiefs 30–6. Drive: 7 plays, 30 yards, 4:46.
  • KAN – Jan Stenerud 27-yard field goal, 2:10. Chiefs 33–6. Drive: 5 plays, 25 yards, 4:29.

Top passers

Top rushers

  • SDG – Robert Holmes – 9 rushes, 27 yards
  • KAN – Ed Podolak – 13 rushes, 50 yards, TD

Top receivers

  • SDG – Robert Holmes – 5 receptions, 50 yards
  • KAN – Jeff Kinney – 2 receptions, 42 yards

Standings

AFC West
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 W L T PCT DIV CONF PF PA STK
Oakland Raiders 9 4 1 .679 4–1–1 7–3–1 292 175 W4
Kansas City Chiefs 7 5 2 .571 4–2 6–4–1 231 192 W1
Denver Broncos 7 5 2 .571 3–2–1 7–2–1 354 296 L1
San Diego Chargers 2 11 1 .179 0–6 1–9–1 188 386 L4

References

  1. ^ "1973 NFL Pro Bowlers". Pro-Football-Reference.com.
  2. ^ "1973 NFL All-Pros". Pro-Football-Reference.com.
  3. ^ Fouts would go on to play 15 seasons for the Chargers, and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1993.
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