2010 San Diego Chargers season

The 2010 season was the San Diego Chargers' 41st in the National Football League and their 51st overall. After a loss to the New York Jets in the divisional round of the 2009-10 NFL Playoffs, the Chargers had high hopes of winning their fifth consecutive AFC West division title and contending for a Super Bowl championship. However, they started the season with a 2–3 record for the fourth consecutive year.[1] After a Week 16 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, they were eliminated from postseason contention, and missed the playoffs for the first time since 2005.

2010 San Diego Chargers season
OwnerAlex Spanos
Head coachNorv Turner
General managerA. J. Smith
Home fieldQualcomm Stadium
Results
Record9–7
Division place2nd AFC West
Playoff finishDid not qualify
Pro Bowlers
AP All-Pros

The Chargers used an NFL-record tying 74 players during the season due to injuries.[2] Still, they finished ranked No. 1 in the NFL both on offense and defense. However, their special teams allowed four blocked punts (and had another deflected), three kickoff return touchdowns, and one punt return touchdown.[2] The San Diego Union-Tribune wrote, "[N]o team even came close to having all those special teams foibles in one season."[2] Football Outsiders calculated that the Chargers had the worst special teams in the league in 2010, and the fifth-worst from 1993–2010.[3] In 2019, SB Nation's "Dorktown" stated that the Chargers' offensive and defensive units made them one of the best teams on paper since the AFL–NFL merger in 1970. However, they concluded that San Diego was doomed by poor special teams play which largely contributed to their 2–5 start; indeed, in all five losses, special teams snafus accounted for the margin of defeat. They were 7–2 afterwards.[4] The Chargers believed that they would have made the playoffs were it not for their special teams gaffes.[5] With one additional win, they would have been 10–6 and won the AFC West in a tiebreaker over the Kansas City Chiefs.[4][6]

The 2010 season saw the Chargers see their first home blackouts since 2004, and was also the first season since 2000 that future Hall of Fame running back LaDainian Tomlinson was not on the roster.

Offseason

On February 22, 2010, LaDainian Tomlinson requested his release after nine seasons with the team, and went to the New York Jets.

2010 NFL Draft
Main article: 2010 NFL Draft

After finishing the season with the best record among teams exiting the playoffs in the divisional round, the Chargers picked 28th in the draft. They traded their sixth round pick in a trade that sent defensive tackle Travis Johnson to the Chargers.

2010 San Diego Chargers draft
Round Pick Player Position College Notes
1 12 Ryan Mathews *  RB Fresno State from Miami [R1 - 1]
3 79 Donald Butler  LB Washington from San Francisco [R3 - 1]
4 110 Darrell Stuckey *  S Kansas from Miami[R4 - 1]
5 146 Cam Thomas  DT North Carolina from Denver via Detroit, Cleveland and Philadelphia[R5 - 1]
5 168 Jonathan Crompton  QB Tennessee
7 235 Dedrick Epps  TE Miami (FL)
      Made roster    †   Pro Football Hall of Fame    *   Made at least one Pro Bowl during career

Draft notes
  1. "Draft trade tracker: Let's make a deal: Chargers move up 16 spots". National Football League. April 22, 2010. Archived from the original on April 25, 2010. Retrieved April 22, 2010.
  2. "Draft trade tracker: Let's make a deal: Safety insurance: The Butler did it: Chargers snag linebacker". National Football League. April 23, 2010. Archived from the original on April 25, 2010. Retrieved April 23, 2010.
  3. "Broncos make move to take a quarterback". National Football League. Archived from the original on June 4, 2011. Retrieved April 2, 2010.
  4. "Lions acquire DT Williams from Browns". ESPN. March 5, 2010. Archived from the original on March 10, 2010. Retrieved April 2, 2010.
  5. "Draft trade tracker: Let's make a deal: Chargers go after defensive tackle prospect". National Football League. April 24, 2010. Archived from the original on April 25, 2010. Retrieved April 24, 2010.
  1. #12: Miami → San Diego (D). Miami traded this selection, a fourth-round selection (110th overall; San Diego selected Darrell Stuckey), and a sixth-round selection it acquired from Kansas City (173rd overall; traded to San Francisco who selected Anthony Dixon) to San Diego for a first-round selection (28th overall; Miami selected Jared Odrick), a second-round selection it acquired from Seattle (40th overall; Miami selected Koa Misi), a fourth-round selection (126th overall; traded to Dallas who selected Akwasi Owusu-Ansah), and linebacker Tim Dobbins.[source 1]
  1. #79: San Francisco → San Diego (D). San Francisco traded this selection to San Diego for a third-round selection (91st overall; San Francisco selected NaVorro Bowman), a sixth-round selection it acquired from Miami (173rd overall; San Francisco selected Anthony Dixon), and a fourth-round selection.[source 2]
  1. #110: Miami → San Diego (D). See #12: Miami → San Diego above.
  1. #146: multiple trades:
    #146: Denver → Detroit (PD). Denver traded this selection and a 2009 seventh-round selection (235th overall; Detroit selected Zack Follett) to Detroit for a 2009 sixth-round selection (174th overall; Denver selected Tom Brandstater).[source 3]
    #146: Detroit → Cleveland (PD). Detroit traded this selection it acquired from Denver to Cleveland for defensive lineman Corey Williams and a seventh-round selection (214th overall; traded to Minnesota, who selected Mickey Shuler, Jr.).[source 4]
    #146: Cleveland → Philadelphia (D). See #59: Philadelphia → Cleveland above.
    #146: Philadelphia → San Diego (D). Philadelphia traded this selection it acquired from Cleveland to San Diego for a fifth-round selection (159th overall; Philadelphia selected Riley Cooper) and a 2011 fifth-round selection.[source 5]

Coaching staff
San Diego Chargers 2010 staff
Front Office
  • Owner – Alex Spanos
  • President/CEO – Dean Spanos
  • Executive Vice President – Michael Spanos
  • Executive Vice President/Executive Officer – A. G. Spanos
  • Executive Vice President/General Manager – A. J. Smith
  • Executive Vice President of Football Operations/Assistant General Manager – Ed McGuire
  • Senior Executive – Randy Mueller
  • Director of Player Personnel – Jimmy Raye
  • Director of Pro Scouting – Dennis Abraham
  • Director of College Scouting – John Spanos
  • Assistant Director of College Scouting – Mike Biehl

Head Coaches

Offensive Coaches

  

Defensive Coaches

Special Teams Coaches

Strength and Conditioning

  • Strength and Conditioning – Jeff Hurd
  • Assistant Strength and Conditioning – Vernon Stephens

Final roster
2010 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, 12 inactive, 8 practice squad

Schedule

Preseason
Week Date Opponent Result Record Game site NFL.com
recap
1 August 14Chicago BearsW 25–101–0Qualcomm StadiumRecap
2 August 21Dallas CowboysL 14–161–1Qualcomm StadiumRecap
3 August 27at New Orleans SaintsL 21–361–2Louisiana SuperdomeRecap
4 September 2at San Francisco 49ersL 14–171–3Candlestick ParkRecap

Regular season
Week Date Opponent Result Record Game site NFL.com
recap
1 September 13at Kansas City ChiefsL 14–210–1Arrowhead StadiumRecap
2 September 19Jacksonville JaguarsW 38–131–1Qualcomm StadiumRecap
3 September 26at Seattle SeahawksL 20–271–2Qwest FieldRecap
4 October 3Arizona CardinalsW 41–102–2Qualcomm StadiumRecap
5 October 10at Oakland RaidersL 27–352–3Oakland–Alameda County ColiseumRecap
6 October 17at St. Louis RamsL 17–202–4Edward Jones DomeRecap
7 October 24New England PatriotsL 20–232–5Qualcomm StadiumRecap
8 October 31Tennessee TitansW 33–253–5Qualcomm StadiumRecap
9 November 7at Houston TexansW 29–234–5Reliant StadiumRecap
10 Bye
11 November 22Denver BroncosW 35–145–5Qualcomm StadiumRecap
12 November 28at Indianapolis ColtsW 36–146–5Lucas Oil StadiumRecap
13 December 5Oakland RaidersL 13–286–6Qualcomm StadiumRecap
14 December 12Kansas City ChiefsW 31–07–6Qualcomm StadiumRecap
15 December 16San Francisco 49ersW 34–78–6Qualcomm StadiumRecap
16 December 26at Cincinnati BengalsL 20–348–7Paul Brown StadiumRecap
17 January 2at Denver BroncosW 33–289–7Invesco Field at Mile HighRecap

Standings
AFC West
W L T PCT DIV CONF PF PA STK
(4) Kansas City Chiefs 10 6 0 .625 2–4 6–6 366 326 L1
San Diego Chargers 9 7 0 .563 3–3 7–5 441 322 W1
Oakland Raiders 8 8 0 .500 6–0 6–6 410 371 W1
Denver Broncos 4 12 0 .250 1–5 3–9 344 471 L1

Regular season results

Week 1: at Kansas City Chiefs
Week 1: San Diego Chargers at Kansas City Chiefs – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Chargers 7 0 7014
Chiefs 7 14 0021

at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri

Game information

The Chargers began their season at Arrowhead Stadium for a division rivalry match against the Kansas City Chiefs. In the first quarter the Chargers took the early lead as QB Philip Rivers completed a 3-yard TD pass to TE Antonio Gates. The Chiefs replied when RB Jamaal Charles made a 56-yard TD run. In the 2nd quarter the Chargers fell behind when QB Matt Cassel completed a 2-yard TD pass to TE Tony Moeaki. This was followed by WR Dexter McCluster returning a punt 94 yards to the endzone for a touchdown. In the third quarter the Chargers cut the lead when QB Philip Rivers threw a 59-yard TD pass to WR Legedu Naanee. In the 4th quarter the Chiefs defense prevented any more scoring from the Chargers.

With the loss, San Diego began at 0–1.

Week 2: vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
Week 2: Jacksonville Jaguars at San Diego Chargers – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Jaguars 3 3 0713
Chargers 7 14 31438

at Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego, California

Game information

Hoping to rebound from their loss to the Chiefs, the Chargers played on home ground for and AFC duel with the Jaguars. In the 1st quarter, San Diego took the early lead as FB Mike Tolbert made a 2-yard TD run. The Jaguars replied with kicker Josh Scobee hitting a 44-yard field goal. The Chargers increased their lead as QB Philip Rivers completed a 9-yard TD pass to TE Antonio Gates. The Jaguars tried to cut the lead with Scobee nailing a 48-yard field goal. The Chargers continued to score with Rivers making a 4-yard TD pass to Gates; followed in the 3rd quarter by kicker Nate Kaeding getting a 41-yard field goal. In the 4th quarter the Chargers continued to dominate with FB Mike Tolbert getting a 1-yard TD run, followed by Rivers completing a 54-yard TD pass to WR Malcolm Floyd. The lead was slightly narrowed when QB David Garrard made a 3-yard TD pass to WR Mike Sims-Walker.

With the win, the Chargers improved to 1–1.

Week 3: at Seattle Seahawks
Week 3: San Diego Chargers at Seattle Seahawks – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Chargers 0 0 12820
Seahawks 0 10 71027

at Qwest Field, Seattle, Washington

Game information

Coming off their win over the Jaguars the Chargers flew to Qwest Field where they played their former division rival, the Seattle Seahawks. In the second quarter San Diego trailed early when kicker Olindo Mare made a 23-yard field goal. Then QB Matt Hasselbeck completed a 9-yard TD pass to TE John Carlson. This was followed in the third quarter by RB Leon Washington returning a kickoff 101 yards to the endzone for a touchdown. The Chargers cut the lead with QB Philip Rivers getting a 3-yard TD pass to WR Malcolm Floyd, followed by Hasselbeck getting sacked by ILB Brandon Siler in the endzone for a safety. Then kicker Nate Kaeding made a 29-yard field goal. The Seahawks increased their lead when Mare made a 23-yard field goal, but the Chargers replied and tied the game when Rivers found TE Antonio Gates on a 12-yard TD pass. (With a successful 2-point conversion as Rivers found WR Legedu Naanee). Before the clock struck zero Seattle took the winning score as RB Leon Washington returned his second kickoff of the game into the endzone running 99 yards for a touchdown, giving the Chargers the loss.

With the loss, San Diego fell to 1–2.

Week 4: vs. Arizona Cardinals
Week 4: Arizona Cardinals at San Diego Chargers – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Cardinals 0 7 0310
Chargers 7 21 10341

at Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego, California

Game information

Hoping to rebound from their loss to the Seahawks the Chargers played on home ground for an inter-conference duel with the Cardinals. In the 1st quarter the Chargers took the early lead as QB Philip Rivers completed a 33-yard TD pass to TE Antonio Gates, but had a problem maintaining this lead in the 2nd quarter when FS Kerry Rhodes recovered a fumble and ran 2 yards to the endzone for a touchdown. After that, the Chargers went on a scoring rally with FB Mike Tolbert making a 5-yard TD run, followed by Rivers making a 26-yard TD pass to TE Antonio Gates. Then OLB Shaun Phillips successfully caught an interception and ran 31 yards to the endzone for a touchdown. This was followed in the 3rd quarter by kicker Nate Kaeding making a 48-yard field goal. Then RB Ryan Mathews got a 15-yard TD run. This was followed in the 4th quarter by Kaeding nailing a 47-yard field goal. The Cardinals tried to cut the lead, but only came away with kicker Jay Feely's 53-yard field goal.

With the win, San Diego improved to 2–2.

Week 5: at Oakland Raiders
Week 5: San Diego Chargers at Oakland Raiders – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Chargers 0 17 7327
Raiders 12 3 71335

at Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum, Oakland, California

Game information

Coming off their win over the Cardinals the Chargers flew to Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum for an AFC West division rivalry match against the Raiders. In the first quarter the Chargers' offense had problems when after a three-and-out Mike Scifres' punt was blocked by RB Rock Cartwright out of bounds in the end zone for a safety. Then kicker Sebastian Janikowski made a 50-yard field goal. Then Scifres' punt was blocked again and returned by FS Hiram Eugene 5 yards to the endzone for a touchdown. The Chargers then fought back and took the lead with QB Philip Rivers completing a 19-yard TD pass to TE Antonio Gates. Then RB Mike Tolbert got a 4-yard TD run. Then the Chargers trailed with Janikowski making a 30-yard field goal. But they responded and got the lead back with kicker Nate Kaeding making a 43-yard field goal, followed in the third quarter by Rivers making a 41-yard TD pass to WR Malcolm Floyd. The Raiders replied with QB Jason Campbell completing a 1-yard TD pass to TE Zach Miller. Followed in the 4th quarter by Kaeding making a 34-yard field goal. The Chargers fell behind when RB Michael Bush got a 3-yard touchdown run (with a failed 2-point conversion), followed by SS Tyvon Branch recovering a fumble and running 64 yards to the endzone for a touchdown to give the Chargers a loss, for the first time against the Raiders since 2003.

With the loss, San Diego fell to 2–3 for the 4th straight season.

Week 6: at St. Louis Rams
Week 6: San Diego Chargers at St. Louis Rams – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Chargers 0 3 7717
Rams 10 7 0320

at Edward Jones Dome, St. Louis, Missouri

Game information

Hoping to rebound from their loss to the Raiders the Chargers flew to Edward Jones Dome for an Interconference duel with the Rams. In the first quarter San Diego trailed early as kicker Josh Brown made a 39-yard field goal, followed by QB Sam Bradford completing a 38-yard TD pass to WR Danario Alexander. The Chargers struggled further in the 2nd quarter when RB Steven Jackson got a 7-yard TD run. The Chargers replied with kicker Nate Kaeding nailing a 41-yard field goal, followed in the third quarter by FB Mike Tolbert getting a 1-yard TD run. In the 4th quarter the Rams' lead increased when Josh Brown hit a 48-yard field goal, but was cut when QB Philip Rivers made a 5-yard TD pass to WR Buster Davis.

With the loss, San Diego fell to 2–4 and surpassed their 2009 loss total.

Week 7: vs. New England Patriots
Week 7: New England Patriots at San Diego Chargers – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Patriots 7 6 7323
Chargers 3 0 01720

at Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego, California

Game information

Hoping to break their current losing streak the Chargers played on home ground for an AFC duel with the Patriots. In the 1st quarter the Chargers took the lead as kicker Kris Brown made a 32-yard field goal, but they fell behind with QB Tom Brady making a 1-yard TD pass to TE Rob Gronkowski; followed in the second quarter by kicker Stephen Gostkowski getting a 40 and a 35-yard field goal. In the third quarter the Chargers continued to struggle with RB BenJarvus Green-Ellis getting a 1-yard TD run. In the fourth quarter the Chargers replied with Brown making a 28-yard field goal, but the Patriots continued to score with a 35-yard field goal from Gostkowski. The Chargers tried to cut the lead with QB Philip Rivers making a 4-yard TD pass to TE Antonio Gates, and with FB Mike Tolbert making a 1-yard TD run, but the Chargers got called for false start which turned a 45yd FG into a 50yd, and Kris Brown missed on the final play.

With the loss, San Diego fell to 2–5.

Week 8: vs. Tennessee Titans
Week 8: Tennessee Titans at San Diego Chargers – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Titans 5 14 0625
Chargers 7 7 10933

at Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego, California

Game information

Hoping to break their current losing streak the Chargers played on home ground for an AFC duel with the Titans. In the first quarter the Chargers trailed early when the Chargers' punt was blocked by Nick Schommer out of bounds for a safety. The Chargers replied with FB Mike Tolbert getting a 1-yard TD run. The Chargers fell behind with kicker Rob Bironas nailing a 21-yard field goal, followed in the second quarter by QB Vince Young completing a 1-yard TD pass to TE Craig Stevens. The Chargers struggled further with RB Chris Johnson getting a 29-yard TD run. The Chargers then went on a scoring rally with RB Ryan Mathews making a 7-yard TD run, followed in the third quarter by kicker Kris Brown making a 34-yard field goal. Then QB Philip Rivers completed a 48-yard TD pass to TE Antonio Gates, and then Brown made a 36-yard field goal. The lead was narrowed with Young finding WR Nate Washington on a 71-yard TD pass (with a failed 2-point conversion), but couldn't do anything after Rivers got a 13-yard TD pass to RB Darren Sproles (PAT aborted).

With the win, the Chargers improve to 3–5.

Week 9: at Houston Texans
Week 9: San Diego Chargers at Houston Texans – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Chargers 14 0 7829
Texans 10 10 3023

at Reliant Stadium, Houston, Texas

  • Date: November 7
  • Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST/10:00 a.m. PST
  • Game weather: 63°F (Sunny)
  • Game attendance: 70,886
  • Referee: Mike Carey
  • TV announcers (CBS): Ian Eagle and Dan Fouts
  • Recap
Game information

Hoping to increase their winning streak the Chargers moved to Reliant Stadium for an AFC duel with the Texans. In the first quarter the Chargers trailed early as RB Arian Foster got an 8-yard TD run. They soon replied with QB Philip Rivers making a 55-yard TD pass to WR Seyi Ajirotutu. They trailed again with kicker Neil Rackers nailed a 27-yard field goal, but took the lead after Rivers got an 11-yard TD pass to TE Randy McMichael. They fell behind again in the second quarter as Foster made a 2-yard TD run, followed by Rackers hitting a 21 and a 25-yard field goal. The Chargers eventually pulled themselves in front again, with Rivers finding McMichael again on a 12-yard TD pass. This was followed in the 4th quarter by Rivers' 28-yard TD pass to Ajirotutu (With a successful 2-point conversion as FB Mike Tolbert ran to the endzone).

With the win, the Chargers went into their bye week at 4–5.

Week 11: Denver Broncos
Week 11: Denver Broncos at San Diego Chargers – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Broncos 7 0 0714
Chargers 7 14 7735

at Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego, California

Game information

Coming off their bye week, the Chargers went home for a Week 11 AFC West duel with the Denver Broncos on Monday night. San Diego trailed early in the first quarter as Broncos running back Knowshon Moreno got a 4-yard touchdown run. The Chargers answered with quarterback Philip Rivers finding wide receiver Malcolm Floyd on a 6-yard touchdown pass. San Diego took the lead in the second quarter with a 1-yard touchdown run from fullback Mike Tolbert, followed by Rivers finding wide receiver Patrick Crayton on a 40-yard touchdown pass.

The Chargers added onto their lead in the third quarter as Rivers connected with running back Darren Sproles on a 57-yard touchdown pass. San Diego continued its dominating night with Rivers' 3-yard touchdown pass to fullback Jacob Hester. Denver would close out the game with quarterback Kyle Orton completing a 13-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Brandon Lloyd.

With the win, the Chargers improved to 5–5.

Week 12: at Indianapolis Colts
Week 12: San Diego Chargers at Indianapolis Colts – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Chargers 10 6 101036
Colts 7 7 0014

at Lucas Oil Stadium; Indianapolis, Indiana

Game information

The Chargers' eleventh game was an AFC duel against the Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium. They trailed early in the first quarter after QB Peyton Manning made a 4-yard TD pass to TE Jacob Tamme. They eventually pulled ahead after kicker Nate Kaeding made a 28-yard field goal, followed by ILB Kevin Burnett returning an interception 29 yards for a touchdown, and then with Kaeding hitting a 33 and a 50-yard field goal. Their lead was narrowed when Manning made a 6-yard TD pass to WR Blair White, but the Chargers controlled the second half with Kaeding getting a 30-yard field goal, which was shortly followed by FS Eric Weddle returning an interception 41 yards for a touchdown, then with FB Mike Tolbert getting a 3-yard TD run, and Kaeding making a 20-yard field goal, settling both teams records to 6–5.

Week 13: vs. Oakland Raiders
Week 13: Oakland Raiders at San Diego Chargers – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Raiders 14 7 0728
Chargers 0 3 3713

at Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego, California

Game information

Coming off their win over the Colts the Chargers played on home ground for a rematch against the Raiders. The Chargers trailed early as QB Jason Campbell scrambled 9 yards for a touchdown, followed by his 4-yard TD pass to WR Jacoby Ford. They replied in the second quarter as kicker Nate Kaeding nailed a 39-yard field goal, but trailed further with RB Michael Bush getting a 7-yard TD run. The Chargers cut the lead with Kaeding hitting a 33-yard field goal, followed by QB Philip Rivers completing a 4-yard TD pass to TE Antonio Gates. The Raiders would finish off with Darren McFadden making a 7-yard TD run.

With the loss, San Diego fell to 6–6 and were swept by the Raiders for the first time since 2001.

Week 14: vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Week 14: Kansas City Chiefs at San Diego Chargers – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Chiefs 0 0 000
Chargers 7 14 01031

at Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego, California

Game information

Hoping to rebound from their loss to the Raiders the Chargers played on home ground for an AFC West rivalry rematch against the Chiefs. The Chargers took control of the game with QB Philip Rivers throwing a 17-yard TD pass to WR Malcolm Floyd, followed by FB Mike Tolbert getting an 8-yard TD run. The lead was increased with Rivers finding Floyd again on a 9-yard TD pass. This was followed in the fourth quarter by kicker Nate Kaeding nailing a 48-yard field goal, and then by RB Ryan Mathews getting a 15-yard TD run.

With the shutout win over Kansas City, San Diego improved to 7–6.

Week 15: vs. San Francisco 49ers
Week 15: San Francisco 49ers at San Diego Chargers – Game summary
1 2 34Total
49ers 0 0 077
Chargers 7 10 71034

at Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego, California

Game information

The Chargers' fourteenth game was an interconference duel with the 49ers which was played on Thursday Night. The Chargers took a quick lead with QB Philip Rivers throwing a 58-yard TD pass to WR Vincent Jackson. The lead was extended in the second quarter by kicker Nate Kaeding nailing a 25-yard field goal, followed by Rivers finding Jackson on an 11-yard touchdown pass. The Chargers continued to dominate with FB Mike Tolbert getting a 1-yard TD run, followed by Rivers connecting to Jackson on a 48-yard TD pass, then with Kaeding hitting a 39-yard field goal. The 49ers made their only score of the game with RB Brian Westbrook getting a 1-yard TD run.

This game was also a blowout and San Diego improved to 8–6.

Week 16: at Cincinnati Bengals
Week 16: San Diego Chargers at Cincinnati Bengals – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Chargers 0 3 71020
Bengals 7 6 02134

at Paul Brown Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio

Game information

Hoping to make it three straight the Chargers flew to Paul Brown Stadium for an AFC duel with the Bengals. In the first quarter the Chargers trailed early with QB Carson Palmer throwing a 3-yard TD pass to TE Jermaine Gresham. Then Palmer found WR Jerome Simpson on a 10-yard TD pass (PAT failed, wide left). The Chargers got on the board with kicker Nate Kaeding hitting a 20-yard field goal, followed by RB Ryan Mathews getting a 23-yard TD run, but went into more trouble as Palmer completed a 3-yard TD pass to WR Jordan Shipley. The Chargers cut the lead with Kaeding making a 28-yard field goal, but struggled to hold on after Palmer connected to Simpson on a 59-yard TD pass, followed by RB Bernard Scott getting a 10-yard TD run. The Chargers tried to come back after QB Philip Rivers made a 5-yard TD pass to WR Kelley Washington, but the Bengals defense prevented any more scoring chances.

With the loss, the Chargers fell to 8–7. With Kansas City winning earlier in the day, the loss prevented the Chargers from making their sixth playoff appearance in seven years.

Week 17: at Denver Broncos
Week 17: San Diego Chargers at Denver Broncos – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Chargers 0 16 10733
Broncos 7 0 71428

at INVESCO Field at Mile High, Denver, Colorado

Game information

The Chargers' final game was a division rivalry rematch against the Broncos. In the first quarter the Chargers trailed early as QB Tim Tebow threw a 14-yard TD pass to WR Brandon Lloyd. They eventually overcame this deficit with RB Ryan Mathews getting a 27-yard TD run, followed by kicker Nate Kaeding nailing a 42, 45 and 47-yard field goal to put the Chargers up 16–7. They extended their lead in the third quarter with Mathews getting a 12-yard TD run, followed by Kaeding hitting a 37-yard field goal. The lead was narrowed with QB Tim Tebow completing a 6-yard TD pass to WR Eric Decker, but the Chargers increased their lead with Mathews getting a 31-yard TD run. The lead was narrowed further with Cassius Vaughn returning the kickoff 97 yards for a touchdown, followed by Tebow scrambling 6 yards for a touchdown, but the Chargers still managed to hold on for the win. The Chargers finished the 2010–11 NFL season as the only team ever to rank first in overall offense (396 yds/g) and overall defense (272 yds/g), in terms of total yards gained and allowed, and not make the playoffs the same year. Since 1970 the previous four NFL teams to accomplish that statistical feat all qualified for the post-season in those respective years.

With the win against the Broncos, San Diego finished with a 9–7 record.

Notes and references
  1. Judge, Clark (August 20, 2011). "Another slow start for Chargers? After lockout, maybe not". CBSSports.com. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on September 13, 2011.
  2. Acee, Kevin (August 1, 2011). "Bolts kick teams get new name". The San Diego Union-Tribune. Archived from the original on September 13, 2011.
  3. Final 2010 DVOA Ratings
  4. "One of the all-time greatest NFL teams didn't even make the playoffs". YouTube. SB Nation. August 22, 2019. Retrieved November 24, 2019.
  5. Trotter, Jim (August 31, 2011). "2011 Division Preview: AFC West". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved February 29, 2020.
  6. Acee, Kevin (December 19, 2010). "Sunday no help to Chargers' playoff hopes". San Diego Union Tribune. Retrieved February 29, 2020.
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