1970 San Diego Chargers season NFL team season
The 1970 San Diego Chargers season was the franchise's eleventh overall season and first season in the National Football League (NFL). As a result of the NFL-AFL Merger, where the league was broken into two conferences, each member of the American Football League was moved into the American Football Conference .
San Diego's 5–6–3 record was the first of seven consecutive losing seasons for the franchise. The 1970 Chargers are the last NFL team to record three ties in a single season, a record which will likely stand, as since the NFL adopted overtime for regular season games in 1974 no team has recorded more than one tie in a season.
Offseason
NFL draft
Undrafted free agents
Roster
Regular season
Schedule
Week
Date
Opponent
Result
Record
Venue
Attendance
Recap
1
September 20
Baltimore Colts
L 14–16
0–1
San Diego Stadium
47,782
Recap
2
September 27
Oakland Raiders
T 27–27
0–1–1
San Diego Stadium
42,109
Recap
3
October 4
at Los Angeles Rams
L 10–37
0–2–1
Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
69,564
Recap
4
Green Bay Packers
L 20–22
0–3–1
San Diego Stadium
53,064
Recap
5
October 18
at Chicago Bears
W 20–7
1–3–1
Wrigley Field
45,278
Recap
6
October 25
Houston Oilers
T 31–31
1–3–2
San Diego Stadium
41,427
Recap
7
November 1
at Cleveland Browns
W 27–10
2–3–2
Cleveland Municipal Stadium
80,047
Recap
8
November 8
Denver Broncos
W 24–21
3–3–2
San Diego Stadium
48,327
Recap
9
November 15
at Boston Patriots
W 16–14
4–3–2
Harvard Stadium
30,597
Recap
10
November 22
at Oakland Raiders
L 17–20
4–4–2
Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum
54,594
Recap
11
November 29
at Kansas City Chiefs
L 14–26
4–5–2
Municipal Stadium
50,315
Recap
12
December 6
Cincinnati Bengals
L 14–17
4–6–2
San Diego Stadium
41,461
Recap
13
December 13
at Denver Broncos
T 17–17
4–6–3
Mile High Stadium
50,959
Recap
14
December 20
Kansas City Chiefs
W 31–13
5–6–3
San Diego Stadium
41,379
Recap
Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.
Game summaries
Week 1: vs. Baltimore Colts
Week One: Baltimore Colts at San Diego Chargers – Game summary
Quarter
1
2
3 4 Total
Colts
0
3
7 6 16
Chargers
0
0
7 7 14
at San Diego Stadium , San Diego, California
Date : September 20Game time : 1:00 p.m. PDT Game weather : 66 °F (18.9 °C), relative humidity 70%, wind 8 mphGame attendance : 47,782Box score
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
BAL – Jim O'Brien 34-yard field goal. Colts 13–7.
SDG – Gary Garrison 43-yard pass from John Hadl (Mike Mercer kick). Chargers 14–13.
BAL – Jim O'Brien 28-yard field goal. Colts 16–14.
Top passers
BAL – Johnny Unitas – 15/31, 202 yards, INT
SDG – John Hadl – 17/36, 255 yards, 2 TD
Top rushers
BAL – Tom Matte – 12 rushes, 43 yards BAL – Norm Bulaich – 10 rushes, 43 yards, TD
SDG – Gene Foster – 12 rushes, 31 yards
Top receivers
BAL – Roy Jefferson – 5 receptions, 84 yards
SDG – Gary Garrison – 3 receptions, 122 yards, 2 TD
Week 2: vs. Oakland Raiders
Week Two: Oakland Raiders at San Diego Chargers – Game summary
Quarter
1
2
3 4 Total
Raiders
3
17
0 7 27
Chargers
3
7
3 14 27
at San Diego Stadium , San Diego, California
Date : September 27Game time : 1:00 p.m. PDT Game weather : 81 °F (27.2 °C), relative humidity 17%, wind 9 mphGame attendance : 42,109Referee : Ben Dreith Box score
Game information
First quarter
SDG – Mike Mercer 48-yard field goal, 6:58. Chargers 3–0. Drive: 4 plays, 8 yards, 1:32.
OAK – George Blanda 28-yard field goal, 0:19. Tied 3–3. Drive: 4 plays, 4 yards, 0:54.
Second quarter
SDG – Gary Garrison 2-yard pass from John Hadl (Mike Mercer kick), 10:21. Chargers 10–3. Drive: 9 plays, 80 yards, 4:58.
OAK – Pete Banaszak 1-yard run (George Blanda kick), 4:26. Tied 10–10. Drive: 6 plays, 71 yards, 5:55.
OAK – Fred Biletnikoff 23-yard pass from Daryle Lamonica (George Blanda kick), 2:21. Raiders 17–10. Drive: 2 plays, 26 yards, 0:50.
OAK – George Blanda 13-yard field goal, 0:04. Raiders 20–10. Drive: 8 plays, 76 yards, 0:46.
Third quarter
SDG – Mike Mercer 39-yard field goal, 5:15. Raiders 20–13. Drive: 6 plays, 38 yards, 2:28.
Fourth quarter
OAK – Pete Banaszak 1-yard run (George Blanda kick), 6:36. Raiders 27–13. Drive: 9 plays, 65 yards, 4:17.
SDG – Jeff Queen 65-yard pass from John Hadl (Mike Mercer kick), 5:18. Raiders 27–20. Drive: 3 plays, 91 yards, 1:36.
SDG – Lance Alworth 37-yard pass from John Hadl (Mike Mercer kick), 2:02. Tied 27–27. Drive: 1 play, 53 yards, 0:19.
Top passers
OAK – Daryle Lamonica – 23/38, 267 yards, TD
SDG – John Hadl – 10/25, 242 yards, 3 TD, 2 INT
Top rushers
Top receivers
OAK – Warren Wells – 7 receptions, 127 yards
SDG – Jeff Queen – 1 reception, 65 yards, TD
Week 3: at Los Angeles Rams
Week Three: San Diego Chargers at Los Angeles Rams – Game summary
Quarter
1
2
3 4 Total
Chargers
0
3
7 0 10
Rams
10
20
0 7 37
at Memorial Coliseum , Los Angeles, California
Date : October 4Game time : 1:00 p.m. PDT Game weather : 68 °F (20.0 °C), relative humidity 79%, wind 11 mphGame attendance : 69,564Box score
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
RAM – Les Josephson 12-yard run (David Ray kick). Rams 17–0.
RAM – Pat Curran recovered blocked punt in end zone (David Ray kick). Rams 24–0.
SDG – Mike Mercer 30-yard field goal. Rams 24–3.
RAM – David Ray 10-yard field goal. Rams 27–3.
RAM – David Ray 38-yard field goal. Rams 30–3.
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
RAM – Jack Snow 20-yard pass from Karl Sweetan (David Ray kick). Rams 37–10.
Top passers
SDG – Marty Domres – 8/11, 99 yards, TD
RAM – Roman Gabriel – 8/12, 104 yards, TD
Top rushers
SDG – Russ Smith – 17 rushes, 36 yards
RAM – Les Josephson – 14 rushes, 71 yards, TD
Top receivers
SDG – Willie Frazier – 5 receptions, 63 yards, TD
RAM – Jack Snow – 5 receptions, 69 yards, 2 TD
Week 4: vs. Green Bay Packers
Week Four: Green Bay Packers at San Diego Chargers – Game summary
Quarter
1
2
3 4 Total
Packers
3
3
13 3 22
Chargers
0
6
0 14 20
at San Diego Stadium , San Diego, California
Date : October 12Game time : 6:00 p.m. PDT Game weather : 68 °F (20.0 °C), relative humidity 72%, wind 8 mphGame attendance : 53,064Box score
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
GB – Dale Livingston 27-yard field goal. Packers 6–0.
SDG – Mike Mercer 16-yard field goal. Packers 6–3.
SDG – Mike Mercer 39-yard field goal. Tied 6–6.
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
SDG – Willie Frazier 24-yard run (Mike Mercer kick). Packers 19–13.
SDG – Jeff Queen 1-yard run (Mike Mercer kick). Chargers 20–19.
GB – Dale Livingston 14-yard field goal. Packers 22–20.
Top passers
GB – Bart Starr – 16/20, 158 yards, 2 TD
SDG – John Hadl – 6/19, 53 yards, 3 INT
Top rushers
GB – Travis Williams – 21 rushes, 109 yards
SDG – Willie Frazier – 2 rushes, 94 yards, TD
Top receivers
Week 5: at Chicago Bears
Week Five: San Diego Chargers at Chicago Bears – Game summary
Quarter
1
2
3 4 Total
Chargers
0
7
13 0 20
Bears
0
7
0 0 7
at Wrigley Field , Chicago, Illinois
Date : October 18Game time : 1:00 p.m. CDT Game weather : 50 °F (10.0 °C), relative humidity 55%, wind 10 mphGame attendance : 45,278Box score
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
SDG – Gary Garrison 33-yard pass from John Hadl (kick failed). Chargers 20–7.
Top passers
SDG – John Hadl – 10/14, 166 yards, 2 TD
CHI – Jack Concannon – 17/34, 117 yards, TD, INT
Top rushers
Top receivers
SDG – Gary Garrison – 8 receptions, 165 yards, 2 TD
CHI – Dick Gordon – 5 receptions, 41 yards, TD
Week 6: vs. Houston Oilers
Week Six: Houston Oilers at San Diego Chargers – Game summary
Quarter
1
2
3 4 Total
Oilers
0
17
14 0 31
Chargers
0
14
7 10 31
at San Diego Stadium , San Diego, California
Date : October 25Game time : 1:00 p.m. PST Game weather : 63 °F (17.2 °C), relative humidity 67%, wind 10 mphGame attendance : 41,427Box score
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
HOU – Alvin Reed 17-yard pass from Jerry Rhome (Roy Gerela kick). Oilers 24–14.
HOU – Charlie Joiner 10-yard pass from Jerry Rhome (Roy Gerela kick). Oilers 31–14.
SDG – Russ Smith 3-yard run (Mike Mercer kick). Oilers 31–21.
Fourth quarter
SDG – Mike Mercer 45-yard field goal. Oilers 31–24.
SDG – Lance Alworth 80-yard pass from Marty Domres (Mike Mercer kick). Tied 31–31.
Top passers
HOU – Jerry Rhome – 21/36, 266 yards, 2 TD
SDG – Marty Domres – 4/7, 141 yards, TD, INT
Top rushers
HOU – Joe Dawkins – 25 rushes, 90 yards
SDG – Russ Smith – 10 rushes, 24 yards, 2 TD
Top receivers
HOU – Charlie Joiner – 5 receptions, 100 yards, TD
SDG – Lance Alworth – 2 receptions, 124 yards, TD
Week 7: at Cleveland Browns
Week Seven: San Diego Chargers at Cleveland Browns – Game summary
Quarter
1
2
3 4 Total
Chargers
0
14
7 6 27
Broncos
3
7
0 0 10
at Municipal Stadium , Cleveland, Ohio
Date : November 1Game time : 1:00 p.m. EST Game weather : 48 °F (8.9 °C), relative humidity 83%, wind 6 mphGame attendance : 80,047Referee : Walt Fitzgerald Box score
Game information
First quarter
CLE – Don Cockroft 11-yard field goal, 5:44. Browns 3–0. Drive: 14 plays, 63 yards, 7:04.
Second quarter
Third quarter
SDG – Brad Hubbert 1-yard run (Mike Mercer kick), 9:47. Chargers 21–10. Drive: 5 plays, 45 yards, 2:53.
Fourth quarter
SDG – Mike Mercer 37-yard field goal, 10:06. Chargers 24–10. Drive: 16 plays, 50 yards, 7:30.
SDG – Mike Mercer 12-yard field goal, 2:17. Chargers 27–10. Drive: 14 plays, 76 yards, 7:15.
Top passers
SDG – John Hadl – 13/21, 206 yards, TD
CLE – Bill Nelsen – 11/23, 144 yards, TD, INT
Top rushers
SDG – Brad Hubbert – 16 rushes, 61 yards, TD
CLE – Bo Scott – 13 rushes, 83 yards
Top receivers
Week 8: vs. Denver Broncos
Week Eight: Denver Broncos at San Diego Chargers – Game summary
Quarter
1
2
3 4 Total
Broncos
0
7
7 7 21
Chargers
3
14
0 7 24
at San Diego Stadium , San Diego, California
Date : November 8Game time : 1:00 p.m. PST Game weather : 61 °F (16.1 °C), relative humidity 69%, wind 9 mphGame attendance : 48,327Referee : Fred Silva Box score
Game information
First quarter
SDG – Mike Mercer 38-yard field goal, 5:01. Chargers 3–0. Drive: 4 plays, 1 yard, 1:05.
Second quarter
Third quarter
DEN – Willis Crenshaw 3-yard run (Bobby Howfield kick), 7:40. Chargers 17–14. Drive: 6 plays, 51 yards, 3:31.
Fourth quarter
SDG – Gary Garrison 40-yard pass from John Hadl (Mike Mercer kick), 5:22. Chargers 24–14. Drive: 7 plays, 80 yards, 3:39.
DEN – Bobby Anderson 2-yard run (Bobby Howfield kick), 1:47. Chargers 24–21. Drive: 9 plays, 76 yards, 3:35.
Top passers
DEN – Steve Tensi – 14/22, 170 yards, TD, INT
SDG – John Hadl – 14/21, 185 yards, 3 TD
Top rushers
Top receivers
DEN – Al Denson – 4 receptions, 63 yards
SDG – Gary Garrison – 2 receptions, 71 yards, 2 TD
Week 9: at Boston Patriots
Week Nine: San Diego Chargers at Boston Patriots – Game summary
Quarter
1
2
3 4 Total
Chargers
0
0
7 9 16
Patriots
7
0
0 7 14
at Harvard Stadium , Boston, Massachusetts
Date : November 15Game time : 1:00 p.m. EST Game weather : 44 °F (6.7 °C), relative humidity 97%, wind 17 mphGame attendance : 30,597Referee : Ben DreithBox score
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
SDG – Safety , Joe Owens sacked Joe Kapp in end zone, 13:42. Chargers 9–7.
SDG – Gary Garrison 60-yard pass from John Hadl (Mike Mercer kick), 6:45. Chargers 16–7. Drive: 3 plays, 61 yards, 0:59.
NE – Bake Turner 14-yard pass from Joe Kapp (Charlie Gogolak kick), 0:56. Chargers 16–14. Drive: 7 plays, 67 yards, 1:29.
Top passers
SDG – John Hadl – 16/36, 238 yards, 2 TD
NE – Joe Kapp – 9/17, 110 yards, TD
Top rushers
Top receivers
SDG – Gary Garrison – 3 receptions, 98 yards, TD
NE – Bake Turner – 2 receptions, 29 yards, TD
Week 10: at Oakland Raiders
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
SDG – Gary Garrison 15-yard pass from John Hadl (Mike Mercer kick), 9:11. Chargers 14–7. Drive: 7 plays, 57 yards, 4:11.
OAK – Charlie Smith 1-yard run (George Blanda kick), 5:50. Tied 14–14. Drive: 6 plays, 76 yards, 3:21.
Fourth quarter
OAK – George Blanda 18-yard field goal, 14:58. Raiders 17–14. Drive: 6 plays, 45 yards, 1:38.
SDG – Mike Mercer 11-yard field goal, 4:46. Tied 17–17. Drive: 13 plays, 56 yards, 4:58.
OAK – George Blanda 16-yard field goal, 0:04. Raiders 20–17. Drive: 10 plays, 64 yards, 4:42.
Top passers
SDG – John Hadl – 12/27, 187 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT
OAK – Daryle Lamonica – 14/23, 213 yards
Top rushers
SDG – Dickie Post – 15 rushes, 64 yards
OAK – Charlie Smith – 15 rushes, 84 yards, 2 TD
Top receivers
SDG – Gary Garrison – 6 receptions, 114 yards, 2 TD
OAK – Fred Biletnikoff – 6 receptions, 115 yards
Week 11: at Kansas City Chiefs
Week Eleven: San Diego Chargers at Kansas City Chiefs – Game summary
Quarter
1
2
3 4 Total
Chargers
7
0
0 7 14
Chiefs
10
3
7 6 26
at Municipal Stadium , Kansas City, Missouri
Date : November 29Game time : 3:00 p.m. CST Game weather : 48 °F (8.9 °C), relative humidity 89%, wind 7 mphGame attendance : 50,315Referee : Jim Tunney Box score
Game information
First quarter
KAN – Morris Stroud 50-yard pass from Len Dawson (Jan Stenerud kick), 12:40. Chiefs 7–0. Drive: 4 plays, 80 yards, 2:20.
SDG – Dickie Post 1-yard run (Mike Mercer kick), 4:33. Tied 7–7. Drive: 7 plays, 41 yards, 3:59.
KAN – Jan Stenerud 43-yard field goal, 0:09. Chiefs 10–7. Drive: 8 plays, 45 yards, 4:24.
Second quarter
KAN – Jan Stenerud 39-yard field goal, 0:16. Chiefs 13–7. Drive: 9 plays, 34 yards, 4:23.
Third quarter
KAN – Wendell Hayes 1-yard run (Jan Stenerud kick), 10:35. Chiefs 20–7. Drive: 6 plays, 31 yards, 3:35.
Fourth quarter
KAN – Jan Stenerud 17-yard field goal, 11:49. Chiefs 23–7. Drive: 16 plays, 87 yards, 8:19.
SDG – Gary Garrison 28-yard pass from John Hadl (Mike Mercer kick), 8:07. Chiefs 23–14. Drive: 2 plays, 30 yards, 0:59.
KAN – Jan Stenerud 26-yard field goal, 4:32. Chiefs 26–14. Drive: 4 plays, 0 yards, 1:16.
Top passers
SDG – John Hadl – 15/26, 155 yards, TD, 2 INT
KAN – Len Dawson – 17/24, 208 yards, TD, INT
Top rushers
SDG – Dickie Post – 7 rushes, 13 yards, TD
KAN – Ed Podolak – 19 rushes, 52 yards
Top receivers
SDG – Dickie Post – 6 receptions, 53 yards
KAN – Morris Stroud – 1 reception, 50 yards, TD
Week 12: vs. Cincinnati Bengals
Week Twelve: Cincinnati Bengals at San Diego Chargers – Game summary
Quarter
1
2
3 4 Total
Bengals
0
10
7 0 17
Chargers
0
7
0 7 14
at San Diego Stadium , San Diego, California
Date : December 6Game time : 1:00 p.m. PST Game weather : 61 °F (16.1 °C), relative humidity 54%, wind 6 mphGame attendance : 41,461Box score
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
CIN – Jess Phillips 13-yard rush (Horst Muhlmann kick). Bengals 17–7.
Fourth quarter
SDG – Willie Frazier 2-yard pass from John Hadl (Mike Mercer kick). Bengals 17–14.
Top passers
CIN – Virgil Carter – 7/18, 19 yards, INT
SDG – John Hadl – 14/27, 156 yards, TD, INT
Top rushers
CIN – Jess Phillips – 15 rushes, 55 yards, TD
SDG – Dickie Post – 12 rushes, 46 yards
Top receivers
Week 13: at Denver Broncos
Week Thirteen: San Diego Chargers at Denver Broncos – Game summary
Quarter
1
2
3 4 Total
Chargers
7
10
0 0 17
Broncos
0
0
3 14 17
at Mile High Stadium , Denver, Colorado
Date : December 13Game time : 2:00 p.m. MST Game weather : 23 °F (−5.0 °C), relative humidity 71%, wind 6 mph, wind chill 16Game attendance : 50,959Referee : John McDonough Box score
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
SDG – Mike Mercer 42-yard field goal, 8:28. Chargers 10–0. Drive: 7 plays, 26 yards, 3:42.
SDG – Willie Frazier offensive fumble recovery in end zone (Mike Mercer kick), 0:36. Chargers 17–0. Drive: 11 plays, 36 yards.
Third quarter
DEN – Bobby Howfield 53-yard field goal, 12:23. Chargers 17–3. Drive: 6 plays, 32 yards, 2:37.
Fourth quarter
DEN – Clem Turner 1-yard run (Bobby Howfield kick), 5:25. Chargers 17–10. Drive: 11 plays, 61 yards, 5:37.
DEN – Willis Crenshaw 1-yard run (Bobby Howfield kick), 1:57. Tied 17–17. Drive: 8 plays, 34 yards, 1:32.
Top passers
SDG – John Hadl – 8/19, 144 yards, TD
DEN – Pete Liske – 6/17, 95 yards, 2 INT
Top rushers
Top receivers
SDG – Gary Garrison – 2 receptions, 81 yards, TD
DEN – Al Denson – 5 receptions, 55 yards
Week 14: vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Week Fourteen: Kansas City Chiefs at San Diego Chargers – Game summary
Quarter
1
2
3 4 Total
Chiefs
0
10
3 0 13
Chargers
3
14
7 7 31
at San Diego Stadium , San Diego, California
Date : December 20Game time : 1:00 p.m. PST Game weather : 54 °F (12.2 °C), relative humidity 69%, wind 10 mphGame attendance : 41,379Referee : Norm Schachter Box score
Game information
First quarter
SDG – Mike Mercer 27-yard field goal, 5:49. Chargers 3–0. Drive: 9 plays, 63 yards, 3:09.
Second quarter
SDG – Willie Frazier 5-yard pass from John Hadl (Mike Mercer kick), 13:22. Chargers 10–0. Drive: 2 plays, 5 yards, 0:43.
KAN – Gloster Richardson 61-yard pass from Len Dawson (Jan Stenerud kick), 8:40. Chargers 10–7. Drive: 7 plays, 68 yards, 4:42.
SDG – Mike Garrett 5-yard run (Mike Mercer kick), 1:10. Chargers 17–7. Drive: 8 plays, 95 yards, 2:45.
KAN – Jan Stenerud 37-yard field goal, 0:13. Chargers 17–10. Drive: 6 plays, 37 yards, 0:57.
Third quarter
KAN – Jan Stenerud 10-yard field goal, 6:43. Chargers 17–13. Drive: 12 plays, 68 yards, 8:17.
SDG – Willie Frazier 3-yard pass from John Hadl (Mike Mercer kick), 1:00. Chargers 24–13. Drive: 11 plays, 67 yards, 5:43.
Fourth quarter
SDG – Mike Garrett 44-yard pass from John Hadl (Mike Mercer kick), 8:22. Chargers 31–13. Drive: 10 plays, 78 yards, 5:10.
Top passers
KAN – Len Dawson – 14/21, 161 yards, TD
SDG – John Hadl – 16/27, 277 yards, 3 TD
Top rushers
KAN – Ed Podolak – 14 rushes, 56 yards
SDG – Mike Garrett – 10 rushes, 60 yards, TD
Top receivers
KAN – Gloster Richardson – 1 reception, 61 yards, TD
SDG – Gary Garrison – 5 receptions, 149 yards
Standings
Note: Tie games were not officially counted in the standings until 1972.
Awards and honors
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(July 2010 )
References
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