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1972 San Diego Chargers season

{{Short description|1972 NFL team season}}

{{One source|date=May 2023}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2013}}

{{Infobox NFL season

| team = San Diego Chargers

| year = 1972

| record = 4–9–1

| division_place = 4th AFC West

| coach = Harland Svare

| general manager = Harland Svare

| owner = Eugene V. Klein

| stadium = San Diego Stadium

| pro bowlers = {{Collapsible list

| title = 4

| 1 = WR Gary Garrison

| 2 = QB John Hadl

| 3 = DE Deacon Jones

| 4 = G Walt Sweeney

}}

| AP All-pros = None

| playoffs = Did not qualify

| shortnavlink = Chargers seasons

}}

The {{nfly|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.[https://www.nytimes.com/1972/09/19/archives/john-mackeys-week.html Anderson, Dave. "Sports of The Times: John Mackey's Week," The New York Times, Tuesday, September 19, 1972.] Retrieved October 22, 2020

Offseason

= NFL draft =

{{main|1972 NFL draft}}

{{NFL team draft start

| year = 1972

| teamname = San Diego Chargers

}}

{{NFL team draft entry

| round = 2

| pick = 36

| player = Pete Lazetich

| position = Defensive end

| college = Stanford

| notes =

| probowl = no

| maderoster = yes

}}

{{NFL team draft entry

| round = 3

| pick = 61

| player = Bill McClard

| position = Kicker

| college = Arkansas

| notes =

| probowl = no

| maderoster = yes

}}

{{NFL team draft entry

| round = 5

| pick = 116

| player = Jim Bishop

| position = Tight end

| college = Tennessee Tech

| notes =

| probowl = no

| maderoster = no

}}

{{NFL team draft entry

| round = 5

| pick = 130

| player = Harry Gooden

| position = Defensive end

| college = Alcorn State

| notes =

| probowl = no

| maderoster = no

}}

{{NFL team draft entry

| round = 6

| pick = 141

| player = Bruce Ward

| position = Guard

| college = San Diego State

| notes =

| probowl = no

| maderoster = no

}}

{{NFL team draft entry

| round = 9

| pick = 221

| player = Fran Schmitz

| position = Defensive tackle

| college = St. Norbert

| notes =

| probowl = no

| maderoster = no

}}

{{NFL team draft entry

| round = 10

| pick = 246

| player = Lon Kolstad

| position = Linebacker

| college = Wisconsin–Whitewater

| notes =

| probowl = no

| maderoster = no

}}

{{NFL team draft entry

| round = 11

| pick = 270

| player = John Turner

| position = Tight end

| college = Long Beach State

| notes =

| probowl = no

| maderoster = no

}}

{{NFL team draft entry

| round = 12

| pick = 295

| player = Sam Key

| position = Linebacker

| college = Elon

| notes =

| probowl = no

| maderoster = no

}}

{{NFL team draft entry

| round = 13

| pick = 321

| player = Andy Selfridge

| position = Linebacker

| college = Virginia

| notes =

| probowl = no

| maderoster = no

}}

{{NFL team draft entry

| round = 14

| pick = 351

| player = John Van Reenen

| position = Defensive end

| college = Washington State

| notes =

| probowl = no

| maderoster = no

}}

{{NFL team draft entry

| round = 15

| pick = 376

| player = Charles Neugent

| position = Defensive back

| college = Tuskegee

| notes =

| probowl = no

| maderoster = no

}}

{{NFL team draft entry

| round = 16

| pick = 401

| player = James Shaw

| position = Defensive back

| college = Tulsa

| notes =

| probowl = no

| maderoster = no

}}

{{NFL team draft entry

| round = 17

| pick = 423

| player = Oscar Dragon

| position = Running back

| college = Arizona State University

| notes =

| probowl = no

| maderoster = yes

}}

{{NFL team draft entry

| round = 17

| pick = 426

| player = Bob Tackett

| position = Tackle

| college = Texas at El Paso

| notes =

| probowl = no

| maderoster = no

}}

{{NFL team draft end

| hof = no

}}

Roster

{{NFL final roster

| year = 1972

| team = San Diego Chargers

| prefix =

| active =

| inactive =

| PS =

| quarterbacks =

{{NFLplayer|13|Wayne Clark|d=quarterback}}

{{NFLplayer|21|John Hadl}}

| running_backs =

{{NFLplayer|34|Oscar Dragon|rookie=y}}

{{NFLplayer|35|Cid Edwards|FB}}

{{NFLplayer|20|Mike Garrett}}

{{NFLplayer|42|Jesse Taylor|d=American football|rookie=y}}

{{NFLplayer|38|Lee White|d=American football}}

| wide_receivers =

{{NFLplayer|83|Mike Carter|d=American football}}

{{NFLplayer|28|Chuck Dicus}}

{{NFLplayer|27|Gary Garrison}}

{{NFLplayer|46|John Sykes|d=American football|rookie=y}}

{{NFLplayer|84|Dave Williams|d=wide receiver}}

| tight_ends =

{{NFLplayer|81|John Andrews|d=American football|rookie=y}}

{{NFLplayer|89|John Mackey|d=American football}}

{{NFLplayer|88|Pettis Norman}}

| offensive_linemen =

{{NFLplayer|55|Carl Mauck|C}}

{{NFLplayer|76|Terry Owens|d=American football|T}}

{{NFLplayer|78|Walt Sweeney|G}}

{{NFLplayer|70|Russ Washington|T}}

{{NFLplayer|54|Ralph Wenzel|d=guard|G}}

{{NFLplayer|63|Doug Wilkerson|G}}

{{NFLplayer|79|Ernie Wright|T}}

| defensive_linemen =

{{NFLplayer|87|Lionel Aldridge|DE}}

{{NFLplayer|64|Dave Costa|DT}}

{{NFLplayer|77|Ron East|DT}}

{{NFLplayer|80|Kevin Hardy|d=defensive tackle|DT}}

{{NFLplayer|75|Deacon Jones|DE}}

{{NFLplayer|68|Greg Wojcik|DT}}

| linebackers =

{{NFLplayer|60|Bob Babich|d=linebacker}}

{{NFLplayer|59|Pete Barnes}}

{{NFLplayer|50|Lee Roy Caffey}}

{{NFLplayer|66|Rick Redman}}

{{NFLplayer|82|Tim Rossovich}}

| defensive_backs =

{{NFLplayer|40|Joe Beauchamp|CB}}

{{NFLplayer|35|Chuck Detwiler}}

{{NFLplayer|39|Lenny Dunlap|CB}}

{{NFLplayer|44|Chris Fletcher|FS}}

{{NFLplayer|24|Bob Howard|d=American football|CB}}

{{NFLplayer|23|Ray Jones|d=American football}}

{{NFLplayer|30|Bryant Salter|SS}}

|Special Teams =

{{NFLplayer|10|Bill McClard|rookie=y|K}}

{{NFLplayer|29|Dennis Partee|P}}

|Reserve Lists =

{{NFLplayer|25|Jerry LeVias|WR|IR}}

{{NFLplayer|53|Mel Rogers|LB|IR}}

| practice_squad =

}}

Preseason

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|San Diego Chargers|year=1972|border=2}}"| Week

!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|San Diego Chargers|year=1972|border=2}}"| Date

!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|San Diego Chargers|year=1972|border=2}}"| Opponent

!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|San Diego Chargers|year=1972|border=2}}"| Result

!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|San Diego Chargers|year=1972|border=2}}"| Record

!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|San Diego Chargers|year=1972|border=2}}"| Venue

!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|San Diego Chargers|year=1972|border=2}}"| Attendance

style="background:#cfc"

! 1

| August 5

| Atlanta Falcons

| W 30–7

| 1–0

| San Diego Stadium

|

style="background:#fcc"

! 2

| August 12

| at Minnesota Vikings

| L 13–24

| 1–1

| Metropolitan Stadium

|

style="background:#cfc"

! 3

| August 19

| San Francisco 49ers

| W 17–16

| 2–1

| San Diego Stadium

|

style="background:#cfc"

! 4

| August 26

| at New Orleans Saints

| W 16–14

| 3–1

| Tulane Stadium

|

style="background:#cfc"

! 5

| September 2

| Los Angeles Rams

| W 14–13

| 4–1

| San Diego Stadium

|

style="background:#ffc"

! 6

| September 6

| New York Jets

| T 20–20

| 4–1–1

| San Diego Stadium

|

{{cite web |url=https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/upload/chargers/tcv8eed5f0tt6mxvavys |website=chargers.com |title=2021 Los Angeles Chargers Media Guide}}

Regular season

= Schedule =

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|San Diego Chargers|year=1972|border=2}}"| Week

!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|San Diego Chargers|year=1972|border=2}}"| Date

!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|San Diego Chargers|year=1972|border=2}}"| Opponent

!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|San Diego Chargers|year=1972|border=2}}"| Result

!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|San Diego Chargers|year=1972|border=2}}"| Record

!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|San Diego Chargers|year=1972|border=2}}"| Venue

!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|San Diego Chargers|year=1972|border=2}}"| Attendance

!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|San Diego Chargers|year=1972|border=2}}"| Recap

style="background:#fcc"

! 1

| September 17

| at San Francisco 49ers

| L 3–34

| 0–1

| Candlestick Park

| 59,438

| [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197209170sfo.htm Recap]

style="background:#cfc"

! 2

| September 24

| Denver Broncos

| W 37–14

| 1–1

| San Diego Stadium

| 49,048

| [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197209240sdg.htm Recap]

style="background:#ffc"

! 3

| October 1

| at Oakland Raiders

| T 17–17

| 1–1–1

| Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum

| 53,455

| [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197210010rai.htm Recap]

style="background:#cfc"

! 4

| October 8

| at Baltimore Colts

| W 23–20

| 2–1–1

| Memorial Stadium

| 55,459

| [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197210080clt.htm Recap]

style="background:#fcc"

! 5

| October 15

| at Miami Dolphins

| L 10–24

| 2–2–1

| Miami Orange Bowl

| 80,010

| [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197210150mia.htm Recap]

style="background:#fcc"

! 6

| October 22

| at Detroit Lions

| L 20–34

| 2–3–1

| Tiger Stadium

| 54,371

| [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197210220det.htm Recap]

style="background:#fcc"

! 7

| October 29

| Kansas City Chiefs

| L 14–26

| 2–4–1

| San Diego Stadium

| 54,533

| [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197210290sdg.htm Recap]

style="background:#fcc"

! 8

| November 5

| Dallas Cowboys

| L 28–34

| 2–5–1

| San Diego Stadium

| 54,476

| [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197211050sdg.htm Recap]

style="background:#fcc"

! 9

| {{dow tooltip|November 13, 1972}}

| Cleveland Browns

| L 17–21

| 2–6–1

| San Diego Stadium

| 54,205

| [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197211190kan.htm Recap]

style="background:#cfc"

! 10

| November 19

| at Kansas City Chiefs

| W 27–17

| 3–6–1

| Arrowhead Stadium

| 79,011

| [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197211190kan.htm Recap]

style="background:#cfc"

! 11

| November 26

| Houston Oilers

| W 34–20

| 4–6–1

| San Diego Stadium

| 46,289

| [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197211260sdg.htm Recap]

style="background:#fcc"

! 12

| December 3

| Oakland Raiders

| L 19–21

| 4–7–1

| San Diego Stadium

| 54,611

| [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197212030sdg.htm Recap]

style="background:#fcc"

! 13

| December 10

| at Denver Broncos

| L 13–38

| 4–8–1

| Mile High Stadium

| 51,478

| [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197212100den.htm Recap]

style="background:#fcc"

! 14

| December 17

| Pittsburgh Steelers

| L 2–24

| 4–9–1

| San Diego Stadium

| 52,873

| [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197212170sdg.htm Recap]

style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|San Diego Chargers|year=1972|border=2}}"

|colspan="8"| Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.

= Game summaries =

== Week 1: at San Francisco 49ers ==

{{Americanfootballbox

|titlestyle={{NFLPrimaryStyle|San Diego Chargers|year=1972|border=2}};text-align:center;

|state=autocollapse

|title=Week 1: San Diego Chargers at San Francisco 49ers – Game summary

|date=September 17

|time=1:00 p.m. PDT

|road=Chargers

|R1=3 |R2=0 |R3=0 |R4=0

|home=49ers

|H1=7 |H2=17 |H3=7 |H4=3

|stadium=Candlestick Park, San Francisco, California

|attendance=59,438

|weather={{convert|59|°F|1}}, relative humidity 74%, wind 10 mph

|referee=Bernie Ulman

|TV=

|TVAnnouncers=

|reference=[https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197209170sfo.htm Box score]

|scoring=

First quarter

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.

|stats=

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 ==

{{Americanfootballbox

|titlestyle={{NFLPrimaryStyle|San Diego Chargers|year=1972|border=2}};text-align:center;

|state=autocollapse

|title=Week 2: Denver Broncos at San Diego Chargers – Game summary

|date=September 24

|time=1:00 p.m. PDT

|road=Broncos

|R1=7 |R2=0 |R3=0 |R4=7

|home=Chargers

|H1=13 |H2=21 |H3=0 |H4=3

|stadium=San Diego Stadium, San Diego, California

|attendance=49,048

|weather={{convert|68|°F|1}}, relative humidity 74%, wind 13 mph

|referee=Jim Tunney

|TV=

|TVAnnouncers=

|reference=[https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197209240sdg.htm Box score]

|scoring=

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.

|stats=

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 ==

{{Americanfootballbox

|titlestyle={{NFLPrimaryStyle|San Diego Chargers|year=1972|border=2}};text-align:center;

|state=autocollapse

|title=Week 3: San Diego Chargers at Oakland Raiders – Game summary

|date=October 1

|time=1:00 p.m. PDT

|road=Chargers

|R1=0 |R2=7 |R3=0 |R4=10

|home=Raiders

|H1=14 |H2=0 |H3=0 |H4=3

|stadium=Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Oakland, California

|attendance=53,455

|weather={{convert|61|°F|1}}, relative humidity 83%, wind 10 mph

|referee=Dick Jorgensen

|TV=

|TVAnnouncers=

|reference=[https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197210010rai.htm Box score]

|scoring=

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.

|stats=

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 ==

{{Americanfootballbox

|titlestyle={{NFLPrimaryStyle|San Diego Chargers|year=1972|border=2}};text-align:center;

|state=autocollapse

|title=Week 4: San Diego Chargers at Baltimore Colts – Game summary

|date=October 8

|time=2:00 p.m. PDT

|road=Chargers

|R1=0 |R2=7 |R3=0 |R4=10

|home=Colts

|H1=14 |H2=0 |H3=0 |H4=3

|stadium=Memorial Stadium, Baltimore, Maryland

|attendance=55,459

|weather={{convert|60|°F|1}}, relative humidity 52%, wind 15 mph

|referee=Fred Wyant

|TV=

|TVAnnouncers=

|reference=[https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197210080clt.htm Box score]

|scoring=

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.

|stats=

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 ==

{{Americanfootballbox

|titlestyle={{NFLPrimaryStyle|San Diego Chargers|year=1972|border=2}};text-align:center;

|state=autocollapse

|title=Week 5: San Diego Chargers at Miami Dolphins – Game summary

|date=October 15

|time=1:00 p.m. EDT

|road=Chargers

|R1=3 |R2=0 |R3=0 |R4=7

|home=Dolphins

|H1=3 |H2=14 |H3=7 |H4=0

|stadium=Orange Bowl, Miami, Florida

|attendance=80,010

|weather={{convert|78|°F|1}}, relative humidity 72%, wind 10 mph

|referee=Chuck Heberling

|TV=

|TVAnnouncers=

|reference=[https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197210150mia.htm Box score]

|scoring=

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

|stats=

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 ==

{{Americanfootballbox

|titlestyle={{NFLPrimaryStyle|San Diego Chargers|year=1972|border=2}};text-align:center;

|state=autocollapse

|title=Week 6: San Diego Chargers at Detroit Lions – Game summary

|date=October 22

|time=1:00 p.m. EDT

|road=Chargers

|R1=6 |R2=0 |R3=0 |R4=14

|home=Lions

|H1=6 |H2=7 |H3=14 |H4=7

|stadium=Tiger Stadium, Detroit, Michigan

|attendance=54,371

|weather={{convert|47|°F|1}}, relative humidity 96%, wind 9 mph

|referee=

|TV=

|TVAnnouncers=

|reference=[https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197210220det.htm Box score]

|scoring=

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.

|stats=

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 ==

{{Americanfootballbox

|titlestyle={{NFLPrimaryStyle|San Diego Chargers|year=1972|border=2}};text-align:center;

|state=autocollapse

|title=Week 7: Kansas City Chiefs at San Diego Chargers – Game summary

|date=October 29

|time=1:00 p.m. PST

|road=Chiefs

|R1=0 |R2=3 |R3=10 |R4=13

|home=Chargers

|H1=0 |H2=7 |H3=0 |H4=7

|stadium=San Diego Stadium, San Diego, California

|attendance=54,533

|weather={{convert|62|°F|1}}, relative humidity 75%, wind 8 mph

|referee=Norm Schachter

|TV=

|TVAnnouncers=

|reference=[https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197210290sdg.htm Box score]

|scoring=

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.

|stats=

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 ==

{{Americanfootballbox

|titlestyle={{NFLPrimaryStyle|San Diego Chargers|year=1972|border=2}};text-align:center;

|state=autocollapse

|title=Week 8: Dallas Cowboys at San Diego Chargers – Game summary

|date=November 5

|time=1:00 p.m. PST

|road=Cowboys

|R1=10 |R2=14 |R3=7 |R4=3

|home=Chargers

|H1=0 |H2=0 |H3=7 |H4=21

|stadium=San Diego Stadium, San Diego, California

|attendance=54,476

|weather={{convert|64|°F|1}}, relative humidity 75%, wind 9 mph

|referee=Bernie Ulman

|TV=

|TVAnnouncers=

|reference=[https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197211050sdg.htm Box score]

|scoring=

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.

|stats=

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 ==

{{Americanfootballbox

|titlestyle={{NFLPrimaryStyle|San Diego Chargers|year=1972|border=2}};text-align:center;

|state=autocollapse

|title=Week 9: Cleveland Browns at San Diego Chargers – Game summary

|date=November 13

|time=6:00 p.m. PST

|road=Browns

|R1=0 |R2=7 |R3=0 |R4=14

|home=Chargers

|H1=0 |H2=3 |H3=7 |H4=7

|stadium=San Diego Stadium, San Diego, California

|attendance=54,205

|weather={{convert|58|°F|1}}, relative humidity 65%, wind 6 mph

|referee=

|TV=

|TVAnnouncers=

|reference=[https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197211130sdg.htm Box score]

|scoring=

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.

|stats=

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 ==

{{Americanfootballbox

|titlestyle={{NFLPrimaryStyle|San Diego Chargers|year=1972|border=2}};text-align:center;

|state=autocollapse

|title=Week 10: San Diego Chargers at Kansas City Chiefs – Game summary

|date=November 19

|time=1:00 p.m. CST

|road=Chargers

|R1=7 |R2=17 |R3=3 |R4=0

|home=Chiefs

|H1=7 |H2=0 |H3=3 |H4=7

|stadium=Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri

|attendance=79,011

|weather={{convert|32|°F|1}}, relative humidity 81%, wind 11 mph, wind chill 23

|referee=Jack Reader

|TV=

|TVAnnouncers=

|reference=[https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197211190kan.htm Box score]

|scoring=

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.

|stats=

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 ==

{{Americanfootballbox

|titlestyle={{NFLPrimaryStyle|San Diego Chargers|year=1972|border=2}};text-align:center;

|state=autocollapse

|title=Week 11: Houston Oilers at San Diego Chargers – Game summary

|date=November 26

|time=1:00 p.m. PST

|road=Oilers

|R1=0 |R2=3 |R3=0 |R4=17

|home=Chargers

|H1=10 |H2=10 |H3=7 |H4=7

|stadium=San Diego Stadium, San Diego, California

|attendance=46,289

|weather={{convert|61|°F|1}}, relative humidity 51%, wind 7 mph

|referee=

|TV=

|TVAnnouncers=

|reference=[https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197211260sdg.htm Box score]

|scoring=

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

|stats=

Top passers

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

Top rushers

Top receivers

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

}}

== Week 12: vs. Oakland Raiders ==

{{Americanfootballbox

|titlestyle={{NFLPrimaryStyle|San Diego Chargers|year=1972|border=2}};text-align:center;

|state=autocollapse

|title=Week 12: Oakland Raiders at San Diego Chargers – Game summary

|date=December 3

|time=1:00 p.m. PST

|road=Raiders

|R1=7 |R2=7 |R3=0 |R4=7

|home=Chargers

|H1=0 |H2=10 |H3=6 |H4=3

|stadium=San Diego Stadium, San Diego, California

|attendance=54,611

|weather={{convert|60|°F|1}}, relative humidity 71%, wind 9 mph

|referee=Ed Marion

|TV=

|TVAnnouncers=

|reference=[https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197212030sdg.htm Box score]

|scoring=

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.

|stats=

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 ==

{{Americanfootballbox

|titlestyle={{NFLPrimaryStyle|San Diego Chargers|year=1972|border=2}};text-align:center;

|state=autocollapse

|title=Week 13: San Diego Chargers at Denver Broncos – Game summary

|date=December 10

|time=12:00 p.m. MST

|road=Chargers

|R1=0 |R2=3 |R3=3 |R4=7

|home=Broncos

|H1=7 |H2=14 |H3=17 |H4=0

|stadium=Mile High Stadium, Denver, Colorado

|attendance=51,478

|weather={{convert|7|°F|1}}, relative humidity 52%, wind 7 mph, wind chill -20

|referee=

|TV=

|TVAnnouncers=

|reference=[https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197212100den.htm Box score]

|scoring=

First quarter

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

|stats=

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 ==

{{Americanfootballbox

|titlestyle={{NFLPrimaryStyle|San Diego Chargers|year=1972|border=2}};text-align:center;

|state=autocollapse

|title=Week 14: Pittsburgh Steelers at San Diego Chargers – Game summary

|date=December 17

|time=1:00 p.m. PST

|road=Steelers

|R1=7 |R2=7 |R3=3 |R4=7

|home=Chargers

|H1=2 |H2=0 |H3=0 |H4=0

|stadium=San Diego Stadium, San Diego, California

|attendance=52,873

|weather={{convert|60|°F|1}}, relative humidity 37%, wind 6 mph

|referee=Pat Haggerty

|TV=

|TVAnnouncers=

|reference=[https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197212170sdg.htm Box score]

|scoring=

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.

|stats=

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 =

{{1972 AFC West standings}}

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 six 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), the 2013 Jacksonville Jaguars, and the 2024 Houston Texans.

Awards

Deacon Jones, John Hadl, Walt Sweeney and Gary Garrison were named to the AFC Pro Bowl squad;{{cite web |title=1972 NFL Pro Bowlers |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1972/probowl.htm |website=pro-football-reference.com |access-date=April 18, 2025}} No Chargers were named All-Pro by the Associated Press, nor were any named the best in his Conference.{{cite web |title=1972 NFL All-Pros |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1972/allpro.htm |website=pro-football-reference.com |access-date=April 18, 2025}}

References

{{Reflist}}

{{Los Angeles Chargers}}

{{Los Angeles Chargers seasons}}

{{1972 NFL season by team}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:1972 San Diego Chargers Season}}

San Diego Chargers

Category:San Diego Chargers seasons

Category:1970s in San Diego

San Diego Chargers f