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2003 San Diego Chargers season#Week 11: at Denver Broncos

{{short description|NFL team 44th season}}

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

{{Infobox NFL season

| team = San Diego Chargers

| year = 2003

| record = 4–12

| division_place = 4th AFC West

| coach = Marty Schottenheimer

| general manager = A. J. Smith

| owner = Alex Spanos

| stadium = Qualcomm Stadium

| playoffs = Did not qualify

| pro bowlers = None

| AP All-pros = {{Collapsible list

| title = 1

| 1 = RB LaDainian Tomlinson (2nd team)

}}

| shortnavlink = Chargers seasons

}}

The {{nfly|2003}} San Diego Chargers season was the franchise's 34th season in the National Football League (NFL), its 44th overall and the second under head coach Marty Schottenheimer. They finished the campaign last in their division with only four wins and earned the #1 pick in the 2004 NFL draft. They played one “home” game during the season, against the Miami Dolphins, at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Arizona where the Arizona Cardinals played, due to the Cedar Fire. The team declined from the previous season, as the Chargers won four games and surrendered the second most points per game (27.6), trailing only the Arizona Cardinals during the season. It was the worst season of Schottenheimer's career, and also his fourth consecutive non-winning season in the NFL, but also his final losing season as a coach.

On April 11, 2003, general manager John Butler died from lymphoma and A. J. Smith, a former assistant to Butler, took over the position for the next 10 seasons; during the season the Chargers wore a patch on their jerseys with the initials "JB" to commemorate John Butler.

For the first time since 1989, Junior Seau was not on the opening day roster.

NFL draft

{{NFL team draft start

| year = 2003

| teamname = San Diego Chargers

}}

{{NFL team draft entry

| round = 1

| pick = 30

| player = Sammy Davis

| position = CB

| college = Texas A&M

| notes = Pick from PHI

| maderoster = yes

| hof =

| probowl =

}}

{{NFL team draft entry

| round = 2

| pick = 46

| player = Drayton Florence

| position = CB

| college = Tuskegee

| notes =

| maderoster = yes

| hof =

| probowl =

}}

{{NFL team draft entry

| round = 2

| pick = 62

| player = Terrence Kiel

| position = S

| college = Texas A&M

| notes = Pick from GB

| maderoster = yes

| hof =

| probowl =

}}

{{NFL team draft entry

| round = 3

| pick = 80

| player = Courtney Van Buren

| position = OT

| college = Arkansas–Pine Bluff

| notes =

| maderoster = yes

| hof =

| probowl =

}}

{{NFL team draft entry

| round = 4

| pick = 112

| player = Matt Wilhelm

| position = LB

| college = Ohio St

| notes =

| maderoster = yes

| hof =

| probowl =

}}

{{NFL team draft entry

| round = 5

| pick = 149

| player = Mike Scifres

| position = P

| college = Western Illinois

| notes =

| maderoster = yes

| hof =

| probowl =

}}

{{NFL team draft entry

| round = 6

| pick = 188

| player = Hanik Milligan

| position = S

| college = Houston

| notes =

| maderoster = yes

| hof =

| probowl = yes

}}

{{NFL team draft entry

| round = 7

| pick = 229

| player = Andrew Pinnock

| position = FB

| college = South Carolina

| notes =

| maderoster = yes

| hof =

| probowl =

}}

{{NFL team draft end}}

Personnel

= Staff =

{{NFL final staff

| year = 2003

| team = San Diego Chargers

| front_office =

  • Owner – Alex Spanos
  • President/chief executive officer – Dean Spanos
  • Executive vice president – Michael Spanos
  • Executive vice president/general manager – A. J. Smith
  • Assistant general manager/director of player personnel – Buddy Nix
  • Vice president of football operations – Ed McGuire
  • Director of college scouting – Jimmy Raye
  • Director of pro scouting – Fran Foley

| head_coach =

| offensive =

| defensive =

| special_teams =

| strength =

  • Strength and conditioning – Dave Redding
  • Assistant strength and conditioning – Matt Schiotz

}}

{{cite book |title=2012 San Diego Chargers Media Guide |pages=263–264 |url=http://www.chargers.com/team/media-guide.html |access-date=October 28, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141015162303/http://www.chargers.com/team/media-guide.html |archive-date=October 15, 2014 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}

= Roster =

{{NFL final roster

| year = 2003

| team = San Diego Chargers

| prefix =

| active = 53

| inactive = 12

| PS = 4

| quarterbacks =

| running_backs =

| wide_receivers =

| tight_ends =

| offensive_linemen =

| defensive_linemen =

| linebackers =

| defensive_backs =

| special_teams =

| reserve_lists =

| practice_squad =

|Active=53|Inactive=12}}

Preseason

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|San Diego Chargers|year=2003|border=2}}"|Week

! style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|San Diego Chargers|year=2003|border=2}}"|Date

! style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|San Diego Chargers|year=2003|border=2}}"|Opponent

! style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|San Diego Chargers|year=2003|border=2}}"|Result

! style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|San Diego Chargers|year=2003|border=2}}"|Record

! style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|San Diego Chargers|year=2003|border=2}}"|Venue

! style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|San Diego Chargers|year=2003|border=2}}"|Attendance

style="background: #fcc;"

! 1

| August 10

| at Seattle Seahawks

| L 7–20

| 0–1

| Seahawks Stadium

|

style="background: #fcc;"

! 2

| August 16

| Arizona Cardinals

| L 10–16

| 0–2

| Qualcomm Stadium

|

style="background: #cfc;"

! 3

| August 22

| at Houston Texans

| W 19–17

| 1–2

| Reliant Stadium

|

style="background: #cfc;"

! 4

| August 28

| San Francisco 49ers

| W 24–3

| 2–2

| Qualcomm 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 =

In addition to their regular games with AFC West rivals, the Chargers played teams from the AFC North and NFC North as per the schedule rotation, and also played intraconference games against the Jaguars and the Dolphins based on divisional positions from 2002.

Oddly, this season marked the first time that the Chargers played the Jaguars, despite that team existing since 1995. This occurred due to old NFL scheduling formulas in place prior to 2002, whereby teams had no rotating schedule opposing members of other divisions within their own conference, but played interdivisional conference games according to position within a season’s table.{{Cite web |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/blog/?p=521 |title=History of the NFL’s Structure and Formats, Part Two |access-date=March 29, 2018 |archive-date=June 22, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180622033031/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/blog/?p=521 |url-status=dead }} The Chargers played the Tennessee Titans only once during this period[https://www.pro-football-reference.com/play-index/tgl_finder.cgi?request=1&match=game&year_min=1970&year_max=2012&game_type=R&playoff_round=&game_num_min=0&game_num_max=99&week_num_min=0&week_num_max=99&game_day_of_week=&game_time=&time_zone=&game_location=&surface=&roof=&game_result=&overtime=&league_id=&team_id=sdg&opp_id=oti&conference_game=&division_game=&tm_is_playoff=&opp_is_playoff=&tm_is_winning=&opp_is_winning=&tm_scored_first=&tm_led=&tm_trailed=&c1stat=&c1comp=gt&c1val=&c2stat=&c2comp=gt&c2val=&c3stat=&c3comp=gt&c3val=&c4stat=&c4comp=gt&c4val=&order_by=game_date&order_by_asc=Y San Diego Chargers v Tennessee Titans/Houston Oilers] (in 1998) but played the Bengals five times[https://www.pro-football-reference.com/play-index/tgl_finder.cgi?request=1&match=game&year_min=1970&year_max=2012&game_type=R&playoff_round=&game_num_min=0&game_num_max=99&week_num_min=0&week_num_max=99&game_day_of_week=&game_time=&time_zone=&game_location=&surface=&roof=&game_result=&overtime=&league_id=&team_id=sdg&opp_id=cin&conference_game=&division_game=&tm_is_playoff=&opp_is_playoff=&tm_is_winning=&opp_is_winning=&tm_scored_first=&tm_led=&tm_trailed=&c1stat=&c1comp=gt&c1val=&c2stat=&c2comp=gt&c2val=&c3stat=&c3comp=gt&c3val=&c4stat=&c4comp=gt&c4val=&order_by=game_date&order_by_asc=Y San Diego Chargers v Cincinnati Bengals] during these years.

In preceding years, even longer gaps between two teams playing each other had occurred. For instance the Jets never opposed the Cardinals between 1979 and 1995 inclusive.[https://www.pro-football-reference.com/play-index/tgl_finder.cgi?request=1&match=game&year_min=1940&year_max=2012&game_type=R&playoff_round=&game_num_min=0&game_num_max=99&week_num_min=0&week_num_max=99&game_day_of_week=&game_time=&time_zone=&game_location=&surface=&roof=&game_result=&overtime=&league_id=&team_id=crd&opp_id=nyj&conference_game=&division_game=&tm_is_playoff=&opp_is_playoff=&tm_is_winning=&opp_is_winning=&tm_scored_first=&tm_led=&tm_trailed=&c1stat=&c1comp=gt&c1val=&c2stat=&c2comp=gt&c2val=&c3stat=&c3comp=gt&c3val=&c4stat=&c4comp=gt&c4val=&order_by=game_date&order_by_asc=Y Arizona Cardinals v New York Jets]

The Week 8 home game against the Miami Dolphins was relocated to Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Arizona due to a massive wildfire that turned Qualcomm Stadium into an evacuation site.{{cite news|last1=Dillon |first1=Jeff |title=Week of Fire -- Fire crews battle to limit damage from raging wildfires |url=http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/fires/weekoffire/20031026-sosdmainbar.html |access-date=5 September 2016 |agency=The San Diego Union-Tribune |date=26 October 2003 |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080907080338/http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/fires/weekoffire/20031026-sosdmainbar.html |archive-date=7 September 2008 }}

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|San Diego Chargers|year=2003|border=2}}"| Week

!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|San Diego Chargers|year=2003|border=2}}"| Date

!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|San Diego Chargers|year=2003|border=2}}"| Opponent

!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|San Diego Chargers|year=2003|border=2}}"| Result

!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|San Diego Chargers|year=2003|border=2}}"| Record

!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|San Diego Chargers|year=2003|border=2}}"| Venue

!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|San Diego Chargers|year=2003|border=2}}"| Attendance

!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|San Diego Chargers|year=2003|border=2}}"| Recap

style="background: #fcc;"

! 1

| September 7

| at Kansas City Chiefs

| L 14–27

| 0–1

| Arrowhead Stadium

| 78,048

| [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200309070kan.htm Recap]

style="background: #fcc;"

! 2

| September 14

| Denver Broncos

| L 13–37

| 0–2

| Qualcomm Stadium

| 65,445

| [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200309140sdg.htm Recap]

style="background: #fcc;"

! 3

| September 21

| Baltimore Ravens

| L 10–24

| 0–3

| Qualcomm Stadium

| 52,028

| [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200309210sdg.htm Recap]

style="background: #fcc;"

! 4

| September 28

| at Oakland Raiders

| L 31–34 (OT)

| 0–4

| Network Associates Coliseum

| 54,078

| [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200309280rai.htm Recap]

style="background: #fcc;"

! 5

| October 5

| at Jacksonville Jaguars

| L 21–27

| 0–5

| Alltel Stadium

| 48,954

| [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200310050jax.htm Recap]

6

|colspan="7"| Bye

style="background: #cfc;"

! 7

| October 19

| at Cleveland Browns

| W 26–20

| 1–5

| Cleveland Browns Stadium

| 73,238

| [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200310190cle.htm Recap]

style="background: #fcc;"

! 8

| {{dow tooltip|October 27, 2003}}

| Miami Dolphins

| L 10–26

| 1–6

| Sun Devil Stadium

| 73,014

| [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200310270sdg.htm Recap]

style="background: #fcc;"

! 9

| November 2

| at Chicago Bears

| L 7–20

| 1–7

| Soldier Field

| 61,500

| [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200311020chi.htm Recap]

style="background: #cfc;"

! 10

| November 9

| Minnesota Vikings

| W 42–28

| 2–7

| Qualcomm Stadium

| 64,738

| [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200311090sdg.htm Recap]

style="background: #fcc;"

! 11

| November 16

| at Denver Broncos

| L 8–37

| 2–8

| Invesco Field

| 75,217

| [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200311160den.htm Recap]

style="background: #fcc;"

! 12

| November 23

| Cincinnati Bengals

| L 27–34

| 2–9

| Qualcomm Stadium

| 52,069

| [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200311230sdg.htm Recap]

style="background: #fcc;"

! 13

| November 30

| Kansas City Chiefs

| L 24–28

| 2–10

| Qualcomm Stadium

| 57,671

| [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200311300sdg.htm Recap]

style="background: #cfc;"

! 14

| December 7

| at Detroit Lions

| W 14–7

| 3–10

| Ford Field

| 61,544

| [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200312070det.htm Recap]

style="background: #fcc;"

! 15

| December 14

| Green Bay Packers

| L 21–38

| 3–11

| Qualcomm Stadium

| 64,978

| [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200312140sdg.htm Recap]

style="background: #fcc;"

! 16

| December 21

| at Pittsburgh Steelers

| L 24–40

| 3–12

| Heinz Field

| 52,527

| [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200312210pit.htm Recap]

style="background: #cfc;"

! 17

| December 28

| Oakland Raiders

| W 21–14

| 4–12

| Qualcomm Stadium

| 62,222

| [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200312280sdg.htm Recap]

Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.

== Week 1: at Kansas City Chiefs ==

{{Americanfootballbox

|titlestyle={{NFLPrimaryStyle|San Diego Chargers|year=2003|border=2}};text-align:center;

|state=autocollapse

|title=Week 1: San Diego Chargers at Kansas City Chiefs

|date=September 7

|time=12:00 p.m. CDT

|Road=Chargers

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

|Home=Chiefs

|H1=14 |H2=10 |H3=3 |H4=0

|stadium=Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri

|attendance=78,048

|weather={{convert|77|F|C}}, relative humidity 36%, wind 6 mph

|referee=Ed Hochuli

|TV=CBS

|TVAnnouncers=Greg Gumbel, Phil Simms and Armen Keteyian

|reference=[https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200309070kan.htm Box score]

|scoring=

First quarter

  • KAN – Priest Holmes 24-yard run (Morten Andersen kick), 11:37. Chiefs 7–0. Drive: 6 plays, 68 yards, 3:23.
  • KAN – Priest Holmes 5-yard run (Morten Andersen kick), 1:21. Chiefs 14–0. Drive: 9 plays, 59 yards, 4:04.

Second quarter

  • KAN – Johnnie Morton 20-yard pass from Trent Green (Morten Andersen kick), 10:08. Chiefs 21–0. Drive: 6 plays, 72 yards, 2:47.
  • KAN – Morten Andersen 42-yard field goal, 4:25. Chiefs 24–0. Drive: 6 plays, 29 yards, 3:17.

Third quarter

Fourth quarter

  • KAN – Morten Andersen 46-yard field goal, 2:22. Chiefs 27–7. Drive: 10 plays, 37 yards, 5:54.
  • SDG – Eric Parker 20-yard pass from Drew Brees (Steve Christie kick), 4:32. Chiefs 27–14. Drive: 6 plays, 67 yards, 2:31.

|stats=

Top passers

  • SDG – Drew Brees – 18/33, 202 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT
  • KAN – Trent Green – 21/32, 282 yards, TD, INT

Top rushers

  • SDG – LaDainian Tomlinson – 13 rushes, 34 yards
  • KAN – Priest Holmes – 18 rushes, 85 yards, 2 TD

Top receivers

  • SDG – Josh Norman – 4 receptions, 64 yards, TD
  • KAN – Priest Holmes – 7 receptions, 98 yards

}}

== Week 2: vs. Denver Broncos ==

{{Americanfootballbox

|titlestyle={{NFLPrimaryStyle|San Diego Chargers|year=2003|border=2}};text-align:center;

|state=autocollapse

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

|date=September 14

|time=1:15 p.m. PDT

|Road=Broncos

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

|Home=Chargers

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

|stadium=Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego, California

|attendance=65,445

|weather={{convert|73|F|C}}, relative humidity 69%, wind 8 mph

|referee=Tony Corrente

|TV=CBS

|TVAnnouncers=Gus Johnson, Brent Jones, Scott Kaplan

|reference=[https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200309140sdg.htm Box score]

|scoring=

First quarter

  • DEN – Reuben Droughns 12-yard pass from Jake Plummer (Jason Elam kick), 12:18. Broncos 7–0. Drive: 7 plays, 69 yards, 2:42.
  • SDG – Steve Christie 19-yard field goal, 6:21. Broncos 7–3. Drive: 9 plays, 58 yards, 5:57.
  • DEN – Shannon Sharpe 1-yard pass from Jake Plummer (Jason Elam kick), 1:36. Broncos 14–3. Drive: 7 plays, 88 yards, 4:45.

Second quarter

  • DEN – Cooper Carlisle 6-yard pass from Jake Plummer (Jason Elam kick), 6:58. Broncos 21–3. Drive: 10 plays, 54 yards, 6:01.
  • SDG – Eric Parker 23-yard pass from Drew Brees (Steve Christie kick), 1:05. Broncos 21–10. Drive: 12 plays, 80 yards, 5:53.
  • DEN – Jason Elam 30-yard field goal, 0:05. Broncos 24–10. Drive: 8 plays, 56 yards, 1:00.

Third quarter

  • SDG – Steve Christie 25-yard field goal, 9:31. Broncos 24–13. Drive: 11 plays, 67 yards, 5:29.
  • DEN – Mike Anderson 1-yard run (Jason Elam kick), 4:48. Broncos 31–13. Drive: 7 plays, 51 yards, 4:43.
  • DEN – Jason Elam 45-yard field goal, 1:05. Broncos 34–13. Drive: 6 plays, 18 yards, 2:16.

Fourth quarter

  • DEN – Jason Elam 34-yard field goal, 14:21. Broncos 37–13. Drive: 4 plays, 8 yards, 1:26.

|stats=

Top passers

  • DEN – Steve Beuerlein – 7/16, 98 yards
  • SDG – Drew Brees – 20/41, 182 yards, TD, INT

Top rushers

Top receivers

  • DEN – Rod Smith – 5 receptions, 71 yards
  • SDG – Eric Parker – 5 receptions, 59 yards, TD

}}

== Week 3: vs. Baltimore Ravens ==

{{Americanfootballbox

|titlestyle={{NFLPrimaryStyle|San Diego Chargers|year=1963|border=2}};text-align:center;

|state=autocollapse

|title=Week 3: Baltimore Ravens at San Diego Chargers

|date=September 21

|time=1:15 p.m. PDT

|Road=Ravens

|R1=7 |R2=3 |R3=14 |R4=0

|Home=Chargers

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

|stadium=Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego, California

|attendance=52,028

|weather={{convert|74|F|C}}, relative humidity 77%, wind 8 mph

|referee=Bill Leavy

|TV=CBS

|TVAnnouncers=Ian Eagle, Solomon Wilcots and Scott Kaplan

|reference=[https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200309210sdg.htm Box score]

|scoring=

First quarter

  • SDG – Steve Christie 24-yard field goal, 2:44. Chargers 3–0. Drive: 15 plays, 72 yards, 8:36.
  • BAL – Alan Ricard 50-yard offensive fumble return (Matt Stover kick), 1:31. Ravens 7–3. Drive: 4 plays, 71 yards, 1:13.

Second quarter

  • BAL – Matt Stover 49-yard field goal, 0:00. Ravens 10–3. Drive: 7 plays, 29 yards, 0:46.

Third quarter

  • BAL – Todd Heap 25-yard pass from Kyle Boller (Matt Stover kick), 3:00. Ravens 17–3. Drive: 6 plays, 72 yards, 3:02.
  • BAL – Jamal Lewis 7-yard run (Matt Stover kick), 1:18. Ravens 24–3. Drive: 2 plays, 14 yards, 0:25.

Fourth quarter

  • SDG – LaDainian Tomlinson 2-yard run (Steve Christie kick), 9:06. Ravens 24–10. Drive: 15 plays, 77 yards, 7:12.

|stats=

Top passers

  • BAL – Kyle Boller – 12/21, 98 yards, TD, INT
  • SDG – Drew Brees – 28/45, 270 yards, 3 INT

Top rushers

  • BAL – Jamal Lewis – 23 rushes, 132 yards, TD
  • SDG – LaDainian Tomlinson – 23 rushes, 105 yards, TD

Top receivers

  • BAL – Todd Heap – 5 receptions, 50 yards, TD
  • SDG – David Boston – 6 receptions, 91 yards

}}

== Week 4: at Oakland Raiders ==

{{Americanfootballbox

|titlestyle={{NFLPrimaryStyle|San Diego Chargers|year=2003|border=2}};text-align:center;

|state=autocollapse

|title=Week 4: San Diego Chargers at Oakland Raiders – Game summary

|date=September 28

|time=1:05 p.m. PDT

|Road=Chargers

|R1=7 |R2=14 |R3=3 |R4=7 |R5=0

|Home=Raiders

|H1=7 |H2=7 |H3=0 |H4=17 |H5=3

|stadium=Network Associates Coliseum, Oakland, California

|attendance=54,078

|weather={{convert|63|F|C}}, relative humidity 75%, wind 14 mph

|referee=Peter Morelli

|TV=CBS

|TVAnnouncers=Dick Enberg, Dan Dierdorf and Bonnie Bernstein

|reference=[https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200309280rai.htm Box score]

|scoring=

First quarter

Second quarter

  • SDG – Justin Peelle 7-yard pass from Drew Brees (Steve Christie kick), 13:19. Chargers 14–7. Drive: 3 plays, 18 yards, 1:29.
  • OAK – Doug Jolley 2-yard pass from Rich Gannon (Sebastian Janikowski kick), 8:14. Tied 14–14. Drive: 11 plays, 92 yards, 5:05.
  • SDG – LaDainian Tomlinson 55-yard run (Steve Christie kick), 6:44. Chargers 21–14. Drive: 3 plays, 74 yards, 1:30.

Third quarter

  • SDG – Steve Christie 32-yard field goal, 10:41. Chargers 24–14. Drive: 8 plays, 20 yards, 4:19.

Fourth quarter

  • OAK – Sebastian Janikowski 23-yard field goal, 9:29. Chargers 24–17. Drive: 16 plays, 75 yards, 7:05.
  • SDG – Lorenzo Neal 3-yard run (Steve Christie kick), 5:59. Chargers 31–17. Drive: 7 plays, 66 yards, 3:30.
  • OAK – Alvis Whitted 36-yard pass from Rich Gannon (Sebastian Janikowski kick), 4:38. Chargers 31–24. Drive: 4 plays, 60 yards, 1:21.
  • OAK – Charlie Garner 24-yard run (Sebastian Janikowski kick), 1:24. Tied 31–31. Drive: 5 plays, 64 yards, 1:27.

Overtime

  • OAK – Sebastian Janikowski 46-yard field goal, 5:01. Raiders 34–31. Drive: 9 plays, 64 yards, 4:44.

|stats=

Top passers

  • SDG – Drew Brees – 21/31, 187 yards, TD, INT
  • OAK – Rich Gannon – 26/43, 348 yards, 3 TD, INT

Top rushers

  • SDG – LaDainian Tomlinson – 28 rushes, 187 yards, TD
  • OAK – Charlie Garner – 12 rushes, 70 yards, TD

Top receivers

}}

== Week 5: at Jacksonville Jaguars ==

{{Americanfootballbox

|titlestyle={{NFLPrimaryStyle|San Diego Chargers|year=2003|border=2}};text-align:center;

|state=autocollapse

|title=Week 5: San Diego Chargers at Jacksonville Jaguars – Game summary

|date=October 5

|time=1:05 p.m. EDT

|Road=Chargers

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

|Home=Jaguars

|H1=7 |H2=3 |H3=10 |H4=7

|stadium=Alltel Stadium, Jacksonville, Florida

|attendance=48,954

|weather={{convert|84|F|C}}, relative humidity 47%, wind 5 mph

|referee=Tom White

|TV=CBS

|TVAnnouncers=Ian Eagle and Solomon Wilcots

|reference=[https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200310050jax.htm Box score]

|scoring=

First quarter

Second quarter

  • SDG – David Boston 46-yard pass from Drew Brees (Steve Christie kick), 9:56. Tied 7–7. Drive: 4 plays, 66 yards, 2:00.
  • JAC – Seth Marler 53-yard field goal, 0:00. Jaguars 10–7. Drive: 7 plays, 54 yards, 3:12.

Third quarter

  • JAC – Troy Edwards 18-yard pass from Byron Leftwich (Seth Marler kick), 6:39. Jaguars 17–7. Drive: 11 plays, 90 yards, 5:44.
  • JAC – Seth Marler 27-yard field goal, 2:38. Jaguars 20–7. Drive: 4 plays, 8 yards, 1:49.

Fourth quarter

  • SDG – Eric Parker 33-yard pass from Drew Brees (Steve Christie kick), 4:19. Jaguars 20–14. Drive: 5 plays, 71 yards, 1:51.
  • JAC – Fred Taylor 60-yard pass from Byron Leftwich (Seth Marler kick), 1:47. Jaguars 27–14. Drive: 6 plays, 73 yards, 2:32.
  • SDG – David Boston 13-yard pass from Drew Brees (Steve Christie kick), 0:20. Jaguars 27–21. Drive: 10 plays, 69 yards, 1:27.

|stats=

Top passers

  • SDG – Drew Brees – 24/41, 296 yards, 3 TD
  • JAC – Byron Leftwich – 19/28, 336 yards, 2 TD

Top rushers

  • SDG – LaDainian Tomlinson – 10 rushes, 38 yards
  • JAC – Fred Taylor – 27 rushes, 87 yards, TD

Top receivers

  • SDG – David Boston – 14 receptions, 181 yards, 2 TD
  • JAC – Jimmy Smith – 8 receptions, 137 yards

}}

== Week 7: at Cleveland Browns ==

{{Americanfootballbox

|titlestyle={{NFLPrimaryStyle|San Diego Chargers|year=2003|border=2}};text-align:center;

|state=autocollapse

|title=Week 7: San Diego Chargers at Cleveland Browns – Game summary

|date=October 19

|time=1:02 p.m. EDT

|Road=Chargers

|R1=6 |R2=7 |R3=10 |R4=3

|Home=Browns

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

|stadium=Cleveland Browns Stadium, Cleveland, Ohio

|attendance=73,238

|weather={{convert|58|F|C}}, relative humidity 50%, wind 8 mph

|referee=Jeff Triplette

|TV=CBS

|TVAnnouncers=Ian Eagle and Solomon Wilcots

|reference=[https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200310190cle.htm Box score]

|scoring=

First quarter

  • SDG – Steve Christie 44-yard field goal, 7:18. Chargers 3–0. Drive: 7 plays, 37 yards, 3:39.
  • SDG – Steve Christie 50-yard field goal, 2:57. Chargers 6–0. Drive: 7 plays, 43 yards, 2:31.

Second quarter

  • SDG – Kwamie Lassiter 38-yard interception return (Steve Christie kick), 5:27. Chargers 13–0.
  • CLE – Phil Dawson 46-yard field goal, 0:35. Chargers 13–3. Drive: 12 plays, 39 yards, 4:52.

Third quarter

  • CLE – Phil Dawson 42-yard field goal, 12:44. Chargers 13–6. Drive: 4 plays, 8 yards, 2:02.
  • SDG – LaDainian Tomlinson 70-yard run (Steve Christie kick), 12:27. Chargers 20–6. Drive: 1 play, 70 yards, 0:17.
  • SDG – Steve Christie 42-yard field goal, 2:57. Chargers 23–6. Drive: 4 plays, 8 yards, 1:37.

Fourth quarter

  • CLE – Dennis Northcutt 6-yard pass from Kelly Holcomb (Phil Dawson kick), 14:52. Chargers 23–13. Drive: 7 plays, 74 yards, 3:05.
  • CLE – Darnell Sanders 1-yard pass from Kelly Holcomb (Phil Dawson kick), 11:40. Chargers 23–20. Drive: 8 plays, 35 yards, 3:04.
  • SDG – Steve Christie 32-yard field goal, 3:44. Chargers 26–20. Drive: 13 plays, 58 yards, 7:56.

|stats=

Top passers

Top rushers

  • SDG – LaDainian Tomlinson – 26 rushes, 200 yards, TD
  • CLE – William Green – 14 rushes, 65 yards

Top receivers

  • SDG – Eric Parker – 2 receptions, 22 yards
  • CLE – Dennis Northcutt – 5 receptions, 54 yards, TD

}}

== Week 8: vs. Miami Dolphins ==

{{Americanfootballbox

|titlestyle={{NFLPrimaryStyle|San Diego Chargers|year=2003|border=2}};text-align:center;

|state=autocollapse

|title=Week 8: Miami Dolphins at San Diego Chargers

|date=October 27

|time=7:09 p.m. MST

|Road=Dolphins

|R1=10 |R2=14 |R3=0 |R4=2

|Home=Chargers

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

|stadium=Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe, Arizona

|attendance=73,014

|weather={{convert|79|F|C}}, relative humidity 12%, wind 3 mph

|referee=Ron Blum

|TV=ABC

|TVAnnouncers=Al Michaels, John Madden and Lisa Guerrero

|reference=[https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200310270sdg.htm Box score]

|scoring=

First quarter

  • MIA – Chris Chambers 5-yard pass from Brian Griese (Olindo Mare kick), 12:58. Dolphins 7–0. Drive: 2 plays, 6 yards, 0:45.
  • MIA – Olindo Mare 44-yard field goal, 8:34. Dolphins 10–0. Drive: 4 plays, -2 yards, 1:51.
  • SDG – Steve Christie 51-yard field goal, 3:17. Dolphins 10–3. Drive: 9 plays, 44 yards, 5:17.

Second quarter

  • MIA – James McKnight 2-yard pass from Brian Griese (Olindo Mare kick), 13:28. Dolphins 17–3. Drive: 10 plays, 65 yards, 4:49.
  • MIA – Randy McMichael 7-yard pass from Brian Griese (Olindo Mare kick), 1:55. Dolphins 24–3. Drive: 6 plays, 80 yards, 3:04.

Third quarter

  • No scoring plays.

Fourth quarter

|stats=

Top passers

  • MIA – Brian Griese – 20/29, 192 yards, 3 TD
  • SDG – Drew Brees – 19/30, 190 yards, 3 INT

Top rushers

  • MIA – Ricky Williams – 23 rushes, 69 yards
  • SDG – LaDainian Tomlinson – 24 rushes, 62 yards, TD

Top receivers

  • MIA – Chris Chambers – 4 receptions, 79 yards, TD
  • SDG – David Boston – 5 receptions, 82 yards

}}

== Week 9: at Chicago Bears ==

{{Americanfootballbox

|titlestyle={{NFLPrimaryStyle|San Diego Chargers|year=2003|border=2}};text-align:center;

|state=autocollapse

|title=Week 9: San Diego Chargers at Chicago Bears – Game summary

|date=November 2

|time=12:05 p.m. CST

|Road=Chargers

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

|Home=Bears

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

|stadium=Soldier Field, Chicago, Illinois

|attendance=61,500

|weather={{convert|57|F|C}}, relative humidity 96%, no wind

|referee=Ron Winter

|TV=CBS

|TVAnnouncers=Gus Johnson and Brent Jones

|reference=[https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200311020chi.htm Box score]

|scoring=

First quarter

  • CHI – Paul Edinger 38-yard field goal, 8:33. Bears 3–0. Drive: 9 plays, 56 yards, 3:37.

Second quarter

  • CHI – Anthony Thomas 1-yard run (Paul Edinger kick), 9:27. Bears 10–0. Drive: 12 plays, 64 yards, 7:48.

Third quarter

  • CHI – Paul Edinger 22-yard field goal, 4:27. Bears 13–0. Drive: 9 plays, 40 yards, 4:21.

Fourth quarter

  • SDG – LaDainian Tomlinson 3-yard run (Steve Christie kick), 9:13. Bears 13–7. Drive: 8 plays, 74 yards, 4:04.
  • CHI – Anthony Thomas 1-yard run (Paul Edinger kick), 0:21. Bears 20–7. Drive: 6 plays, 21 yards, 2:47.

|stats=

Top passers

Top rushers

  • SDG – LaDainian Tomlinson – 16 rushes, 61 yards, TD
  • CHI – Anthony Thomas – 31 rushes, 111 yards, 2 TD

Top receivers

}}

== Week 10: vs. Minnesota Vikings ==

{{Americanfootballbox

|titlestyle={{NFLPrimaryStyle|San Diego Chargers|year=2003|border=2}};text-align:center;

|state=autocollapse

|title=Week 10: Minnesota Vikings at San Diego Chargers

|date=November 9

|time=1:05 p.m. PST

|Road=Vikings

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

|Home=Chargers

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

|stadium=Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego, California

|attendance=64,738

|weather={{convert|66|F|C}}, relative humidity 57%, wind 9 mph

|referee=Ed Hochuli

|TV=FOX

|TVAnnouncers=Kenny Albert and Brian Baldinger

|reference=[https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200311090sdg.htm Box score]

|scoring=

First quarter

Second quarter

  • SDG – Doug Flutie 3-yard run (Steve Christie kick), 11:36. Chargers 21–7. Drive: 12 plays, 68 yards, 5:33.
  • MIN – Nate Burleson 19-yard pass from Daunte Culpepper (Aaron Elling kick), 4:42. Chargers 21–14. Drive: 11 plays, 83 yards, 6:54.
  • SDG – Antonio Gates 4-yard pass from Doug Flutie (Steve Christie kick), 0:25. Chargers 28–14. Drive: 10 plays, 66 yards, 4:17.

Third quarter

  • SDG – LaDainian Tomlinson 1-yard run (Steve Christie kick), 1:36. Chargers 35–14. Drive: 6 plays, 57 yards, 3:09.

Fourth quarter

  • MIN – Moe Williams 31-yard pass from Daunte Culpepper (Aaron Elling kick), 14:48. Chargers 35–21. Drive: 4 plays, 52 yards, 1:48.
  • SDG – Doug Flutie 13-yard run (Steve Christie kick), 8:11. Chargers 42–21. Drive: 5 plays, 73 yards, 2:56.
  • MIN – Moe Williams 2-yard pass from Daunte Culpepper (Aaron Elling kick), 4:20. Chargers 42–28. Drive: 10 plays, 57 yards, 3:51.

|stats=

Top passers

  • MIN – Daunte Culpepper – 32/44, 370 yards, 4 TD, INT
  • SDG – Doug Flutie – 21/29, 248 yards, 2 TD

Top rushers

  • MIN – Moe Williams – 12 rushes, 45 yards
  • SDG – LaDainian Tomlinson – 16 rushes, 162 yards, 2 TD

Top receivers

  • MIN – Moe Williams – 11 receptions, 126 yards, 2 TD
  • SDG – David Boston – 7 receptions, 82 yards, TD

}}

== Week 11: at Denver Broncos ==

{{Americanfootballbox

|titlestyle={{NFLPrimaryStyle|San Diego Chargers|year=2003|border=2}};text-align:center;

|state=autocollapse

|title=Week 11: San Diego Chargers at Denver Broncos

|date=November 16

|time=2:05 p.m. MST

|Road=Chargers

|R1=0 |R2=0 |R3=0 |R4=8

|Home=Broncos

|H1=10 |H2=17 |H3=7 |H4=3

|stadium=Invesco Field at Mile High, Denver, Colorado

|attendance=75,217

|weather={{convert|52|F|C}}, relative humidity 25%, wind 6 mph

|referee=Larry Nemmers

|TV=CBS

|TVAnnouncers=Ian Eagle and Solomon Wilcots

|reference=[https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200311160den.htm Box score]

|scoring=

First quarter

  • DEN – Shannon Sharpe 11-yard pass from Jake Plummer (Jason Elam kick), 13:06. Broncos 7–0. Drive: 2 plays, 11 yards, 0:11.
  • DEN – Jason Elam 42-yard field goal, 6:14. Broncos 10–0. Drive: 11 plays, 31 yards, 5:07.

Second quarter

  • DEN – Jason Elam 22-yard field goal, 9:46. Broncos 13–0. Drive: 15 plays, 86 yards, 8:13.
  • DEN – Rod Smith 65-yard punt return (Jason Elam kick), 8:25. Broncos 20–0.
  • DEN – Shannon Sharpe 26-yard pass from Jake Plummer (Jason Elam kick), 0:32. Broncos 27–0. Drive: 5 plays, 55 yards, 0:50.

Third quarter

  • DEN – Shannon Sharpe 26-yard pass from Jake Plummer (Jason Elam kick), 1:28. Broncos 34–0. Drive: 8 plays, 85 yards, 4:44.

Fourth quarter

|stats=

Top passers

  • SDG – Doug Flutie – 9/25, 70 yards, TD, INT
  • DEN – Jake Plummer – 23/34, 253 yards, 3 TD, INT

Top rushers

Top receivers

  • SDG – Kassim Osgood – 1 reception, 19 yards, TD
  • DEN – Shannon Sharpe – 7 receptions, 101 yards, 3 TD

}}

== Week 12: vs. Cincinnati Bengals ==

{{Americanfootballbox

|titlestyle={{NFLPrimaryStyle|San Diego Chargers|year=2003|border=2}};text-align:center;

|state=autocollapse

|title=Week 12: Cincinnati Bengals at San Diego Chargers

|date=November 23

|time=1:15 p.m. PST

|Road=Bengals

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

|Home=Chargers

|H1=7 |H2=6 |H3=0 |H4=14

|stadium=Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego, California

|attendance=52,069

|weather={{convert|67|F|C}}, relative humidity 49%, wind 9 mph

|referee=Tony Corrente

|TV=CBS

|TVAnnouncers=Bill Macatee, Beasley Reece and Scott Kaplan

|reference=[https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200311230sdg.htm Box score]

|scoring=

First quarter

  • CIN – Chad Johnson 5-yard pass from Jon Kitna (Shayne Graham kick), 10:15. Bengals 7–0. Drive: 10 plays, 70 yards, 4:45.
  • CIN – Chad Johnson 4-yard pass from Jon Kitna (Shayne Graham kick), 3:35. Bengals 14–0. Drive: 13 plays, 88 yards, 4:59.
  • SDG – David Boston 37-yard pass from Doug Flutie (Steve Christie kick), 0:11. Bengals 14–7. Drive: 8 plays, 70 yards, 3:24.

Second quarter

  • SDG – Steve Christie 48-yard field goal, 9:36. Bengals 14–10. Drive: 9 plays, 42 yards, 4:08.
  • SDG – Steve Christie 26-yard field goal, 4:05. Bengals 14–13. Drive: 8 plays, 32 yards, 2:34.
  • CIN – Chad Johnson 12-yard pass from Jon Kitna (Shayne Graham kick), 1:25. Bengals 21–13. Drive: 6 plays, 60 yards, 2:40.
  • CIN – Kelley Washington 4-yard pass from Jon Kitna (Shayne Graham kick), 0:11. Bengals 28–13. Drive: 6 plays, 59 yards, 0:43.

Third quarter

  • CIN – Shayne Graham 37-yard field goal, 2:23. Bengals 31–13. Drive: 12 plays, 62 yards, 7:31.

Fourth quarter

  • SDG – David Boston 26-yard pass from Doug Flutie (Steve Christie kick), 14:54. Bengals 31–20. Drive: 8 plays, 57 yards, 2:29.
  • CIN – Shayne Graham 47-yard field goal, 5:26. Bengals 34–20. Drive: 8 plays, 26 yards, 3:07.
  • SDG – LaDainian Tomlinson 6-yard run (Steve Christie kick), 3:04. Bengals 34–27. Drive: 6 plays, 80 yards, 2:22.

|stats=

Top passers

  • CIN – Jon Kitna – 24/38, 243 yards, 4 TD
  • SDG – Doug Flutie – 15/33, 210 yards, 2 TD

Top rushers

  • CIN – Corey Dillon – 18 rushes, 108 yards
  • SDG – LaDainian Tomlinson – 16 rushes, 95 yards, TD

Top receivers

  • CIN – Chad Johnson – 10 receptions, 107 yards, 3 TD
  • SDG – David Boston – 9 receptions, 139 yards, 2 TD

}}

== Week 13: vs. Kansas City Chiefs ==

{{Americanfootballbox

|titlestyle={{NFLPrimaryStyle|San Diego Chargers|year=2003|border=2}};text-align:center;

|state=autocollapse

|title=Week 13: Kansas City Chiefs at San Diego Chargers

|date=November 30

|time=1:15 p.m. PST

|Road=Chiefs

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

|Home=Chargers

|H1=0 |H2=7 |H3=10 |H4=7

|stadium=Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego, California

|attendance=57,671

|weather={{convert|71|F|C}}, relative humidity 48%, wind 8 mph

|referee=Mike Carey

|TV=CBS

|TVAnnouncers=Dick Enberg, Dan Dierdorf and Bonnie Bernstein

|reference=[https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200311300sdg.htm Box score]

|scoring=

First quarter

Second quarter

  • KAN – Priest Holmes 2-yard run (Morten Andersen kick), 12:41. Chiefs 14–0. Drive: 12 plays, 70 yards, 5:49.
  • SDG – LaDainian Tomlinson 6-yard run (Steve Christie kick), 6:23. Chiefs 14–7. Drive: 8 plays, 52 yards, 4:54.
  • KAN – Tony Gonzalez 7-yard pass from Trent Green (Morten Andersen kick), 1:54. Chiefs 21–7. Drive: 7 plays, 60 yards, 2:59.

Third quarter

  • SDG – Steve Christie 21-yard field goal, 8:59. Chiefs 21–10. Drive: 11 plays, 53 yards, 6:01.
  • SDG – David Boston 20-yard pass from Doug Flutie (Steve Christie kick), 2:56. Chiefs 21–17. Drive: 5 plays, 77 yards, 2:07.

Fourth quarter

  • KAN – Tony Gonzalez 3-yard pass from Trent Green (Morten Andersen kick), 6:28. Chiefs 28–17. Drive: 8 plays, 27 yards, 4:05.
  • SDG – Antonio Gates 18-yard pass from Doug Flutie (Steve Christie kick), 0:00. Chiefs 28–24. Drive: 8 plays, 84 yards, 1:08.

|stats=

Top passers

  • KAN – Trent Green – 17/30, 155 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT
  • SDG – Doug Flutie – 16/34, 213 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT

Top rushers

  • KAN – Priest Holmes – 31 rushes, 162 yards, 2 TD
  • SDG – LaDainian Tomlinson – 19 rushes, 106 yards, TD

Top receivers

  • KAN – Johnnie Morton – 3 receptions, 60 yards
  • SDG – David Boston – 5 receptions, 85 yards, TD

}}

== Week 14: at Detroit Lions ==

{{Americanfootballbox

|titlestyle={{NFLPrimaryStyle|San Diego Chargers|year=2003|border=2}};text-align:center;

|state=autocollapse

|title=Week 14: San Diego Chargers at at Detroit Lions

|date=December 7

|time=1:03 p.m. EST

|Road=Chargers

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

|Home=Lions

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

|stadium=Ford Field, Detroit, Michigan

|attendance=61,544

|weather=N/A (game played indoors)

|referee=Walt Anderson

|TV=CBS

|TVAnnouncers=Bill Macatee and Jerry Glanville

|reference=[https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200312070det.htm Box score]

|scoring=

First quarter

Second quarter

  • SDG – LaDainian Tomlinson 73-yard pass from Doug Flutie (Steve Christie kick), 1:54. Chargers 14–0. Drive: 3 plays, 77 yards, 1:02.

Third quarter

  • No scoring plays.

Fourth quarter

|stats=

Top passers

  • SDG – Doug Flutie – 17/25, 244 yards, 2 TD, INT
  • DET – Joey Harrington – 26/46, 208 yards, TD

Top rushers

  • SDG – LaDainian Tomlinson – 25 rushes, 88 yards
  • DET – Shawn Bryson – 10 rushes, 28 yards

Top receivers

  • SDG – LaDainian Tomlinson – 9 receptions, 148 yards, 2 TD
  • DET – Reggie Swinton – 5 receptions, 54 yards

}}

== Week 15: vs. Green Bay Packers ==

{{Americanfootballbox

|titlestyle={{NFLPrimaryStyle|San Diego Chargers|year=2003|border=2}};text-align:center;

|state=autocollapse

|title=Week 15: Green Bay Packers at San Diego Chargers

|date=December 14

|time=1:15 p.m. PST

|Road=Packers

|R1=7 |R2=10 |R3=0 |R4=21

|Home=Chargers

|H1=3 |H2=0 |H3=3 |H4=15

|stadium=Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego, California

|attendance=64,978

|weather={{convert|61|F|C}}, relative humidity 52%, wind 8 mph

|referee=Ron Blum

|TV=FOX

|TVAnnouncers=Sam Rosen, Bill Maas and Drew Smith

|reference=[https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200312140sdg.htm Box score]

|scoring=

First quarter

  • GB – Ahman Green 4-yard run (Ryan Longwell kick), 10:59. Packers 7–0. Drive: 10 plays, 56 yards, 5:20.
  • SDG – Steve Christie 20-yard field goal, 6:02. Packers 7–3. Drive: 11 plays, 53 yards, 6:01.

Second quarter

  • GB – Ryan Longwell 32-yard field goal, 8:59. Packers 10–3. Drive: 12 plays, 70 yards, 5:49.
  • GB – Donald Driver 7-yard pass from Brett Favre (Ryan Longwell kick), 0:33. Packers 17–3. Drive: 7 plays, 60 yards, 2:59.

Third quarter

  • SDG – Steve Christie 26-yard field goal, 8:52. Packers 17–6. Drive: 11 plays, 53 yards, 6:01.

Fourth quarter

  • SDG – LaDainian Tomlinson 7-yard pass from Drew Brees (David Boston pass from Drew Brees), 14:56. Packers 17–14. Drive: 8 plays, 52 yards, 4:54.
  • SDG – LaDainian Tomlinson 68-yard pass from Drew Brees (Steve Christie kick), 12:10. Chargers 21–17. Drive: 8 plays, 52 yards, 4:54.
  • GB – Robert Ferguson 40-yard pass from Brett Favre (Ryan Longwell kick), 11:18. Packers 24–21. Drive: 8 plays, 27 yards, 4:05.
  • GB – Ahman Green 1-yard pass from Brett Favre (Ryan Longwell kick), 8:37. Packers 31–21. Drive: 8 plays, 27 yards, 4:05.
  • GB – Robert Ferguson 16-yard pass from Brett Favre (Ryan Longwell kick), 3:58. Packers 38–21. Drive: 8 plays, 27 yards, 4:05.

|stats=

Top passers

  • GB – Brett Favre – 23/33, 278 yards, 4 TD, INT
  • SDG – Drew Brees – 28/48, 363 yards, 2 TD, INT

Top rushers

  • GB – Ahman Green – 19 rushes, 75 yards, TD
  • SDG – LaDainian Tomlinson – 20 rushes, 51 yards

Top receivers

  • GB – Donald Driver – 8 receptions, 112 yards, TD
  • SDG – LaDainian Tomlinson – 11 receptions, 144 yards, 2 TD

}}

== Week 16: at Pittsburgh Steelers ==

{{Americanfootballbox

|titlestyle={{NFLPrimaryStyle|San Diego Chargers|year=2003|border=2}};text-align:center;

|state=autocollapse

|title=Week 16: San Diego Chargers at Pittsburgh Steelers

|date=December 21

|time=4:05 p.m. EST

|Road=Chargers

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

|Home=Steelers

|H1=14 |H2=7 |H3=7 |H4=12

|stadium=Heinz Field, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

|attendance=52,527

|weather={{convert|36|F|C}}, relative humidity 43%, wind 15 mph, wind chill 27

|referee=Bill Carollo

|TV=CBS

|TVAnnouncers=Don Criqui and Steve Tasker

|reference=[https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200312210pit.htm Box score]

|scoring=

First quarter

Second quarter

  • PIT – Plaxico Burress 16-yard pass from Tommy Maddox (Jeff Reed kick), 12:49. Steelers 21–0. Drive: 3 plays, 43 yards, 1:16.
  • SDG – LaDainian Tomlinson 5-yard run (Steve Christie kick), 7:05. Steelers 21–7. Drive: 12 plays, 68 yards, 5:44.
  • SDG – Steve Christie 31-yard field goal, 0:04. Steelers 21–10. Drive: 6 plays, 30 yards, 1:13.

Third quarter

  • SDG – Kassim Osgood 57-yard pass from Drew Brees (Steve Christie kick), 12:01. Steelers 21–17. Drive: 6 plays, 72 yards, 2:59.
  • PIT – Hines Ward 20-yard pass from Tommy Maddox (Jeff Reed kick), 8:25. Steelers 28–17. Drive: 2 plays, 20 yards, 0:44.

Fourth quarter

  • PIT – Jeff Reed 47-yard field goal, 14:15. Steelers 31–17. Drive: 13 plays, 67 yards, 6:22.
  • SDG – LaDainian Tomlinson 2-yard run (Steve Christie kick), 10:01. Steelers 31–24. Drive: 8 plays, 69 yards, 4:14.
  • PIT – Jeff Reed 40-yard field goal, 5:04. Steelers 34–24. Drive: 9 plays, 44 yards, 4:57.
  • PIT – Deshea Townsend 25-yard interception return (kick failed), 4:29. Steelers 40–24.

|stats=

Top passers

  • SDG – Drew Brees – 16/26, 198 yards, TD, 2 INT
  • PIT – Tommy Maddox – 11/18, 160 yards, 3 TD

Top rushers

  • SDG – LaDainian Tomlinson – 22 rushes, 91 yards, 2 TD
  • PIT – Jerome Bettis – 32 rushes, 115 yards, TD

Top receivers

  • SDG – Kassim Osgood – 4 receptions, 102 yards, TD
  • PIT – Hines Ward – 6 receptions, 94 yards, TD

}}

== Week 17: vs. Oakland Raiders ==

{{Americanfootballbox

|titlestyle={{NFLPrimaryStyle|San Diego Chargers|year=2003|border=2}};text-align:center;

|state=autocollapse

|title=Week 17: Oakland Raiders at San Diego Chargers

|date=December 28

|time=1:15 p.m. PST

|Road=Raiders

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

|Home=Chargers

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

|stadium=Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego, California

|attendance=62,222

|weather={{convert|61|F|C}}, relative humidity 48%, wind 8 mph

|referee=Bill Leavy

|TV=CBS

|TVAnnouncers=Bill Macatee, Beasley Reece and Scott Kaplan

|reference=[https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200312280sdg.htm Box score]

|scoring=

First quarter

Second quarter

Third quarter

  • No scoring plays.

Fourth quarter

  • SDG – LaDainian Tomlinson 2-yard run (Steve Christie kick), 11:42. Chargers 21–14. Drive: 5 plays, 63 yards, 2:23.

|stats=

Top passers

  • OAK – Rick Mirer – 4/11, 21 yards
  • SDG – Drew Brees – 15/28, 97 yards, TD

Top rushers

  • OAK – Zack Crockett – 10 rushes, 39 yards
  • SDG – LaDainian Tomlinson – 31 rushes, 243 yards, 2 TD

Top receivers

  • OAK – Jerry Rice – 2 receptions, 14 yards
  • SDG – David Boston – 4 receptions, 43 yards, TD

}}

= Standings =

{{2003 AFC West standings}}

Awards

No Chargers were named to the AFC Pro Bowl squad.{{cite web |title=2003 NFL Pro Bowlers |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2003/probowl.htm |website=pro-football-reference.com |access-date=April 22, 2025}} However, LaDainian Tomlinson was voted a second-team All-Pro by the Associated Press.{{cite web |title=2003 NFL All-Pros |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2003/allpro.htm |website=pro-football-reference.com |access-date=April 22, 2025}} He also finished in second place for the AP NFL Offensive Player of the Year award, with 8 of the 50 available votes.{{cite web |title=2003 Awards Voting |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/awards/awards_2003.htm |website=pro-football-reference.com |access-date=April 22, 2025}}

References

{{Reflist}}

{{Los Angeles Chargers}}

{{Los Angeles Chargers seasons}}

{{2003 NFL season by team}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:2003 San Diego Chargers Season}}

San Diego Chargers

Category:San Diego Chargers seasons

Category:2000s in San Diego

San Diego