2007 San Diego Chargers season

"at Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisconsin
*Game time: 10:00 a.m. PDT/12:00 p.m. CDT
*Game weather: 73°F (Sunny)
*TV announcers (CBS): Jim Nantz (play-by-play) and Phil Simms (color commentator)
*Game attendance: 70,733
*Referee: Jeff Triplette

Trying to rebound from their primetime road loss to the Patriots, the Chargers flew to Lambeau Field for Week 3, as they played an interconference game with the Green Bay Packers. In the first quarter, San Diego struck first with QB Philip Rivers completing a 27-yard TD pass to WR Vincent Jackson. The Packers would respond with kicker Mason Crosby getting a 28-yard field goal. In the second quarter, Green Bay took the lead with QB Brett Favre completing a pair of 5-yard TD passes, one to WR Donald Driver and one to TE Bubba Franks. The 'Bolts responded with Rivers completing a 9-yard TD pass to WR Craig Davis.

In the third quarter, the Chargers took the lead with Rivers completing a 21-yard TD pass to RB LaDainian Tomlinson for the only score of the period. However, in the fourth quarter, the Packers retook the lead with Favre's record-tying 57-yard TD pass to WR Greg Jennings, along with RB Brandon Jackson getting a 1-yard TD run. San Diego tried to come back, as kicker Nate Kaeding got a 44-yard field goal. However, the onside kick failed with Green Bay holding on to win.

Notable: Philip Rivers broke a Chargers record completing 15 consecutive passes in the first half. With the loss, the Chargers fell to 1-2.

Week 4: vs. Kansas City Chiefs

"at Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego, California
*Game time: 4:05 p.m. CDT/1:05 p.m. PDT
*Game weather: 78F° (Slight Haze)
*TV announcers (CBS): Greg Gumbel (play-by-play) and Dan Dierdorf (color commentator)
*Game attendance: 60,439
*Referee: Bill Leavy

After speculation of where the game would be played due to the California wildfires, it was confirmed on October 26 2007 that Qualcomm Stadium would be discontinued as an evacuation site for San Diego residents (with most of the evacuees moved to Del Mar). Before, sites in the Phoenix area were being considered to host the game, as well as Houston's Reliant Stadium, and also the Dallas Cowboys' Texas Stadium. Before the game a special tribute was paid to at the stadium for the fire fighters, National Guard, and volunteers who assisted in fighting the fires and helping the evacuees. Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger attended the game and flipped the coin, which the Chargers won. With an emotional charge from both the players and fans, as well as some victims, the Chargers played one of the best games of their season. Philip Rivers threw 3 touchdown passes despite only throwing 11 passes. Two TDs went to tight end Antonio Gates, and the remainder went to newly acquired wideout Chris Chambers, who was just traded from the Miami Dolphins a two weeks earlier and played his first game as a Charger (due to San Diego's bye week). However, that performance was second to second-year corner Antonio Cromartie, who performance included two interceptions, and two defensive touchdowns. He had a 70 yard INT return for a score, and the other was a complicated snap where the Texans snapped the ball over punter Matt Turk's head, and the ball fell into the end zone. Quickly having to recover, Turk missed grabbing the ball and it fell into the hands of Cromartie, easily scoring. The Chargers won, 35-10 in a home blowout, which was, in the quote of Ladainian Tomlinson, "one for the fans."

Week 9: at Minnesota Vikings

"at Jacksonville Municipal Stadium, Jacksonville, Florida
*Game time: 10:00 a.m. PST/1:00 p.m. EST
*Game weather: 70F° (Cloudy)
*TV announcers (CBS): Greg Gumbel (play-by-play) and Dan Dierdorf (color commentator)
*Game attendance: 66,732
*Referee: Larry Nemmers

Coming off their home upset over the Colts, the Chargers flew to Jacksonville Municipal Stadium for a Week 11 intraconference duel with the Jacksonville Jaguars. In the first quarter, San Diego trailed early as Jaguars kicker Josh Scobee managed to get a 48-yard field goal, along with RB Maurice Jones-Drew getting a 1-yard TD run. In the second quarter, the Chargers got on the board with kicker Nate Kaeding getting a 23-yard field goal. However, Jacksonville responded with QB David Garrard completing a 36-yard TD pass to WR Reggie Williams.

In the third quarter, San Diego responded with RB LaDainian Tomlinson getting a 6-yard TD run, yet the Jaguars answered with Garrard completing a 1-yard TD pass to TE Marcedes Lewis. In the fourth quarter, the Chargers tried to make a comeback as QB Philip Rivers completed a 24-yard TD pass to TE Antonio Gates. But it was too-little too-late, as Jacksonville's defense held on to win.

With the loss, San Diego fell to 5-5.

Week 12: vs. Baltimore Ravens

"at LP Field, Nashville, Tennessee"
*Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST/12:00 p.m. CST
*Game weather: 69 °F (Cloudy with Sprinkles)
*TV announcers (CBS): Greg Gumbel (play-by-play) and Dan Dierdorf (color commentator)
*Game attendance: 69,143
*Referee: Bill Carollo

Coming off their divisional road win over the Chiefs, the Chargers flew to LP Field for a Week 14 intraconference duel with the Tennessee Titans. In the first quarter, San Diego trailed early as Titans kicker Rob Bironas managed to get a 44-yard field goal for the only score of the half.

In the third quarter, the Chargers would get on the board as kicker Nate Kaeding nailed a 20-yard field goal, yet Tennessee responded with RB Chris Brown getting a 7-yard TD run. In the fourth quarter, the Titans increased their lead with RB LenDale White getting a 7-yard TD run. Fortunately, San Diego tied the game with QB Philip Rivers completing a 7-yard TD pass to RB LaDainian Tomlinson and a 2-yard TD pass to TE Antonio Gates. In overtime, the 'Bolts got the win with Tomlinson getting the game-winning 16-yard TD run.

With the win, the Chargers improved to 8-5.

For Tomlinson, it was his 3rd overtime touchdown (the most in NFL history).

For CB Antonio Cromartie, his lone interception gave him 9 on the year, tying the franchise single-season record set by Charlie McNeil in 1961.

Week 15: vs. Detroit Lions

"at McAfee Coliseum, Oakland, California
*Game time: 1:15 p.m. PST
*Game weather: 54°F (Cloudy)
*TV announcers (CBS): Greg Gumbel (play-by-play) and Dan Dierdorf (color commentator)
*Game attendance: 61,706
*Referee: Terry McAulay

Coming off their Christmans Eve victory of the Broncos, the Chargers ended the regular season at McAfee Coliseum for a Week 17 AFC West rematch with the Oakland Raiders. In the first quarter, San Diego struck first as QB Philip Rivers completing a 7-yard TD pass to RB LaDainian Tomlinson. The Raiders would respond with RB Dominic Rhodes getting a 1-yard TD run. In the second quarter, the 'Bolts regained the lead with Rivers completing a 19-yard TD pass to WR Chris Chambers. Oakland would end the half with kicker Sebastian Janikowski getting a 53-yard field goal.

In the third quarter, the Chargers increased their lead with kicker Nate Kaeding getting a 36-yard field goal, along with rookie LB Jyles Tucker recovering a Raider fumble in the endzone for a touchdown. Oakland would respond with QB JaMarcus Russell completing a 32-yard TD pass to WR Jerry Porter. In the fourth quarter, San Diego sealed the win with Kaeding nailing a 31-yard and a 24-yard field goal.

With the win, not only did the Chargers close out their regular season at 11-5, but they also secured the AFC's #3 seed.

Postseason

chedule

AFC Wild Card Playoff (Sunday January 6, 2008): vs. Tennessee Titans

Linescore Amfootball
Road=Titans
R1=3
R2=3
R3=0
R4=0
RT=6
Home=Chargers
H1=0
H2=0
H3=10
H4=7
HT=17"at Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego, California"
*Game time: 4:15 PM EST
*Game weather: 39°F (Light Rain)
*Game attendance: 65,640
*Referee: Ed Hochuli
*TV announcers: (CBS) Jim Nantz (play by play) & Phil Simms (color commentator)

Entering the playoffs as the AFC's #3 seed, the Chargers began their playoff run at home against the sixth-seeded Tennessee Titans, in a rematch of Week 14, which saw San Diego trail early, then rally to tie the game in the fourth quarter and win in overtime.

In the first half, the Chargers trailed early as Titans kicker Rob Bironas managed to get a 30-yard field goal in the first quarter and a 44-yard field goal in the second quarter. In the third quarter, the 'Bolts rallied to take the lead with kicker Nate Kaeding nailing a 20-yard field goal, along with QB Philip Rivers completing a 25-yard TD pass to WR Vincent Jackson. In the fourth quarter, San Diego pulled away with RB LaDainian Tomlinson getting a 1-yard TD run.

With the win, not only did the Chargers improve their overall record to 12-5, but they also gave the franchise its very first playoff win since the which led them to Super Bowl XXIX. The team advanced to the AFC Divisional Playoff.

AFC Divisional Playoff (Sunday, January 13, 2008): at Indianapolis Colts

Linescore Amfootball
Road=Chargers
R1=0
R2=7
R3=14
R4=7
RT=28
Home=Colts
H1=7
H2=3
H3=7
H4=7
HT=24"at RCA Dome, Indianapolis, Indiana"
*Game time: 1:00 PM EST
*Game weather: "Game played indoors" (Domed stadium)
*TV announcers (CBS): Greg Gumbel (play-by-play), Dan Dierdorf (color commentator)
*Game attendance: 56,950
*Referee: Gerald Austin

Coming off their wild card home win over the Titans, the Chargers flew to the RCA Dome for their AFC Divisional duel with the second-seeded/defending Super Bowl champion Indianapolis Colts, in a rematch of Week 10. In the first scoring play, Peyton Manning threw a TD to Dallas Clark for 25 yards. LaDainian Tomlinson was injured on a running play and despite an attempt to return to action later in the first half, he did not return to the game. Phillip Rivers then threw a pass to Vincent Jackson for San Diego's first TD of the game. Adam Vinatieri made a 46 yard FG to put the Colts up 10-7. Antonio Cromartie intercepted Peyton Manning at the end of the first half and ran it 89 yards for a touchdown; however, the play was called back on a dubious holding call by Phil Luckett, who has a reputation for inaccurate and questionable calls. The second half began with Rivers tossing a pass to Chris Chambers for 30 yards. At 3:19 of the third quarter, Manning completed a pass for Reggie Wayne for 9 yards. Rivers would manage to complete a 56 yard pass to Darren Sproles for a touchdown. On that play, Rivers injured his leg and would not return to the game. Billy Volek replaced Rivers at quarterback. Starting the fourth quarter, Manning threw a TD pass to Anthony Gonzalez for 55 yards. Volek engineered a long drive culminating in a 1 yard sneak for a TD putting the Chargers up for good.

The Colts had two late opportunities to score on separate drives. On the first drive, the Colts faced a 4th down from inside the Charger 20 yard line. They decided against a field goal which still would have left them down by 1 point. Trying for the score, Peyton Manning was hurried by a blitzing Shawne Merriman as his throw came up short. The Chargers took over on downs but failed to get a first down. After a long punt by Mike Scifres, the Colts had less than 2 minutes to try and win the game. Once again, the Chargers defense stifled the Colts, taking over on downs with seconds to play.

With the win, the team's improved their overall record to 13-5. The team advanced to the AFC Championship Game. There were a total of 7 lead changes throughout the game.

AFC Championship Game (Sunday, January 20, 2008) at New England Patriots

Linescore Amfootball
Road=Chargers
R1=3
R2=6
R3=3
R4=0
RT=12
Home=Patriots
H1=0
H2=14
H3=0
H4=7
HT=21

"at Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts"
*Game time: 3:00PM EST
*Game weather: TBD
*TV announcers (CBS): Jim Nantz (play by play) & Phil Simms (color commentator)
*Game attendance: TBD
*Referee: Jeff Triplette

2008 Pro Bowl

In the 2008 Pro Bowl, the team has elected 8 players who are LaDainian Tomlinson (fifth appearance), Lorenzo Neal (fourth appearance), Antonio Gates (fourth appearance), Kris Dielman (first appearance), Jamal Williams (third appearance), Shawne Merriman (third appearance), Antonio Cromartie (first appearance), and Kassim Osgood (second appearance).

Notes and references

ee also

*2007 NFL season