Trisha Shetty (Editor)

1979 San Diego Chargers season

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Record
  
12–4

Start date
  
1979

Owner
  
Eugene V. Klein

Division place
  
Head coach
  
Home field
  
Qualcomm Stadium

General manager
  
Johnny Sanders(Since 1976)

Playoff finish
  
Lost Divisional Playoffs (Oilers) (14–17)

Pro Bowlers
  
7QB Dan FoutsWR John JeffersonWR Charlie JoinerG Ed WhiteT Russ WashingtonDE Fred DeanDT Gary Johnson

AP All-Pros
  
8QB Dan FoutsWR John JeffersonG Ed WhiteG Doug WilkersonT Russ WashingtonDE Fred DeanDT Gary JohnsonDT Wilbur Young

People also search for
  
1980 San Diego Chargers season

1979 san diego chargers season top 7 facts


The 1979 San Diego Chargers season was the team's 20th season, and 10th in the National Football League. Their 12–4 record was tied for the best in the league in 1979.

Contents

The 1979 Chargers finished in first place in the AFC West after having finished 9–7 in 1978. The Chargers made the playoffs for the first time in 14 years. Chargers quarterback Dan Fouts threw for more than 4,000 yards, and wide receivers Charlie Joiner and John Jefferson both gained more than 1,000 yards receiving. The Chargers became the first AFC West champion to run more passing plays (541) then rushing (481).

The season ended with a playoff loss to the Houston Oilers.

As part of a marketing campaign, the Chargers created their fight song, "San Diego Super Chargers".

The 2006 edition of Pro Football Prospectus, listed the 1979 Chargers as one of their "Heartbreak Seasons", in which teams "dominated the entire regular season only to falter in the playoffs, unable to close the deal." Said Pro Football Prospectus of the team, "the creative [head coach] Don Coryell always designed potent offenses, but the San Diego defense didn't catch up until 1979. ... In their first playoff game, the Chargers hosted a Houston Oilers team missing running back Earl Campbell and quarterback Dan Pastorini and fell on their faces. Fouts threw five interceptions and no touchdowns, and the Chargers blew a third quarter lead and lost 17–14. The Chargers would not have the best record in the NFL again until the 2006 season. They would not have another top ten defense in points allowed until 1989. They would not win 12 games in a season until 2004. Their best shot at glory went horribly awry, thanks to the worst game in the illustrious career of Dan Fouts."

Regular season

On opening day in The Kingdome on September 2, the Chargers beat the Seattle Seahawks 33–14. Clarence Williams rushed for 2 touchdowns. Rolf Benirschke kicked 4 field goals, and Dan Fouts passed for 224 yards.

In week 2, Fouts had 3 touchdowns and linebacker Woodrow Lowe returned a Ken Stabler pass 32 yards for a score as San Diego beats the Oakland Raiders 30–10.

The next week, San Diego got a come-from-behind win over the Buffalo Bills as Clarence Williams picked up 157 yards on 18 carries and had a team-record 4 rushing TDs.

In week 4, Chargers lost to the New England Patriots 27–21. Patriot linebacker Steve Nelson preserved the victory with an interception of a Dan Fouts pass on the New England 2-yard line with 1:37 remaining in the game.

Roster

1979 San Diego Chargers Team StartersRookies in italicsOffense14 Dan Fouts QB22 Mike Thomas RB40 Clarence Williams FB83 John Jefferson WR18 Charlie Joiner WR84 Bob Klein TE66 Billy Shields LT63 Doug Wilkerson LG56 Bob Rush C67 Ed White RG70 Russ Washington RTDefense68 Leroy Jones LDE99 Wilbur Young LDT79 Gary Johnson RDT71 Fred Dean RDE52 Ray Preston LB55 Bob Horn LB51 Woodrow Lowe LB28 Willie Buchanon LCB29 Mike Williams RCB42 Mike Fuller SS/PR27 Glen Edwards FSKicking Team16 Mike Wood K8 Jeff West P85 Artie Owens KR

Awards and honors

  • Sporting News Executive of the Year: John Sanders
  • UPI Player of the Year: Dan Fouts
  • References

    1979 San Diego Chargers season Wikipedia


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