1979 San Diego Chargers season

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1979 San Diego Chargers season
Head coach Don Coryell
(2nd season)
General manager Johnny Sanders
(Since 1976)
Owner Gene Klein
(Since 1966)
Home field San Diego Stadium
Results
Record 12–4
Division place 1st AFC West
Playoff finish Lost Divisional Playoffs (Oilers) (14–17)
Pro Bowlers
AP All-Pros

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.

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).[3]

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".[4]

The 2006 edition of Pro Football Prospectus,[5] 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."

1979 NFL Draft

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Main article: 1979 NFL Draft
1979 San Diego Chargers draft
Round Pick Player Position College Notes
1 13 Kellen Winslow * †  Tight end Missouri from Cleveland
3 73 Cliff Thrift  Linebacker East Central from Cleveland
      Made roster    †   Pro Football Hall of Fame    *   Made at least one Pro Bowl during career

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.

Schedule

Week Date Opponent Result Attendance
1 September 2, 1979 at Seattle Seahawks W 33–16
62,887
2 September 9, 1979 Oakland Raiders W 30–10
50,255
3 September 16, 1979 Buffalo Bills W 27–19
50,709
4 September 23, 1979 at New England Patriots L 27–21
60,916
5 September 30, 1979 San Francisco 49ers W 31–9
50,893
6 October 7, 1979 at Denver Broncos L 7–0
74,997
7 October 14, 1979 Seattle Seahawks W 20–10
50,077
8 October 21, 1979 at Los Angeles Rams W 40–16
64,245
9 October 25, 1979 at Oakland Raiders L 45-22
53,709
10 November 4, 1979 at Kansas City Chiefs W 20–14
59,353
11 November 11, 1979 at Cincinnati Bengals W 26–24
40,782
12 November 18, 1979 Pittsburgh Steelers W 35–7
51,910
13 November 25, 1979 Kansas City Chiefs W 28–7
50,078
14 December 2, 1979 Atlanta Falcons L 28–26
50,198
15 December 9, 1979 at New Orleans Saints W 35–0
61,059
16 December 17, 1979 Denver Broncos W 17–7
51,906

Playoffs

Week Date Opponent Result Attendance
Divisional December 29, 1979 Houston Oilers L 17–14
51,192

Standings

AFC West
W L T PCT DIV CONF PF PA STK
San Diego Chargers(1) 12 4 0 .750 6–2 9–3 411 246 W2
Denver Broncos(5) 10 6 0 .625 4–4 7–5 289 262 L2
Seattle Seahawks 9 7 0 .563 3–5 6–6 378 372 W2
Oakland Raiders 9 7 0 .563 3–5 5–7 365 337 L1
Kansas City Chiefs 7 9 0 .438 4–4 7–7 238 262 L1

Roster

1979 San Diego Chargers Team Starters
Rookies in italics

Offense

14   Dan Fouts          QB
22   Mike Thomas        RB
40   Clarence Williams  FB
83   John Jefferson     WR
18   Charlie Joiner     WR
84   Bob Klein          TE

66   Billy Shields      LT
63   Doug Wilkerson     LG
56   Bob Rush           C
67   Ed White           RG
70   Russ Washington    RT

Defense

68   Leroy Jones       LDE
99   Wilbur Young      LDT
79   Gary Johnson      RDT
71   Fred Dean         RDE

52   Ray Preston       LB
55   Bob Horn          LB
51   Woodrow Lowe      LB

28   Willie Buchanon   LCB
29   Mike Williams     RCB
42   Mike Fuller       SS/PR
27   Glen Edwards      FS

Kicking Team

16  Mike Wood         K
8   Jeff West         P
85  Artie Owens       KR

Awards and honors

References

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  5. ↑ Pro Football Prospectus 2006 (ISBN 0761142177), p.73-75

External links

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