The Chargers traded their fourth-round selection (No. 117 overall) and 2016 fifth-round selection to the San Francisco 49ers to move up in the first round to select Melvin Gordon.
The Chargers started their season at home against the Lions. After falling behind 21-10 at halftime, the Bolts managed to outscore the Lions 23-7 in the second half of the game and win it 33-28.
With the win, the Chargers started their season 1-0 and improved to 5-0 all-time at home against Detroit.
Week 2: at Cincinnati Bengals
Week Two: San Diego Chargers at Cincinnati Bengals – Game summary
The Chargers would trail all game, and tried to come back towards the end of the game, but Philip Rivers threw an interception, sealing the game. With the loss, the Chargers fell to 1-1.
Week 3: at Minnesota Vikings
Week Three: San Diego Chargers at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary
The Chargers once again would never lead during the game. The game was officially sealed when Chad Greenway returned an interception 91 yards down the sidelines for a touchdown. Adrian Peterson would rush for 126 yards on 20 attempts, including a 43-yard touchdown early in the third quarter on a play in which he ran through Charger defenders. With the loss, the Chargers fell to 1-2.
Week 4: vs. Cleveland Browns
Week Four: Cleveland Browns at San Diego Chargers – Game summary
The Browns would go down to tie the game with a touchdown and a 2-point conversion. The Chargers would then get into field goal range for kicker Josh Lambo. Lambo attempted a 39-yard attempt, but the kick was no good, and the game appeared to be heading to overtime. However, the Browns were flagged for being offsides, as Tramon Williams jumped before the ball was snapped. The penalty gave Lambo a chance at redemption. This time, Lambo drilled the game-winning 34-yard field goal to give the Chargers the win. With the win, the Chargers improved to 2-2.
Week 5: vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
Week Five: Pittsburgh Steelers at San Diego Chargers – Game summary
The Chargers took the lead after Josh Lambo made a 54-yard field goal with 2:56 remaining in the game. However, the Steelers, lead by Michael Vick, were able to march all the way down the field to score as time expired. The final play came on a wildcat formation call, as running back Le'Veon Bell took the direct snap and rushed in for the game winner as the clock expired. The play was reviewed, and the call stood, giving Pittsburgh the win. This game is also notable for the number of Steeler fans that showed up to the game. According to the attendance, there were over 1,000 Steeler fans in the crowd during this game, and whenever the Steelers would score, terrible towels would be waved all over the place, as if the game was being held at Heinz Field. With the loss, the Chargers fell to 2-3.
Week 6: at Green Bay Packers
Week Six: San Diego Chargers at Green Bay Packers – Game summary
The Chargers travel to Lambeau Field to take on Aaron Rodgers and the red-hot Green Bay Packers. However, despite a big day from Philip Rivers throwing for 503 yards, it wasn't enough to stun the Packers in Lambeau and they would go on to lose, 27-20.
With the close loss, the Chargers drop to 2-4.
Week 7: vs. Oakland Raiders
Week Seven: Oakland Raiders at San Diego Chargers – Game summary
The Chargers would trail as much as 37-6 for most of the game. The Chargers would try to come back, and outscored Oakland 23-0 in the fourth quarter. However, it was not enough, as the Chargers lost 37-29. With the loss, the Chargers fell to 2-5.
Week 8: at Baltimore Ravens
Week Eight: San Diego Chargers at Baltimore Ravens – Game summary
The 1-6 Ravens took down the Chargers after Justin Tucker nailed the game winning 39-yard field goal as time expired. With the loss, the Chargers fell to 2-6.
Week 9: vs. Chicago Bears
Week Nine: Chicago Bears at San Diego Chargers – Game summary
For the second time this season, the Chargers home opponent's fans seemed to outnumber their own fans, as Bears fans were heard for most of the game. The Chargers would lead for most of the game. However, the Bears would go down to take the lead on a Zach Miller touchdown. Miller had to go airborne and made the catch with one hand. The grab would seal the win for the Bears. With the loss, the Chargers fell to 2-7.
Week 11: vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Week Eleven: Kansas City Chiefs at San Diego Chargers – Game summary
This game was originally going to be on Sunday Night Football, but was later changed to 4:25 after the Bengals-Cardinals game was flexed to Sunday Night. The Chiefs rattled the Chargers 33-3, and it was the first time the Chargers failed to score a touchdown since 2012 against the Falcons. With the loss, the Chargers fell to 2-8.
Week 12: at Jacksonville Jaguars
Week Twelve: San Diego Chargers at Jacksonville Jaguars – Game summary
The Chargers were able to hold off a comeback by the Jaguars in the fourth quarter, and the Chargers got their first road win of the season. With the win, San Diego went to 3-8.
Week 13: vs. Denver Broncos
Week Thirteen: Denver Broncos at San Diego Chargers – Game summary
For the second time in 3 weeks, the Chargers would fail to score a touchdown, as they were only held to 3 points against a powerful Broncos defense. With the loss, the Chargers fell to 3-9.
Week 14: at Kansas City Chiefs
Week Fourteen: San Diego Chargers at Kansas City Chiefs – Game summary
For the second time this season against the Chiefs, the Chargers did not score a touchdown. This game, however, was a lot closer, as the Chargers lost by a mere 7 points. With the loss, the Chargers fell to 3-10. They were outscored in the season series with Kansas City 43-6.
Week 15: vs. Miami Dolphins
Week Fifteen: Miami Dolphins at San Diego Chargers – Game summary
The Chargers easily dominated the Dolphins, 30-14, to go to 4-10 in what some thought could've been the last game the Chargers played in San Diego. After the game, several Chargers players such as Philip Rivers, Eric Weddle, and Malcom Floyd, along with coach Mike McCoy returned to the field to greet and sign autographs for the fans.[1] However, the team would stay in San Diego for the next season.[2]
Week 16: at Oakland Raiders
Week Sixteen: San Diego Chargers at Oakland Raiders – Game summary
OAK – Michael Crabtree – 6 receptions, 39 yards, TD
The Chargers would tie the game after Josh Lambo converted a 45-yard field goal attempt with 55 seconds remaining in regulation. In overtime, the Raiders would kick the go-ahead field goal on their first possession. The Chargers tried to go down the field to tie or win, but the comeback failed, and the Raiders held on for the win. With the loss, the Chargers fell to 4-11 and were swept by the Raiders for the first time since 2010.
Week 17: at Denver Broncos
Week Seventeen: San Diego Chargers at Denver Broncos – Game summary
SDG – Tyrell Williams – 2 receptions, 90 yards, TD
DEN – Demaryius Thomas – 5 receptions, 117 yards, TD
The Chargers went to Denver to try and prevent the Broncos from clinching home-field advantage throughout the AFC Playoffs. Despite forcing 5 turnovers, the Chargers failed to convert them into points, as their offense struggled all afternoon. Brock Osweiler would later be benched, and Peyton Manning would enter the game for Denver. The Chargers would have the lead twice in this game, but lost them both. The game was officially put away after Ronnie Hillman ran for 23 yards for a touchdown to put the Broncos ahead for good. With the loss, the Chargers ended their season at 4-12, and also finished 0-6 against their division.
^ abcDenver finished ahead of New England and Cincinnati for the No. 1 seed based on head-to-head sweep. New England finished ahead of Cincinnati for the No. 2 seed based on record vs. common opponents — New England's cumulative record against Buffalo, Denver, Houston and Pittsburgh was 4–1, while Cincinnati's cumulative record against the same four teams was 2–3.
^ abPittsburgh finished ahead of the New York Jets for the No. 6 seed and qualified for the last playoff spot based on record vs. common opponents — Pittsburgh's cumulative record against Cleveland, Indianapolis, New England and Oakland was 4–1, while the Jets' cumulative record against the same four teams was 3–2.
^ abBuffalo finished ahead of Indianapolis based on head-to-head victory.
^ abJacksonville finished ahead of Baltimore based on head-to-head victory.
^ abCleveland finished ahead of Tennessee based on head-to-head victory.
^When breaking ties for three or more teams under the NFL's rules, they are first broken within divisions, then comparing only the highest ranked remaining team from each division.
