2009 San Diego Chargers season

2009 San Diego Chargers season
Head coach	Norv Turner
Home field	Qualcomm Stadium
Results
Record	13-3
Place	1st AFC West
Playoff finish	TBD
Uniform
Timeline
Previous season	Next season
2008	2010

The 2009 San Diego Chargers season is the 50th season for the original American Football League team, and its 40th in the NFL. The Chargers improved upon their regular season record of 8-8 in 2008 and won their division for the fourth straight year and fifth time in six seasons. They finished the regular season with a 13-3 record, the second best winning percentage in franchise history.

2009 NFL Draft

Many have speculated as to who the Chargers are likely to target early in the 2009 NFL Draft. Commonly noted areas of need include the safety positions, the right side of the offensive line, and inside linebacker. The Chargers are also expected to be in the hunt for a running back to eventually replace Tomlinson, who despite past excellence has faced more frequent injuries and declining production as he ages.

Staff

Current roster

Schedule

Preseason

Regular season

Standings

Regular season results

Week 1: at Oakland Raiders

at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Oakland, California

• Game time: 10:15 PM EDT/7:15 PM PDT
• Game weather: 63°F (Clear)
• Game attendance: 61,940
• Referee: Carl Cheffers
• TV announcers (ESPN): Mike Greenberg (play-by-play), Mike Golic, Steve Young (color commentators), & Michele Tafoya (sideline reporter)

The Chargers began their season at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum for a Week 1 AFL Legacy duel with their AFC West rival, the Oakland Raiders, in the second game of an MNF doubleheader. In the first quarter, San Diego trailed early as Raiders running back Michael Bush got a 4-yard touchdown run. The Chargers would strike back in the second quarter as running back LaDainian Tomlinson got a 1-yard touchdown run. Oakland would respond with kicker Sebastian Janikowski getting a 37-yard field goal. San Diego would close out the half with kicker Nate Kaeding making a 47-yard field goal.

After a scoreless third quarter, the Raiders would retake the lead in the fourth quarter as Janikowski nailed a 35-yard field goal. The Chargers would take the lead as quarterback Philip Rivers completed a 15-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Vincent Jackson. Oakland would respond with quarterback JaMarcus Russell completing a 57-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Louis Murphy, but San Diego came right back with a 5-yard touchdown run by running back Darren Sproles.

With the win, the Chargers began their season at 1-0.

Week 2: vs. Baltimore Ravens

at Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego, California

• Game time: 4:15 PM EDT/1:15 PM PDT
• Game weather: 83°F (Sunny)
• Game attendance: 66,882
• Referee: Tony Corrente
• TV announcers (CBS): Dick Enberg & Dan Fouts

Coming off their road win over the Raiders, the Chargers would play their Week 2 home opener against the Baltimore Ravens. San Diego would deliver the opening strike in the first quarter as quarterback Philip Rivers completed an 81-yard touchdown pass to running back Darren Sproles. The Ravens would respond with running back Willis McGahee getting a 5-yard touchdown run, yet the Chargers would regain the lead as kicker Nate Kaeding got a 29-yard field goal. Baltimore would take the lead in the second quarter as McGahee got a 3-yard touchdown run. San Diego would pull within one as Kaeding made a 22-yard field goal, but the Ravens answered with quarterback Joe Flacco completing a 27-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Kelley Washington. The Chargers would end the half as Kaeding would make a 23-yard field goal.

In the third quarter, Baltimore would add onto their lead as Flacco completed a 9-yard touchdown pass to tight end Todd Heap. San Diego would stay close as Rivers completed a 35-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Vincent Jackson. In the fourth quarter, the Chargers got closer as Kaeding kicked a 25-yard field goal, but the Ravens would answer with kicker Steve Hauschka nailing a 33-yard field goal. San Diego would manage to get a late drive all the way to the Ravens' 15-yard line, but on 4th-&-2, Sproles was tackled behind the line of scrimmage by an unblocked Ray Lewis, ending any hope of a comeback.

With the loss, the Chargers fell to 1-1.

Week 3: vs. Miami Dolphins

at Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego, California

• Game time: 4:15 PM EDT/1:15 PM PDT
• Game weather: 80°F (Sunny)
• Game attendance: 67,230
• Referee: Bill Leavy
• TV announcers (CBS): Dick Enberg & Dan Fouts

Hoping to rebound from their tough loss to the Ravens, the Chargers stayed at home for a Week 3 duel with the Miami Dolphins. After a 1-yard fumble recovery for a touchdown by the Dolphins, San Diego would strike in the second quarter with a 25-yard field goal from kicker Nate Kaeding. The Dolphins would answer with a 24-yard field goal from kicker Dan Carpenter. In the third quarter, Miami extended the lead with Carpenter's 23-yard field goal. Afterwards, the Chargers striked back with quarterback Philip Rivers' 5-yard touchdown run. San Diego would then pull away in the fourth quarter with Kaeding nailing a 23-yard and a 26-yard field goal, followed by safety Eric Weddle returning an interception 31 yards for a touchdown. The Dolphins tried to rally with running back Ricky Williams' 14-yard touchdown run, yet the 'Bolts would hold on for the victory.

With the win, the Chargers improved to 2-1.

Week 4: at Pittsburgh Steelers

at Heinz Field, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

• Game time: 8:20 PM EDT/5:20 PM PDT
• Game weather: 54°F (Cloudy)
• Game attendance: 64,045
• Referee: Jeff Triplette
• TV announcers (NBC): Al Michaels, Cris Collinsworth, & Andrea Kremer

Coming off their home win over the Dolphins, the Chargers flew to Heinz Field for a Week 4 Sunday night duel with the defending Super Bowl champion Pittsburgh Steelers. San Diego found themselves in a huge deficit in the first half. In the first quarter, the Steelers opened the game with running back Rashard Mendenhall getting a 1-yard touchdown run and quarterback Ben Roethlisberger completing a 19-yard touchdown pass to running back Mewelde Moore. Pittsburgh would increase their lead in the second quarter with Mendenhall's 2-yard touchdown run.

In the third quarter, the Steelers continued to roll as Roethlisberger found tight end Heath Miller on a 6-yard touchdown pass. San Diego would strike back as quarterback Philip Rivers threw a 3-yard touchdown pass to tight end Antonio Gates. In the fourth quarter, the Chargers began to catch up with a key play on special teams as fullback Jacob Hester stripped Stefan Logan of the ball and returned it 41 yards for a touchdown. Pittsburgh would answer with Roethlisberger's 6-yard touchdown pass to Miller. Afterwards, San Diego continued its comeback run as Rivers completed a 30-yard touchdown pass to Gates and a 13-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Chris Chambers. However, the Steelers came right back with a 46-yard field goal from kicker Jeff Reed. The 'Bolts tried to cap off their rally, but a sack and fumble by linebacker James Harrison led to a Pittsburgh recovery, effectively ending any hope of a comeback.

With the loss, the Chargers fell to 2-2.

Week 5: BYE

Week 6: vs. Denver Broncos

at Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego, California

• Game time: 8:30 PM EDT/5:30 PM PDT
• Game weather: 68°F (Clear Skies)
• Game attendance: 68,615
• Referee: Scott Green
• TV announcers (ESPN): Mike Tirico, Ron Jaworski, Jon Gruden & Michelle Tafoya

Coming off their bye week, the Chargers went home, donned their throwback uniforms, and played a Week 6 AFL Legacy duel with the Denver Broncos on Monday night. In the first quarter, San Diego struck first with kicker Nate Kaeding getting a 20-yard field goal. The Broncos would immediately respond as wide receiver Eddie Royal returned a kickoff 93 yards for a touchdown, yet the Chargers came back with quarterback Philip Rivers completing a 3-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Vincent Jackson. Denver would take the lead in the second quarter with a 34-yard field goal from kicker Matt Prater and Royal returning a punt 71 yards for a touchdown. Afterwards, San Diego closed out the half with Kaeding's 44-yard field goal and running back Darren Sproles' 77-yard punt return for a touchdown.

In the third quarter, the Chargers would add onto their lead with Kaeding nailing a 50-yard field goal. However, the Broncos would take the lead with quarterback Kyle Orton's 19-yard touchdown pass to tight end Tony Scheffler. In the fourth quarter, Denver would increase their lead with Prater's 29-yard field goal and Orton finding wide receiver Brandon Stokely on a 5-yard touchdown pass. San Diego tried to rally, but the Broncos' defense stood strong and held for the win.

With the loss, the Chargers fell to 2-3.

Week 7: at Kansas City Chiefs

at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri

• Game time: 1:00 PM EDT/10:00 AM PDT
• Game weather: 58°F (Overcast)
• Game attendance: 69,337
• Referee: Pete Morelli
• TV announcers (CBS): Dick Enberg & Dan Fouts

Hoping to rebound from their home loss to the Broncos, the Chargers flew to Arrowhead Stadium, donned their throwbacks, and played a Week 7 AFL Legacy game with the Kansas City Chiefs. In the first quarter, San Diego struck first with quarterback Philip Rivers competing a 3-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Malcom Floyd and a 10-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Vincent Jackson. The Chargers would continue their dominance in the second quarter as kicker Nate Kaeding nailed a 20-yard and a 39-yard field goal.

The Chiefs would get on the board in the third quarter with quarterback Matt Cassel completing a 7-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Dwayne Bowe, yet San Diego came right back with Rivers hooking up with running back Darren Sproles on a 58-yard touchdown pass. Afterwards, the Chargers would wrap up the game in the fourth quarter with Kaeding booting a 19-yard field goal and fullback Jacob Hester recovering a blocked punt in the end zone for a touchdown.

With the win, San Diego improved to 3-3.

Week 8: vs. Oakland Raiders

at Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego, California

• Game time: 4:05 PM EST/1:05 PM PST
• Game weather: 78°F (Sunny)
• Game attendance: 67,016
• Referee: Terry McAulay
• TV announcers (CBS): Dick Enberg & Dan Fouts

Coming off their road win over the Chiefs, the Chargers went home, donned their alternate uniforms, and played a Week 8 divisional rematch with the Oakland Raiders. In the first quarter, San Diego struck first as running back LaDainian Tomlinson got a 6-yard touchdown run. The Raiders would answer in the second quarter with a 3-yard touchdown run by running back Justin Fargas, yet the Chargers stormed on as quarterback Philip Rivers hooked up wide receiver Vincent Jackson on an 8-yard touchdown pass, followed by Tomlinson getting a 10-yard touchdown run. Oakland would close out the half with a 48-yard field goal by kicker Sebastian Janikowski.

In the second half, the Raiders would slowly try to rally as Janikowski nailed a 41-yard field goal in the third quarter and a 41-yard field goal in the fourth. Afterwards, San Diego pulled away as kicker Nate Kaeding booted a 28-yard field goal.

With their 13th-straight win over Oakland, the Chargers improved to 4-3.

Week 9: at New York Giants

at Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey

• Game time: 4:15 PM EST/1:15 PM PST
• Game weather: 71°F (Sunny)
• Game attendance: 78,774
• Referee: Walt Anderson
• TV announcers (CBS): Jim Nantz & Phil Simms

Coming off their divisional home win over the Raiders, the Chargers flew to Giants Stadium for a Week 9 interconference duel with the New York Giants in the much-hyped first-ever meeting between quarterbacks Philip Rivers & Eli Manning (Drew Brees started for the Chargers when the teams met in 2005).

After a scoreless first quarter, San Diego would deliver the opening strike of the second quarter as Rivers completed a 10-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Vincent Jackson. The Giants would answer with Manning completing a 6-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Steve Smith. In the third quarter, the Chargers regained the lead as Rivers found tight end Kris Wilson on a 1-yard touchdown pass. New York would take the lead in the fourth quarter as kicker Lawrence Tynes nailed a 38-yard field goal, Manning hooked up with tight end Kevin Boss on an 8-yard touchdown pass, and Tynes booted a 22-yard field goal. Fortunately, San Diego came right back as Rivers threw the game-winning 18-yard touchdown pass to Jackson.

With the win, the Chargers improved to 5-3 and kept their winning streak going by 3 games.

Week 10: vs. Philadelphia Eagles

at Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego, California

• Game time: 4:15 PM EST/1:15 PM PST
• Game weather: 71°F (Sunny)
• Game attendance: 68,879
• Referee: Jerome Boger
• TV announcers (Fox): Thom Brennaman, Brian Billick & Charissa Thompson

Coming off their road win against the Giants, the Chargers went home for an interconference Duel with the Philadelphia Eagles. In the first quarter, the Chargers took the early lead as quarterback Philip Rivers got a 20-yard touchdown pass to fullback Mike Tolbert. In the second quarter, San Diego increased their lead as running back LaDainian Tomlinson got a 3-yard touchdown run. The Eagles would close out the half as David Akers kicked an 18-yard field goal and a 25-yard field goal.

In the third quarter, San Diego increased their lead as Tomlinson made a 20-yard touchdown run. Philadelphia tried to come back as Akers nailed another 25-yard field goal, but the Chargers increased their lead even further as Rivers hooked up with wide receiver Legedu Naanee on a 20-yard touchdown pass. For the fourth quarter, the Eagles tried to close the margin as quarterback Donovan McNabb passed to wide receiver Jeremy Maclin on a 5-yard touchdown pass, followed by a 6-yard touchdown pass to tight end Brent Celek, yet the Chargers hung on for the victory when kicker Nate Kaeding got a 29-yard field goal.

With the win, the Chargers improved to 6-3 and their winning streak to 4 games.

LaDainian Tomlinson (24 carries, 96 yards, 2 TDs) would surpass Marcus Allen for third place in the NFL's All-Time career touchdown leaders with 146.

Week 11: at Denver Broncos

at INVESCO Field at Mile High, Denver, Colorado

• Game time: 4:15 PM EST/1:15 PM PST
• Game weather: 51°F (Sunny)
• Game attendance: 74,707
• Referee: Ron Winter
• TV announcers (CBS): Dick Enberg & Dan Fouts

Coming off their win against the Eagles, the Chargers flew to INVESCO Field at Mile High for an AFC West rivalry rematch against the Denver Broncos.

In the first half, the Chargers got off to a great start when QB Philip Rivers got a 2-yard touchdown pass to WR Legedu Naanee. Then kicker Nate Kaeding hit a 28 and a 47-yard field goal. In the third quarter the Broncos scored their only points of the game when kicker Matt Prater got a 23-yard field goal, yet the Chargers replied and started to rally with RB LaDainian Tomlinson getting a 1-yard touchdown run, and in the fourth quarter Kaeding making a 28 then a 19-yard field goal, and finally FB Mike Tolbert ran 8 yards to the end zone for a touchdown (With PAT kick blocked).

With the impressive win, the Chargers improve to 7-3

Week 12: vs. Kansas City Chiefs

at Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego, California

• Game time: 4:05 PM EST/1:05 PM PST
• Game weather: 63°F (Sunny)
• Game attendance: 65,280
• Referee: Don Carey
• TV announcers (CBS): Dick Enberg & Dan Fouts

Looking to increase their win streak, the Chargers went home for an AFC West rivalry rematch against the Kansas City Chiefs. In the first quarter the Chargers took control as QB Philip Rivers got a 19-yard touchdown pass to TE Antonio Gates. The Chiefs would reply to tie the game with QB Matt Cassel making a 7-yard touchdown pass to WR Chris Chambers, until San Diego rallied with RB LaDainian Tomlinson getting a 1-yard touchdown run, then Rivers hooking up with Gates again on a 15-yard touchdown pass, then DB Paul Oliver returned a fumble 40 yards for a touchdown.

In the third quarter the Chargers dominance continued as RB LaDainian Tomlinson got a 3-yard touchdown run. The Chiefs tried to comeback with RB Jamaal Charles getting a 2-yard touchdown run, but the Chargers would pull away with kicker Nate Kaeding making a 55-yard field goal. In the fourth quarter a penalty on Matt Cassel was enforced in the end zone for a safety, giving the Chargers 2 points. The final score was made when Kaeding booted a 23-yard field goal.

With the win, the Chargers improve to 8-3.

Week 13: at Cleveland Browns

at Cleveland Browns Stadium, Cleveland, Ohio

• Game time: 4:05 PM EST/1:05 PM PST
• Game weather: 34°F (Sunny)
• Game attendance: 67,978
• Referee: James Coleman
• TV announcers (CBS): Kevin Harlan & Solomon Wilcots

LaDanian Tomlinson had a game he would not soon forget. He passed Jim Brown, who happened to be sitting up in the Brown's booth. When Tomlinson passed him in the all time rushing list, which made him number eight of all time rushers, he saluted the retired running back.

With the win, the Chargers improved to 9-3, and expanded their winning streak to seven games.

Week 14: at Dallas Cowboys

at Cowboys Stadium, Arlington, Texas

• Game time: 4:15 PM EST/1:15 PM PST
• Game weather: None (Retractable Roof Closed)
• Game attendance: 90,552
• Referee: Gene Steratore
• TV announcers (CBS): Jim Nantz & Phil Simms

San Diego came in with an 15-0 December record dated to 2005. San Diego gave up a field goal, then went on a 10 point streak.At the end of the 3rd Dallas managed to tie the game 10-10.Then the chargers piled up 10 more points, eating up the clock. By the time Dallas struck back, it was too late.

With the win, the chargers increased their win streak to 8, and gave them a 10-3 record.

Week 15: vs. Cincinnati Bengals

at Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego, California

• Game time: 4:05 PM EST/1:05 PM PST
• Game weather:
• Game attendance:
• Referee:
• TV announcers (CBS): Jim Nantz & Phil Simms

The Chargers took a 14-13 lead in the first half. During halftime, a piece was shown about the life of the Bengal's wide receiver Chris Henry. The Chargers were up in the 4th quarter 24-13 before the Bengals score a TD with a 2-Point conversion and a field goal tying the game. The Chargers won in the end with a 52-yard field goal by Nate Kaeding.

The close win put the Chargers at 11-3. It marked their 9th straight win and 17th straight win in December. With this win and a 20-19 loss by Denver to Oakland the Chargers clinched the AFC West.

Week 16: at Tennessee Titans

at LP Field, Nashville, Tennessee

• Game time: 7:30 PM EST/4:30 PM PST
• Game weather:
• Game attendance:
• Referee: Tony Corrente
• TV announcers (NFLN): Bob Papa & Matt Millen

The Chargers came in to the game looking to clinch the AFC's #2 seed and a first round bye.

The Titans struck first with a Rob Bironas 46-yard field goal. Then 2 touchdown passes and a LT TD run put them up 21-10 at halftime. After the break the Chargers continued their demolition of the Titans with three straight TD runs. The game's final score was 42-17.

The Chargers grabbed a first round bye and the #2 seed along with their 10th straight win.

Week 17: vs. Washington Redskins

at Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego, California

• Game time: 4:15 PM EST/1:15 PM PST
• Game weather:
• Game attendance:
• Referee:
• TV announcers (Fox):

External links

• Team schedule on NFL.com