San Diego Chargers Epic Moments

SI Staff | Dec 3, 2012

San Diego Chargers Epic Moments

Jan. 2, 1982

Heinz Kluetmeier/SI

Rolf Benirschke's 29-yard field goal gives San Diego a 41-38 overtime victory over Miami in the Orange Bowl, capping one of the most sensational games in NFL history. The Chargers blow an early 24-point lead but rally to tie the AFC divisional playoff on Dan Fouts' nine-yard TD pass in the final minute. Tight end Kellen Winslow is heroic, catching 13 passes for 166 yards and a TD and blocking a Miami field-goal attempt on the final play of regulation.

Jan. 15, 1995

Gene J. Puskar/AP

The Chargers rally from 10-point deficit to shock the host Pittsburgh Steelers 17-13 to win the 1994 AFC title and qualify for their only Super Bowl. A pair of 43-yard Stan Humphries TD passes to Alfred Pupunu and to Tony Martin give San Diego the win.

Jan. 5, 1964

Hy Peskin/SI

Running back Keith Lincoln totals 329 yards of offense and quarterbacks Tobin Rote and John Hadl combine for three TD passes as coach Sid Gillman's offense explodes for 610 yards in a 51-10 pasting of the Boston Patriots for the 1963 AFL championship. In that pre-Super Bowl era, fans wonder if the Chargers could have handled the NFL champion Bears.

Dec. 10, 2006

John W. McDonough/SI

League MVP LaDainian Tomlinson scores on a seven-yard run to set the NFL single-season rushing record at 29. He extended it to 31 a week later, when he also broke Paul Hornung's 46-year-old NFL single-season scoring mark by reaching 186 points.

Sept. 25, 1978

Walter Iooss Jr./SI

Head coach Don Coryell is hired to replace Tommy Prothro, and the Chargers enter their most productive era. Coryell's offenses lead the NFL in passing yards a record-six straight seasons (1978-83) and the Chargers qualify for the playoffs for four straight years (1979-82). Quarterback Dan Fouts, wide receiver Charlie Joiner and tight end Kellen Winslow ultimately earn Hall of Fame recognition.