The 2008 season was the San Diego Chargers' 39th in the National Football League (NFL) and their 49th overall. While they completed the regular season with only an 8–8 record, they nonetheless captured their third consecutive AFC West championship. In the first round of the playoffs, the Chargers defeated the Indianapolis Colts 23–17. But they were eliminated the following week during their divisional round game on the road against the eventual Super Bowl champion Pittsburgh Steelers 35–24.
The Chargers became the first team to go 8–8 and win their division since the 1985 Cleveland Browns, and by winning their Wild Card playoff game against the Indianapolis Colts, became the first team in NFL history to actually go an entire season without having a winning record until after the first round of the playoffs. They also became the first team in NFL history to start a season 4–8 and make the playoffs, and the only team to do so in a 16-game schedule.
Contract negotiations DB Clinton Hart was signed to a 5-year extension in April after being ranked 2nd on the team in Interceptions in his first full year as a starter. LS David Binn was signed to a 4-year extension in May. He was the only remaining member of the Chargers’ 1994 Super Bowl team.
Notable roster additions LB Derek Smith – Signed as a free agent. OL L. J. Shelton – Signed as a free agent. RB Michael Bennett – Signed off waivers.
Notable roster losses CB Drayton Florence – Left as a free agent. Signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars. RB Michael Turner – Left as a free agent. Signed with the Atlanta Falcons. SS Marlon McCree – Signed with the Denver Broncos. RT Shane Olivea – Signed with the New York Giants. FB Lorenzo Neal – Released. Signed with the Baltimore Ravens. LB Derek Smith – Released after Michael Bennett (American football) was signed.
NFL draft
Undrafted free agents Mike Tolbert, FB, Coastal Carolina Brandon Jackson, WR, North Texas Gary Banks, WR, Troy Greg Bracey, WR, Missouri Billy Pittman, WR, Texas Roy Betschart, H-back, Wyoming John Tereshinski, TE, Wake Forest Brandyn Dombrowski, G, San Diego State Andrew Crummey, G, Maryland Tyler Luellen, T, Missouri Keith Shologan, DT, Central Florida Lamar Divens, DT, Tennessee State Eric Bakhtiari, OLB, University of San Diego Josh Bell, CB, Baylor Stanley Franks, CB, Idaho Brian Bonner, S, TCU Billy Vinnedge, P/K, Wyoming
Staff San Diego Chargers 2008 staff Front office Owner – Alex Spanos President/CEO – Dean Spanos Executive vice president – Michael Spanos Executive vice president/executive officer – A. G. Spanos Executive vice president/general manager – A. J. Smith Executive vice president of football operations/assistant general manager – Ed McGuire Senior executive – Randy Mueller Director of player personnel – Jimmy Raye Director of pro scouting – Dennis Abraham Director of college scouting – John Spanos Assistant director of college scouting – Mike Biehl
Head coaches Head coach – Norv Turner Assistant to the Head Coach – Margie Smith Coaches Assistant/Football Analyst – Steve Gera
Offensive coaches Offensive coordinator – Clarence Shelmon Quarterbacks – John Ramsdell Running backs – Ollie Wilson Wide receivers – Charlie Joiner Tight ends - Clancy Barone Offensive line – Hal Hunter Offensive line – Jack Henry Defensive coaches Defensive coordinator – Ted Cottrell Defensive line – Wayne Nunnely Inside linebackers - Ron Rivera Outside linebackers – John Pagano Secondary – Bill Bradley Assistant secondary/Defensive quality control – Kevin Ross
Special teams coaches Special teams – Steve Crosby
Strength and conditioning Strength and conditioning – Jeff Hurd Assistant strength and conditioning – Vernon Stephens
Roster
Preseason Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Recap 1 Dallas Cowboys W 31–17 1–0 Qualcomm Stadium Recap 2 at St. Louis Rams L 6–7 1–1 Edward Jones Dome Recap 3 Seattle Seahawks W 18–17 2–1 Qualcomm Stadium Recap 4 at San Francisco 49ers W 20–17 3–1 Candlestick Park Recap
Regular season
Schedule
In addition to their regular games with AFC West rivals, the Chargers played teams from the AFC East and NFC South as per the schedule rotation, and also played intraconference games against the Colts and the Steelers based on divisional positions from 2007.
On October 26, the Chargers had a game against the New Orleans Saints in London, England, where the Saints were the designated home team. i.e. They were playing their home game in London. This was the second NFL game played in London in as many years.
Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Recap 1 September 7 Carolina Panthers L 24–26 0–1 Qualcomm Stadium Recap 2 September 14 at Denver Broncos L 38–39 0–2 Invesco Field Recap 3 New York Jets W 48–29 1–2 Qualcomm Stadium Recap 4 September 28 at Oakland Raiders W 28–18 2–2 Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Recap 5 October 5 at Miami Dolphins L 10–17 2–3 Dolphin Stadium Recap 6 October 12 New England Patriots W 30–10 3–3 Qualcomm Stadium Recap 7 October 19 at Buffalo Bills L 14–23 3–4 Ralph Wilson Stadium Recap 8 October 26 at New Orleans Saints L 32–37 3–5 Wembley Stadium Recap 9Bye 10 November 9 Kansas City Chiefs W 20–19 4–5 Qualcomm Stadium Recap 11 November 16 at Pittsburgh Steelers L 10–11 4–6 Heinz Field Recap 12 November 23 Indianapolis Colts L 20–23 4–7 Qualcomm Stadium Recap 13 November 30 Atlanta Falcons L 16–22 4–8 Qualcomm Stadium Recap 14 Oakland Raiders W 34–7 5–8 Qualcomm Stadium Recap 15 December 14 at Kansas City Chiefs W 22–21 6–8 Arrowhead Stadium Recap 16 December 21 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers W 41–24 7–8 Raymond James Stadium Recap 17 December 28 Denver Broncos W 52–21 8–8 Qualcomm Stadium RecapNote: Intra-division opponents are in bold text..
Game summaries
Week 1: vs. Carolina Panthers
The Chargers began their 2008 campaign at home against the Carolina Panthers. After a scoreless first quarter, the Panthers pounced first as kicker John Kasay got a 44-yard field goal. The Chargers would take the lead with QB Philip Rivers completing a 44-yard TD pass to WR Chris Chambers, yet Carolina would take the halftime lead as Kasay nailed a 33-yard and a 30-yard field goal. In the third quarter, San Diego got the lead with kicker Nate Kaeding getting a 27-yard field goal, yet the Panthers regained the lead with CB Chris Gamble returning a fumble 31 yards for a touchdown. In the fourth quarter, Carolina increased its lead with Kasay nailing a 49-yard field goal. Afterwards, the Chargers got the lead again with Rivers completing a 24-yard TD pass to TE Antonio Gates and a 5-yard TD pass to WR Vincent Jackson. Unfortunately for San Diego, Panthers QB Jake Delhomme threw the game-winning 14-yard TD pass to TE Dante Rosario as time expired.
Week 2: at Denver Broncos
Hoping to rebound from their last-second home loss to the Panthers, the Chargers flew to Invesco Field at Mile High for a Week 2 AFC West duel with the Denver Broncos. In the first quarter, San Diego trailed early as FB Michael Pittman getting a 1-yard TD run, after a Philip Rivers pass to Chris Chambers was ruled an interception on the field. The Chargers challenged the ruling, but the replay system was inoperative to the officials, so the ruling on the field stood. The 'Bolts would respond with kicker Nate Kaeding getting a 34-yard field goal. In the second quarter, Denver increased its lead with QB Jay Cutler completing a 3-yard and a 14-yard TD pass to TE Tony Scheffler. San Diego would immediately respond with RB Darren Sproles returning a kickoff 103-yard for a touchdown, yet the Broncos replied with kicker Matt Prater getting a 52-yard field goal. The Chargers would strike at Denver's lead as QB Philip Rivers completing a 48-yard TD pass to WR Chris Chambers, yet the Broncos would end the half with Cutler completing a 6-yard TD pass to WR Brandon Marshall.
In the third quarter, the 'Bolts began to rally as Rivers completed a 15-yard TD pass to Chambers, along with Kaeding nailing a 21-yard field goal. In the fourth quarter, San Diego took the lead with Kaeding's 28-yard field goal and Rivers’ 66-yard TD pass to Sproles. However, Denver responded with a 12-play, 80-yard drive (which included a second controversial officiating call that turned a game-winning fumble into an incomplete pass) that concluded with Cutler completing a 4-yard TD pass to WR Eddie Royal, including Cutler's 2-point conversion pass to Royal.
Week 3: vs. New York Jets
Hoping to avoid an 0–3 start, the Chargers went home for a Week 3 Monday night duel with the New York Jets. In the first quarter, San Diego trailed early as Jets CB David Barrett returned an interception 25 yards for a touchdown on QB Philip Rivers' first attempted pass of the game. The Chargers responded with kicker Nate Kaeding’s 36-yard field goal and a Rivers 1-yard TD pass to rookie FB Mike Tolbert. In the second quarter, the 'Bolts increased their lead as CB Antonio Cromartie returned an interception 52 yards for a touchdown. New York tried to answer as QB Brett Favre completed a 3-yard TD pass to WR Laveranues Coles, yet the Chargers replied with Rivers completing a 27-yard TD pass to WR Chris Chambers and a 6-yard TD pass to TE Antonio Gates.
In the third quarter, San Diego continued its march as RB LaDainian Tomlinson got a 2-yard TD run. In the fourth quarter, the Jets tried to rally as Favre completed a 4-yard TD pass to WR Chansi Stuckey (with a failed 2-point conversion) and kicker Jay Feely got a 32-yard field goal. San Diego would answer with Tomlinson's 2-yard TD run. New York tried to make another rally as Favre completed a 13-yard TD pass to TE Dustin Keller (with another failed 2-point conversion), yet the 'Bolts pulled away as Kaeding nailed a 49-yard field goal.
Week 4: at Oakland Raiders
Coming off their home win over the Jets, the Chargers flew to Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum for a Week 4 AFC West duel with the Oakland Raiders. In the first quarter, the 'Bolts trailed early as Raiders kicker Sebastian Janikowski got a 22-yard field goal, along with safety Gibril Wilson sacking QB Philip Rivers in his endzone for a safety. In the second quarter, San Diego continued to trail as QB JaMarcus Russell completed a 63-yard TD pass to TE Zach Miller, along with Janikowski's 28-yard field goal.
In the third quarter the Chargers began to rally as kicker Nate Kaeding made a 28-yard field goal. In the fourth quarter, the 'Bolts continued their rally as Rivers completed a 9-yard TD pass to TE Antonio Gates, along with RB LaDainian Tomlinson getting a 13-yard TD run (with a successful 2-point conversion pass from Rivers to RB Darren Sproles). Oakland tried to respond as Janikowski got a 32-yard field goal, yet San Diego completed its comeback with Kaeding making a 47-yard field goal and Tomlinson rushing for a 41-yard TD run.
Through 15 games against a single opponent, LaDainian Tomlinson set a new record in touchdowns and yards against an opponent previously held by Barry Sanders, 1,763 yards, and Marcus Allen, 20 touchdowns, respectively, by totaling 1,815 yards and 21 touchdowns. In this game, Janikowski attempted and failed a 76-yard field goal.
Week 5: at Miami Dolphins
Coming off their divisional road win over the Raiders, the Chargers flew to Dolphin Stadium for a Week 5 duel with the Miami Dolphins. In the first quarter, the 'Bolts struck first with kicker Nate Kaeding getting a 34-yard field goal. The Dolphins would respond with kicker Dan Carpenter nailing a 47-yard field goal. In the second quarter, Miami took the lead as QB Chad Pennington completing a 17-yard TD pass to WR Greg Camarillo, along with RB Ronnie Brown getting a 5-yard TD run. In the third quarter, San Diego tried to rally as QB Philip Rivers completed a 17-yard TD pass to WR Chris Chambers (a former Dolphin). However, Miami's defense prevented the 'Bolts from striking again.
Week 6: vs. New England Patriots