The San Diego Chargers season was the franchise's 36th season in the National Football League (NFL), and the 46th overall. The Chargers failed to improve on their 12–4 record in 2004, and finished the campaign 9–7 and 3rd overall in their division, missing out on the playoffs for the first time since 2003. Outside linebacker Shawne Merriman was named Rookie of the Year at the end of the season.
Despite missing the playoffs, the Chargers defeated some of the best teams in the NFL, such as the two time defending Super Bowl champions New England Patriots (41–17) and the previously undefeated Indianapolis Colts (26–17). Following the season, Drew Brees signed as a free agent with the New Orleans Saints. Brees was replaced by Philip Rivers who became a starter for the Chargers for the next 14 seasons.
Offseason
Draft
Personnel
Staff
Roster
Preseason Date Opponent Result Host Stadium NFL Recap Attendance August 11, 2005 at Green Bay Packers L 7–10 Lambeau Field Gamebook 69,611 August 21, 2005 St. Louis Rams W 36–21 Qualcomm Stadium Gamebook 54,421 August 26, 2005 at Minnesota Vikings L 16–19 Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome Gamebook 64,172 September 1, 2005 San Francisco 49ers W 28–24 Qualcomm Stadium Gamebook 49,817
Regular season
Schedule In addition to their regular games with AFC West rivals, the Chargers played teams from the AFC East and NFC East as per the schedule rotation, and also played intraconference games against the Steelers and the Colts based on divisional positions from 2004. Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Attendance Recap 1 September 11 Dallas Cowboys L 24–28 0–1 Qualcomm Stadium 67,679 Gamebook 2 September 18 at Denver Broncos L 17–20 0–2 Invesco Field at Mile High 75,310 Gamebook 3 September 25 New York Giants W 45–23 1–2 Qualcomm Stadium 65,373 Gamebook 4 October 2 at New England Patriots W 41–17 2–2 Gillette Stadium 68,756 Gamebook 5 Pittsburgh Steelers L 22–24 2–3 Qualcomm Stadium 68,537 Gamebook 6 October 16 at Oakland Raiders W 27–14 3–3 McAfee Coliseum 52,666 Gamebook 7 October 23 at Philadelphia Eagles L 17–20 3–4 Lincoln Financial Field 67,747 Gamebook 8 October 30 Kansas City Chiefs W 28–20 4–4 Qualcomm Stadium 65,750 Gamebook 9 November 6 at New York Jets W 31–26 5–4 Giants Stadium 77,662 Gamebook 10 Bye 11 November 20 Buffalo Bills W 48–10 6–4 Qualcomm Stadium 65,602 Gamebook 12 November 27 at Washington Redskins W 23–17 7–4 FedExField 84,930 Gamebook 13 December 4 Oakland Raiders W 34–10 8–4 Qualcomm Stadium 66,436 Gamebook 14 December 11 Miami Dolphins L 21–23 8–5 Qualcomm Stadium 65,026 Gamebook 15 December 18 at Indianapolis Colts W 26–17 9–5 RCA Dome 57,389 Gamebook 16 December 24 at Kansas City Chiefs L 7–20 9–6 Arrowhead Stadium 75,956 Gamebook 17 December 31 Denver Broncos L 7–23 9–7 Qualcomm Stadium 65,513 Gamebook Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.
Game summaries
Week 1: vs. Dallas Cowboys
Week 2: at Denver Broncos
Week 3: vs. New York Giants
Week 4: at New England Patriots
Week 5: vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
Week 6: at Oakland Raiders
Week 7: at Philadelphia Eagles
Week 8: vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Week 9: at New York Jets
Week 11: vs. Buffalo Bills
Week 12: at Washington Redskins
Week 13: vs. Oakland Raiders
Week 14: vs. Miami Dolphins
Week 15: at Indianapolis Colts
Week 16: at Kansas City Chiefs
Week 17: vs. Denver Broncos
Standings
Awards Six Chargers were named to the 2006 Pro Bowl, and four were named first or second team Associated Press (AP) All-Pros. Merriman won the AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year with of the 50 available votes.
Player Position Pro Bowl starter Pro Bowl reserve AP 1st team All-Pro AP 2nd team All-Pro Antonio Gates Tight end Shawne Merriman Linebacker Hanik Milligan Special teams Lorenzo Neal Fullback LaDainian Tomlinson Running back Jamal Williams Defensive tackle
References
External links