| Team: | San Diego Chargers |
| Year: | 2005 |
| Record: | 9–7 |
| Division Place: | 3rd AFC West |
| Coach: | Marty Schottenheimer |
| General Manager: | A.J. Smith |
| Owner: | Alex Spanos |
| Stadium: | Qualcomm Stadium |
| Playoffs: | Did not qualify |
| Shortnavlink: | Chargers seasons |
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 defending Super Bowl champions New England Patriots (41–17) and the previously undefeated Indianapolis Colts (26–17; ending the prospect of a perfect season). Following the season, Drew Brees would sign as a free agent with the New Orleans Saints. Brees would be replaced by Philip Rivers who would become their starter for the next 14 seasons.
See main article: 2005 NFL draft.
| Date | Opponent | Result | Host Stadium | NFL Recap | Attendance | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| August 11, 2005 | L 7–10 | Gamebook | 69,611 | |||
| August 21, 2005 | W 36–21 | Gamebook | 54,421 | |||
| August 26, 2005 | L 16–19 | Gamebook | 64,172 | |||
| September 1, 2005 | W 28–24 | Gamebook | 49,817 |
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(OT) | 7–4 | FedExField | 84,930 | Gamebook | |
| 13 | December 4 | Oakland Raiders | W 34–19 | 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 | |