2015 San Diego Chargers season explained

Team:San Diego Chargers
Year:2015
Record:4–12
Division Place:4th AFC West
Coach:Mike McCoy
General Manager:Tom Telesco
Owner:Alex Spanos
Stadium:Qualcomm Stadium
Radio:KIOZ, KLSD
Playoffs:Did not qualify
Ap All-Pros:None
Shortnavlink:Chargers seasons

The 2015 season was the San Diego Chargers' 46th in the National Football League (NFL), their 56th overall and their third under head coach Mike McCoy. The team had its worst season since 2003 with a 4–12 record. 9 of their 12 losses were by 8 points or less.

Offseason

Signings

Position Player 2014 Team Contract
G 5 years, $36.5 million
WR 3 years, $10.5 million
DB 2 years, $4.25 million
CB 1 year, $2 million
DE 2 years, $1.9 million
RT 1 year, $1.095 million
LT 1 year, $685,000

Departures

Position Player 2015 Team
SS New York Jets
C Retired
WR Chicago Bears
RB Philadelphia Eagles
DE Arizona Cardinals
G Retired
OLB Dallas Cowboys
CB San Francisco 49ers
K Houston Texans
RB Retired
WR Philadelphia Eagles

NFL draft

See main article: 2015 NFL draft.

|-| 4| colspan=7 align=center| None – see draft trades below|-|-| 7| colspan=7 align=center| None – see draft trades below|-

Notes

Schedule

Preseason

WeekDateOpponentResultRecordVenueRecap
1August 13Dallas CowboysW 17–71–0Qualcomm StadiumRecap
2August 22at Arizona CardinalsW 22–192–0University of Phoenix StadiumRecap
3August 29Seattle SeahawksL 15–162–1Qualcomm StadiumRecap
4September 3at San Francisco 49ersL 12–142–2Levi's StadiumRecap

Regular season

WeekDateOpponentResultRecordVenueRecap
1September 13Detroit LionsW 33–281–0Qualcomm StadiumRecap
2September 20at Cincinnati BengalsL 19–241–1Paul Brown StadiumRecap
3September 27at Minnesota VikingsL 14–311–2TCF Bank StadiumRecap
4October 4Cleveland BrownsW 30–272–2Qualcomm StadiumRecap
5Pittsburgh SteelersL 20–242–3Qualcomm StadiumRecap
6October 18at Green Bay PackersL 20–272–4Lambeau FieldRecap
7October 25Oakland RaidersL 29–372–5Qualcomm StadiumRecap
8November 1at Baltimore RavensL 26–292–6M&T Bank StadiumRecap
9Chicago BearsL 19–222–7Qualcomm StadiumRecap
10Bye
11November 22Kansas City ChiefsL 3–332–8Qualcomm StadiumRecap
12November 29at Jacksonville JaguarsW 31–253–8EverBank FieldRecap
13December 6Denver BroncosL 3–173–9Qualcomm StadiumRecap
14December 13at Kansas City ChiefsL 3–103–10Arrowhead StadiumRecap
15December 20Miami DolphinsW 30–144–10Qualcomm StadiumRecap
16at Oakland RaidersL 20–23 4–11O.co ColiseumRecap
17January 3at Denver BroncosL 20–274–12Sports Authority Field at Mile HighRecap
Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.

Game summaries

Week 1: vs. Detroit Lions

The Chargers started their season at home against the Lions. After falling behind 21-10 at halftime, the Bolts managed to outscore the Lions 23-7 in the second half of the game and win it 33-28.

With the win, the Chargers started their season 1-0 and improved to 5-0 all-time at home against Detroit.

Week 2: at Cincinnati Bengals

The Chargers would trail all game, and tried to come back towards the end of the game, but Philip Rivers threw an interception, sealing the game. With the loss, the Chargers fell to 1-1.

Week 3: at Minnesota Vikings

The Chargers once again would never lead during the game. The game was officially sealed when Chad Greenway returned an interception 91 yards down the sidelines for a touchdown. Adrian Peterson would rush for 126 yards on 20 attempts, including a 43-yard touchdown early in the third quarter on a play in which he ran through Charger defenders. With the loss, the Chargers fell to 1-2.

Week 4: vs. Cleveland Browns

The Browns would go down to tie the game with a touchdown and a 2-point conversion. The Chargers would then get into field goal range for kicker Josh Lambo. Lambo attempted a 39-yard attempt, but the kick was no good, and the game appeared to be heading to overtime. However, the Browns were flagged for being offsides, as Tramon Williams jumped before the ball was snapped. The penalty gave Lambo a chance at redemption. This time, Lambo drilled the game-winning 34-yard field goal to give the Chargers the win. With the win, the Chargers improved to 2-2.

Week 5: vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

The Chargers took the lead after Josh Lambo made a 54-yard field goal with 2:56 remaining in the game. However, the Steelers, led by Michael Vick, were able to march all the way down the field to score as time expired. The final play came on a wildcat formation call, as running back Le'Veon Bell took the direct snap and rushed in for the game winner as the clock expired. The play was reviewed, and the call stood, giving Pittsburgh the win. This game is also notable for the number of Steeler fans that showed up to the game. According to the attendance, there were over 1,000 Steeler fans in the crowd during this game, and whenever the Steelers would score, terrible towels would be waved all over the place, as if the game was being held at Heinz Field. With the loss, the Chargers fell to 2-3.

Week 6: at Green Bay Packers

The Chargers travel to Lambeau Field to take on Aaron Rodgers and the red-hot Green Bay Packers. However, despite a big day from Philip Rivers throwing for 503 yards, it wasn't enough to stun the Packers in Lambeau and they would go on to lose, 27-20.

With the close loss, the Chargers drop to 2-4.

Week 7: vs. Oakland Raiders

The Chargers would trail as much as 37-6 for most of the game. The Chargers would try to come back, and outscored Oakland 23-0 in the fourth quarter. However, it was not enough, as the Chargers lost 37-29. With the loss, the Chargers fell to 2-5.

Week 8: at Baltimore Ravens

The 1-6 Ravens took down the Chargers after Justin Tucker nailed the game winning 39-yard field goal as time expired. With the loss, the Chargers fell to 2-6.

Week 9: vs. Chicago Bears

For the second time this season, the Chargers home opponent's fans seemed to outnumber their own fans, as Bears fans were heard for most of the game. The Chargers would lead for most of the game. However, the Bears would go down to take the lead on a Zach Miller touchdown. Miller had to go airborne and made the catch with one hand. The grab would seal the win for the Bears. With the loss, the Chargers fell to 2-7.

Week 11: vs. Kansas City Chiefs

This game was originally going to be on Sunday Night Football, but was later changed to 4:25 after the Bengals-Cardinals game was flexed to Sunday Night. The Chiefs rattled the Chargers 33-3, and it was the first time the Chargers failed to score a touchdown since 2012 against the Falcons. With the loss, the Chargers fell to 2-8.

Week 12: at Jacksonville Jaguars

The Chargers were able to hold off a comeback by the Jaguars in the fourth quarter, and the Chargers got their first road win of the season. With the win, San Diego went to 3-8.

Week 13: vs. Denver Broncos

For the second time in 3 weeks, the Chargers would fail to score a touchdown, as they were only held to 3 points against a powerful Broncos defense. With the loss, the Chargers fell to 3-9.

Week 14: at Kansas City Chiefs

For the second time this season against the Chiefs, the Chargers did not score a touchdown. This game, however, was a lot closer, as the Chargers lost by a mere 7 points. With the loss, the Chargers fell to 3-10. They were outscored in the season series with Kansas City 43-6.

Week 15: vs. Miami Dolphins

The Chargers easily dominated the Dolphins, 30-14, to go to 4-10 in what some thought could've been the last game the Chargers played in San Diego. After the game, several Chargers players such as Philip Rivers, Eric Weddle, and Malcom Floyd, along with coach Mike McCoy returned to the field to greet and sign autographs for the fans.[1] However, the team would stay in San Diego for the next season.[2]

Week 16: at Oakland Raiders

The Chargers would tie the game after Josh Lambo converted a 45-yard field goal attempt with 55 seconds remaining in regulation. In overtime, the Raiders would kick the go-ahead field goal on their first possession. The Chargers tried to go down the field to tie or win, but the comeback failed, and the Raiders held on for the win. With the loss, the Chargers fell to 4-11 and were swept by the Raiders for the first time since 2010.

Week 17: at Denver Broncos

The Chargers went to Denver to try and prevent the Broncos from clinching home-field advantage throughout the AFC Playoffs. Despite forcing 5 turnovers, the Chargers failed to convert them into points, as their offense struggled all afternoon. Brock Osweiler would later be benched, and Peyton Manning would enter the game for Denver. The Chargers would have the lead twice in this game, but lost them both. The game was officially put away after Ronnie Hillman ran for 23 yards for a touchdown to put the Broncos ahead for good. With the loss, the Chargers ended their season at 4-12, and also finished 0-6 against their division.

Standings

Conference

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Wilson . Bernie . December 21, 2015 . Chargers win for fans in possible final SD game . August 1, 2021. 10News.
  2. Web site: Gehlken . Michael . January 29, 2016 . Philip Rivers 'fired up' Chargers still in SD . August 1, 2021. The Baltimore Sun.