1995 San Diego Chargers season

1995 San Diego Chargers season
OwnerAlex Spanos
General managerBobby Beathard
Head coachBobby Ross
Home fieldJack Murphy Stadium
Results
Record9–7
Division place2nd AFC West
Playoff finishLost Wild Card Playoffs
(vs. Colts) 20–35
Pro Bowlers
AP All-Pros

The 1995 San Diego Chargers season was the team's 36th, its 26th in the National Football League (NFL), and its 35th in San Diego.

The season began with the team as reigning AFC champions and trying to improve on their 11–5 record in 1994. After starting 4–7, the Chargers won their final five games to get into the playoffs. It ended in the first round with a loss to the Indianapolis Colts. That game would mark the last time the Chargers made the playoffs until the 2004 season, by when only long snapper David Binn remained from the 1995 roster.

While most of the offensive starters returned from the Super Bowl run were back, the Chargers slipped down the rankings for both passing and rushing. They were hampered by an injury to Natrone Means, who finished with 730 yards despite only having 5 carries in the second half of the season. Tony Martin established himself as the club's leading receiver, with 1,224 yards from 90 catches — this broke Kellen Winslow's club record for receptions in a season. The defense continued to be solid. Safeties Darren Carrington and Stanley Richard were both released after disappointing performances in the Super Bowl; Rodney Harrison began to see more action as a strong safety, and led the team with five interceptions. Leslie O'Neal, in his final year with the club, was once again the sack leader with 12.5; Junior Seau's 130 tackles were 45 more than the next best of his teammates. Andre Coleman continued to be dangerous, running one punt and two kickoffs back for touchdowns, though he also fumbled ten times. Former Australian Rules full-forward Darren Bennett was voted to the Pro Bowl in his first season as a starting punter.

The Chargers suffered a tragedy during the offseason, when linebacker David Griggs was killed in a road accident.[3]

  1. ^ "1995 NFL Pro Bowlers". Pro-Football-Reference.com.
  2. ^ "1995 NFL All-Pros". Pro-Football-Reference.com.
  3. ^ "Chargers linebacker Griggs killed in one-car accident".