1972 San Diego Chargers season

1972 San Diego Chargers season
OwnerEugene V. Klein
General managerHarland Svare
Head coachHarland Svare
Home fieldSan Diego Stadium
Results
Record4–9–1
Division place4th AFC West
Playoff finishDid not qualify
Pro Bowlers
AP All-ProsNone[2]

The 1972 San Diego Chargers season was the franchise's third season in the National Football League (NFL), and its 13th overall. The team failed to improve on their 6–8 record in 1971. The Chargers would get off to a poor start, as they were devoured 34-3 in their season opener at San Francisco. After their week 2 win against the Denver Broncos, the Chargers would play to a 17-17 draw with another cross-state rival, the Oakland Raiders. It was San Diego's fourth tie in 3 seasons (they tied 3 times in 1970). Even after they defeated the Baltimore Colts in the week following the tie, the Bolts would stumble the rest of the year, winning only 2 more games en route to a 4-9-1 season. This squad featured several players like Duane Thomas, Tim Rossovich, Dave Costa and John Mackey who were unwanted by most of the other NFL teams.[3]

  1. ^ "1972 NFL Pro Bowlers". Pro-Football-Reference.com.
  2. ^ "1972 NFL All-Pros". Pro-Football-Reference.com.
  3. ^ Anderson, Dave. "Sports of The Times: John Mackey's Week," The New York Times, Tuesday, September 19, 1972. Retrieved October 22, 2020