| 1991 San Diego Chargers season | |
|---|---|
| Owner | Alex Spanos |
| General manager | Bobby Beathard |
| Head coach | Dan Henning |
| Home field | Jack Murphy Stadium |
| Results | |
| Record | 4–12 |
| Division place | 5th AFC West |
| Playoff finish | Did not qualify |
| Pro Bowlers | 1
|
| AP All-Pros | None |
The 1991 San Diego Chargers season was the franchise's 22nd season in the National Football League (NFL), their 32nd overall and the third and final season under head coach Dan Henning. The team failed to improve on their 6–10 record in 1990, losing eight of their first nine games and finishing at 4–12, their fourth consecutive losing season.[1]
San Diego's poor record contrasted with a roughly average statistical season.[2] They struggled in close games, going 2–8 when the margin was seven points or fewer; during Henning's reign, they were a cumulative 6–22 in such games.[3] The Chargers did manage some good wins, defeating two teams[note 1] who made the playoffs in 1991, and a third[note 2] who missed the postseason only because of their defeat in San Diego.
Second-year quarterback John Friesz won a preseason battle with Billy Joe Tolliver for the starting role, but struggled throughout the season, throwing more interceptions than touchdowns. The Chargers' passing offense was among the NFL's weakest, but their running game, featuring Marion Butts, Rod Bernstine and Ronnie Harmon, ranked second in the league with over 2,200 yards. San Diego's defense regressed in ranking, dropping from 5th in total yardage the previous year to 19th in 1991. Despite this, Leslie O'Neal, Junior Seau and Gill Byrd again had strong seasons, with Seau voted to the first of 12 consecutive Pro Bowls.
Henning, together with his entire coaching staff, was fired by general manager Bobby Beathard the day after the season ended.[4]
- ^ "Chargers Team Encyclopedia". pro-football-reference.com.
- ^ Schatz, Aaron. "1991 DVOA Ratings and Commentary". Football Outsiders. Archived from the original on June 3, 2023.
- ^ "Chargers, 1989 to 1991, games decided by 7 points or fewer". stathead.com.
- ^ "Chargers' coach, all assistants fired". North County Times. December 24, 1991.
"Article continued". North County Times. December 24, 1991.
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