2015 San Diego Chargers season

The 2015 season was the San Diego Chargers' 46th in the National Football League, 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.

2015 San Diego Chargers season
OwnerAlex Spanos
General managerTom Telesco
Head coachMike McCoy
Home fieldQualcomm Stadium
Local radioKIOZ, KLSD
Results
Record4–12
Division place4th AFC West
Playoff finishDid not qualify
Pro Bowlers
1
AP All-ProsNone

Offseason

Signings
PositionPlayer2014 TeamContract
GOrlando FranklinDenver Broncos5 years, $36.5 million
WRStevie JohnsonSan Francisco 49ers3 years, $10.5 million
DBJimmy WilsonMiami Dolphins2 years, $4.25 million
CBPatrick RobinsonNew Orleans Saints1 year, $2 million
DEMitch UnreinDenver Broncos2 years, $1.9 million
RTJoe BarksdaleSt. Louis Rams1 year, $1.095 million
LTChris HairstonBuffalo Bills1 year, $685,000

Departures
PositionPlayer2015 Team
SSMarcus GilchristNew York Jets
CNick HardwickRetired
WREddie RoyalChicago Bears
RBRyan MathewsPhiladelphia Eagles
DEDwight FreeneyArizona Cardinals
GJeromey ClaryRetired
OLBAndrew GachkarDallas Cowboys
CBShareece WrightSan Francisco 49ers
KNick NovakHouston Texans
RBRonnie BrownRetired
WRSeyi AjirotutuPhiladelphia Eagles

Draft
Main article: 2015 NFL draft
2015 San Diego Chargers draft
Round Pick Player Position College Notes
1 15 Melvin Gordon *  RB Wisconsin
2 48 Denzel Perryman *  LB Miami (FL)
3 83 Craig Mager  CB Texas St
4 None – see draft trades below
5 153 Kyle Emanuel  DE North Dakota St
6 192 Darius Philon  DT Arkansas
7 None – see draft trades below
      Made roster    †   Pro Football Hall of Fame    *   Made at least one Pro Bowl during career

Notes

Staff
2015 San Diego Chargers staff
Front office
  • Owner – Alex Spanos
  • Minority owner – George Pernicano
  • Chairman/president – Dean Spanos
  • Executive vice president – Michael Spanos
  • CEO/president - Business Operations – A. G. Spanos
  • general manager – Tom Telesco
  • President - football operations – John Spanos
  • Executive vice president of football administration/player finance – Ed McGuire
  • Senior executive – Randy Mueller
  • Director of pro scouting – Dennis Abraham
  • Director of player personnel – JoJo Wooden
  • Director of college scouting – Kevin Kelly
  • Assistant director of pro scouting – Bryan Cox

Head coaches

Offensive coaches

 Defensive coaches

Special teams coaches

Strength and conditioning

  • Strength and conditioning – Kent Johnston
  • Assistant strength and conditioning – Rick Lyle
  • Coaching administrative assistant – Mark Ridgley

Final roster
2015 San Diego Chargers final roster
Quarterbacks

Running backs

Wide receivers

Tight ends

 Offensive linemen

Defensive linemen

 Linebackers

Defensive backs

Special teams

 Reserve lists


Practice squad


Rookies in italics
 53 active, 15 inactive, 10 practice squad

Schedule

Preseason
Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Recap
1 August 13 Dallas Cowboys W 17–7 1–0 Qualcomm Stadium Recap
2 August 22 at Arizona Cardinals W 22–19 2–0 University of Phoenix Stadium Recap
3 August 29 Seattle Seahawks L 15–16 2–1 Qualcomm Stadium Recap
4 September 3 at San Francisco 49ers L 12–14 2–2 Levi's Stadium Recap

Regular season
Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Recap
1 September 13 Detroit Lions W 33–28 1–0 Qualcomm Stadium Recap
2 September 20 at Cincinnati Bengals L 19–24 1–1 Paul Brown Stadium Recap
3 September 27 at Minnesota Vikings L 14–31 1–2 TCF Bank Stadium Recap
4 October 4 Cleveland Browns W 30–27 2–2 Qualcomm Stadium Recap
5 October 12 Pittsburgh Steelers L 20–24 2–3 Qualcomm Stadium Recap
6 October 18 at Green Bay Packers L 20–27 2–4 Lambeau Field Recap
7 October 25 Oakland Raiders L 29–37 2–5 Qualcomm Stadium Recap
8 November 1 at Baltimore Ravens L 26–29 2–6 M&T Bank Stadium Recap
9 November 9 Chicago Bears L 19–22 2–7 Qualcomm Stadium Recap
10 Bye
11 November 22 Kansas City Chiefs L 3–33 2–8 Qualcomm Stadium Recap
12 November 29 at Jacksonville Jaguars W 31–25 3–8 EverBank Field Recap
13 December 6 Denver Broncos L 3–17 3–9 Qualcomm Stadium Recap
14 December 13 at Kansas City Chiefs L 3–10 3–10 Arrowhead Stadium Recap
15 December 20 Miami Dolphins W 30–14 4–10 Qualcomm Stadium Recap
16 December 24 at Oakland Raiders L 20–23 (OT) 4–11 O.co Coliseum Recap
17 January 3 at Denver Broncos L 20–27 4–12 Sports Authority Field at Mile High Recap

Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.

Week 1: vs. Detroit Lions
Week One: Detroit Lions at San Diego Chargers – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Lions 7 14 0728
Chargers 3 7 101333

at Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego, California

Game information

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
Week Two: San Diego Chargers at Cincinnati Bengals – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Chargers 3 3 7619
Bengals 7 7 3724

at Paul Brown Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio

Game information

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
Week Three: San Diego Chargers at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Chargers 0 7 0714
Vikings 3 7 14731

at TCF Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, Minnesota

  • Date: September 27
  • Game time: 12:00 p.m. CDT/10:00 am. PDT
  • Game weather: 75 °F (24 °C), sunny
  • Game attendance: 52,400
  • Referee: Terry McAulay
  • TV announcers (CBS): Ian Eagle, Dan Fouts and Evan Washburn
  • Recap, Gamebook
Game information

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
Week Four: Cleveland Browns at San Diego Chargers – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Browns 3 10 31127
Chargers 7 6 71030

at Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego, California

Game information

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
Week Five: Pittsburgh Steelers at San Diego Chargers – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Steelers 0 3 71424
Chargers 7 0 01320

at Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego, California

Game information

The Chargers took the lead after Josh Lambo made a 54-yard field goal with 2:56 remaining in the game. However, the Steelers, lead 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
Week Six: San Diego Chargers at Green Bay Packers – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Chargers 3 7 7320
Packers 14 3 7327

at Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisconsin

Game information

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
Week Seven: Oakland Raiders at San Diego Chargers – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Raiders 10 20 7037
Chargers 3 3 02329

at Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego, California

  • Date: October 25
  • Game time: 1:05 pm. PDT
  • Game weather: 77 °F (25 °C), sunny
  • Game attendance: 67,542
  • Referee: Jerome Boger
  • TV announcers (CBS): Andrew Catalon, Steve Beuerlein and Steve Tasker
  • Recap, Gamebook
Game information

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
Week Eight: San Diego Chargers at Baltimore Ravens – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Chargers 3 13 7326
Ravens 6 7 61029

at M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, Maryland

Game information

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
Week Nine: Chicago Bears at San Diego Chargers – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Bears 0 7 01522
Chargers 7 9 0319

at Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego, California

  • Date: November 9
  • Game time: 5:30 pm. PST
  • Game weather: 63 °F (17 °C), cloudy
  • Game attendance: 68,033
  • Referee: Craig Wrolstad
  • TV announcers (ESPN): Mike Tirico, Jon Gruden and Lisa Salters
  • Recap, Gamebook
Game information

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
Week Eleven: Kansas City Chiefs at San Diego Chargers – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Chiefs 6 6 71433
Chargers 0 3 003

at Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego, California

Game information

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
Week Twelve: San Diego Chargers at Jacksonville Jaguars – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Chargers 0 21 3731
Jaguars 6 3 31325

at EverBank Field, Jacksonville, Florida

  • Date: November 29
  • Game time: 1:00 pm. EST/10:00 am. PST
  • Game weather: 75 °F (24 °C), sunny
  • Game attendance: 59,477
  • Referee: Jerome Boger
  • TV announcers (CBS): Spero Dedes and Solomon Wilcots
  • Recap, Gamebook
Game information

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
Week Thirteen: Denver Broncos at San Diego Chargers – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Broncos 14 3 0017
Chargers 0 3 003

at Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego, California

Game information

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
Week Fourteen: San Diego Chargers at Kansas City Chiefs – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Chargers 0 0 303
Chiefs 0 10 0010

at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri

  • Date: December 13
  • Game time: 12:00 pm. CST/10:00 am. PST
  • Game weather: 61 °F (16 °C), cloudy with rain
  • Game attendance: 72,314
  • Referee: Pete Morelli
  • TV announcers (CBS): Andrew Catalon, Steve Beuerlein and Steve Tasker
  • Recap, Gamebook
Game information

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
Week Fifteen: Miami Dolphins at San Diego Chargers – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Dolphins 0 0 7714
Chargers 6 17 0730

at Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego, California

  • Date: December 20
  • Game time: 1:25 pm. PST
  • Game weather: 61 °F (16 °C), fair
  • Game attendance: 66,676
  • Referee: John Hussey
  • TV announcers (CBS): Andrew Catalon, Steve Beuerlein, Steve Tasker and Scott Kaplan
  • Recap, Gamebook
Game information

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
Week Sixteen: San Diego Chargers at Oakland Raiders – Game summary
Period 1 2 34OTTotal
Chargers 7 10 03020
Raiders 7 3 28323

at O.co Coliseum, Oakland, California

Game information

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
Week Seventeen: San Diego Chargers at Denver Broncos – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Chargers 3 3 7720
Broncos 7 0 71327

at Sports Authority Field at Mile High, Denver, Colorado

  • Date: January 3, 2016
  • Game time: 2:25 p.m. MST/1:25 pm. PST
  • Game weather: 50 °F (10 °C), mostly sunny
  • Game attendance: 76,844
  • Referee: Ron Torbert
  • TV announcers (CBS): Jim Nantz, Phil Simms and Tracy Wolfson
  • Recap, Gamebook
Game information

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

Division
AFC West
W L T PCT DIV CONF PF PA STK
(1) Denver Broncos 12 4 0 .750 4–2 8–4 355 296 W2
(5) Kansas City Chiefs 11 5 0 .688 5–1 10–2 405 287 W10
Oakland Raiders 7 9 0 .438 3–3 7–5 359 399 L1
San Diego Chargers 4 12 0 .250 0–6 3–9 320 398 L2

Conference
AFC
# Team Division W L T PCT DIV CONF SOS SOV STK
Division Leaders
1[lower-alpha 1] Denver Broncos West 12 4 0 .750 4–2 8–4 .500 .479 W2
2[lower-alpha 1] New England Patriots East 12 4 0 .750 4–2 9–3 .473 .448 L2
3[lower-alpha 1] Cincinnati Bengals North 12 4 0 .750 5–1 9–3 .477 .406 W1
4 Houston Texans South 9 7 0 .563 5–1 7–5 .496 .410 W3
Wild Cards
5 Kansas City Chiefs West 11 5 0 .688 5–1 10–2 .496 .432 W10
6[lower-alpha 2] Pittsburgh Steelers North 10 6 0 .625 3–3 7–5 .504 .463 W1
Did not qualify for the postseason
7[lower-alpha 2] New York Jets East 10 6 0 .625 3–3 7–5 .441 .388 L1
8[lower-alpha 3] Buffalo Bills East 8 8 0 .500 4–2 7–5 .508 .438 W2
9[lower-alpha 3] Indianapolis Colts South 8 8 0 .500 4–2 6–6 .500 .406 W2
10 Oakland Raiders West 7 9 0 .438 3–3 7–5 .512 .366 L1
11 Miami Dolphins East 6 10 0 .375 1–5 4–8 .469 .469 W2
12[lower-alpha 4] Jacksonville Jaguars South 5 11 0 .313 2–4 5–7 .473 .375 L3
13[lower-alpha 4] Baltimore Ravens North 5 11 0 .313 3–3 4–8 .508 .425 L1
14 San Diego Chargers West 4 12 0 .250 0–6 3–9 .527 .328 L2
15[lower-alpha 5] Cleveland Browns North 3 13 0 .188 1–5 2–10 .531 .271 L3
16[lower-alpha 5] Tennessee Titans South 3 13 0 .188 1–5 1–11 .492 .375 L4
Tiebreakers[lower-alpha 6]
  1. Denver finished ahead of New England and Cincinnati for the No. 1 seed based on head-to-head sweep. New England finished ahead of Cincinnati for the No. 2 seed based
    on record vs. common opponents — New England's cumulative record against Buffalo, Denver, Houston and Pittsburgh was 4–1, while Cincinnati's cumulative record against
    the same four teams was 2–3.
  2. Pittsburgh finished ahead of the New York Jets for the No. 6 seed and qualified for the last playoff spot based on record vs. common opponents — Pittsburgh's cumulative
    record against Cleveland, Indianapolis, New England and Oakland was 4–1, while the Jets' cumulative record against the same four teams was 3–2.
  3. Buffalo finished ahead of Indianapolis based on head-to-head victory.
  4. Jacksonville finished ahead of Baltimore based on head-to-head victory.
  5. Cleveland finished ahead of Tennessee based on head-to-head victory.
  6. When breaking ties for three or more teams under the NFL's rules, they are first broken within divisions, then comparing only the highest ranked remaining team from each division.

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