1961 San Diego Chargers season

#61 Ernie Barnes blocks for #23 Paul Lowe. On the left, largely obscured, are #60 Sam DeLuca and #70 Sherman Plunkett.

The 1961 San Diego Chargers season was the team's second in the American Football League. It was the Chargers' first season in San Diego, where the team remained until 2017. The Chargers clinched the Western Division by mid-November,^[3] winning their first eleven games and moving within four more victories of a perfect season. However, they lost form in December, managing only one victory in their final four games. Like the previous season, the Chargers' season ended with a loss to the Houston Oilers in the AFL championship game, this time 10–3 at Balboa Stadium in San Diego.

San Diego's defense had a historic campaign, setting AFL/NFL records for most total takeaways (66), and most interceptions (49), both of which still stand.

Offseason[]

Relocation[]

The Chargers struggled to attract fans in Los Angeles throughout their opening season. For their first exhibition game, the attendance was 27,778, well short of the anticipated 45,000.^[4] Five days later, owner Barron Hilton professed disappointment at a crowd of under 12,000, though he hoped for an increase once the regular season began, especially if Los Angeles fielded a winning team.^[5] In the event, the Chargers pulled under 18,000 for their regular season opener, peaked with 21,805 against the eventual AFL champion Oilers, and mustered fewer than 10,000 against Denver on December 11, the day they clinched their division.^[6][7][8]

Balboa Stadium, as it appeared in the 1930s - its capacity was increased from 23,000 to 34,000 to accommodate the Chargers

Over their seven regular season home games, the Chargers averaged 15,768. By contrast, the Los Angeles Rams of the NFL pulled in over 77,000 fans for a game late in a mediocre 4–7–1 campaign.^[9] The 1960 AFL Championship Game was moved from the Los Angeles Coliseum to Houston's Jeppesen Stadium with Sid Gillman's consent, amid fears that broadcasters might be put off by rows of empty seats in the showpiece game. Gillman later quipped, "It would have been the first championship game ever played for the personal amusement of bellhops and players' wives."^[10] Funding the team proved a major financial drain for Hilton, with losses estimated at $900,000 from their founding through to the end of the 1960 season.^[11]

With the Chargers failing to make an impact in Los Angeles, San Diego was rumoured as a likely alternative location for the team as early as December of 1960, with the AFL Title game still to be played.^[12][13] Balboa Stadium was proposed as a venue; Hilton expressed concerns over the size of the stadium after surveying it early in January, but was impressed by the enthusiasm of city administration.^[14] Jack Murphy, a journalist with the San Diego Union, was instrumental in building local enthusiasm for the Chargers;^[15] by late January, advanced ticket sales stood at approximately 24,000.^[16] Hilton met with San Diego City Council on January 25, agreeing a contract that would see renovations to Balboa Stadium.^[11] The San Diego Chargers were officially born on February 10, when the AFL owners voted unanimously to allow the move.^[17]

AFL draft[]

The AFL conducted their draft for the 1961 season in the winter of 1960, with the first six rounds conducted on November 21-22, and the remaining twenty-four on December 5-6. In contrast to the largely randomised AFL draft of 1960,^[18] the 1961 edition employed a 30-round structure, with the Chargers choosing seventh in each round. Having received the Texans' sixth-round pick in a trade, they had 31 picks in total.^[19]

Despite having to compete with NFL clubs to secure the services of many of their draft class, the Chargers acquired several players who would start with them for years. Their first-round pick, Earl Faison, was keen to play in California, hoping for both better weather and a better racial climate than he had experienced at Indiana.^[20] He would go to the AFL All-Star game in each of his five full seasons in San Diego, and be voted a first-team All-Pro in four of them.^[21] San Diego also signed their second-round pick, running back Keith Lincoln, after a winning a three-way race for his signature with the Chicago Bears and a Canadian team. Lincoln was persuaded by a higher salary, the presence of Sid Gillman and, having played college football at Washington State, the opportunity to stay on the west coast.^[22] He would go on to play six seasons in San Diego, with four All-Star games, two first-team All-Pro selections, and an MVP performance in the 1963 AFL Championship Game.^[23]

Other successes came from further down the draft. Ernie Ladd, selected in the fifteen round, joined Faison on the defensive line. In five seasons with the Chargers, he appeared in four All-Star games, and was a three-time first-team All-Pro.^[24] In the next round, they chose defensive back Bud Whitehead, who would spend his entire eight-year career in San Diego.^[25] Linebacker Chuck Allen was selected by the Rams in the NFL draft. He chose to play in the AFL, feeling he would see more playing time in the newer league. Over the next nine seasons, he played in over 100 games for the Chargers, and featured in two All-Star games.^[26][27]

San Diego also suffered numerous defeats in the bidding war with NFL clubs, including a notable pair of UCLA alumni who signed with the 49ers: Billy Kilmer, who went on to start at quarterback for Washington in Super Bowl VII,^[28] and Jimmy Johnson, who stayed in San Francisco for his entire sixteen-year career, and was enshrined in the Hall of Fame in 1994.^[29][30]

Departures[]

Several of the 1960 Chargers squad did not join the team in their new city. Veteran kicker Ben Agajanian didn't want to move away from his business interests in Los Angeles, though he did help coach Keith Lincoln as a kicker.^[31] Guard Fred Cole had started every game the previous year, but retired to become an engineer.^[32] Gillman traded several players, including starting defensive tackle Volney Peters, in exchange for picks in the 1962 AFL Draft. San Diego eventually made eleven selections in the first seven rounds of that draft.^[33][34]

Arrivals[]

While most of the Chargers' new recruits came to them through the draft, they did acquire a defensive tackle with two years' experience. Hank Schmidt had been cut by the NFL's 49ers in training camp - he was contacted by Jack Kemp, who knew Schmidt from his own time in San Francisco, and signed with the Chargers.^[35] Another signing was Bo Roberson, an Olympic long jumper fresh from taking silver in the 1960 games.^[36] A receiver later in his career, Roberson was used primarily as a running back in San Diego.^[37]

Personnel[]

Staff[]

Roster[]

Preseason[]

The Chargers' first exhibition game in San Diego drew a crowd of a little over 12,000, close to the reduced capacity of Balboa Stadium, which was in the process of begin renovated. They defeated the Oilers 27–14, in a rematch of the first AFL title game. Paul Lowe and Dave Kocourek scored touchdowns of over 70 yards, and Bo Roberson added a third.^[42] The teams met again twelve days later in Honolulu: San Diego jumped out to a 39–0 halftime lead, gave up four touchdowns in ten minutes, then clinched the win with their seventh rushing touchdown; Roberson scored three of them.^[43] Next, the Chargers returned home for a 35–7 victory over the Raiders. Lowe scored on a 72-yard punt return, rookie Keith Lincoln took a short pass from Jack Kemp 63 yards for another touchdown, and Earl Faison got on the scoresheet with a safety.^[44] A week later, Lowe again ran a punt back 72 yards for a touchdown; Lowe, Kemp and Roberson added further touchdowns as San Diego led 28–0 at halftime, eventually winning 31–10 to complete an unbeaten preseason.^[45]

^[46]

Regular season[]

Overview[]

Dick Harris ran three of his seven interceptions back for touchdowns

San Diego proved a more welcoming city for the Chargers, with an average home attendance of 27,859 during the regular season, over 12,000 more than it had been in Los Angeles.^[9][47] Barron Hilton still reported a loss on the year, albeit a greatly reduced one of between $250,000 and $300,000.^[48]

On the field, the Chargers retained many of their offensive stars from the previous season. Jack Kemp was again ranked second in the league for passing yardage (2,686), but his completion percentage fell below 50%, and he threw only 15 touchdowns against 22 interceptions.^[49] Only 4 of these interceptions came in the first seven games of the season, against 18 in the next seven; he threw a further 4 picks in the AFL title game.^[50] While Paul Lowe didn't quite match his impact of the previous season, he still ranked 4th in the league for rushing yards (767), and joint first for rushing touchdowns (nine).^[51] Flanker Dave Kocourek became the club's first 1,000 yard receiver with 55 catches for 1,055 yards, while Don Norton added 47 catches and 816 yards.^[49]

On defense, the 1961 Chargers set a modern-era pro football record with 66 takeaways, the most in AFL or NFL history.^[52] The Chargers also recorded the most interceptions returned for a touchdown in both league histories with nine, with the team recording a total of 49 interceptions for 929 yards, also records.^[53] Charlie McNeil led the team with nine interceptions, which stood as a club record until Antonio Cromartie broke it 46 years later.^[54] Bob Zeman had eight interceptions and Dick Harris had seven, returning three for touchdowns (still a club record).^[55] By contrast, only one Charger managed more than six interceptions in a season throughout the entire 1970s (Bryant Salter, 1972).^[56] Defensive end Ron Nery was unofficially credited with 8 quarterback sacks, again leading the team. Beyond Nery, the defensive line saw an overhaul, with rookies Earl Faison, Bill Hudson and Ernie Ladd starting every game. Middle linebacker Chuck Allen and cornerback Claude Gibson, also new draftees, saw significant action.^[49] A further rookie, George Blair, doubled up as defensive back and kicker. His field goal conversion percentage was below 50% (he made 13 of 27), but still third best in the league, as was Paul Maguire's average yards per punt.^[57]

Linebacker Bob Laraba had five interceptions and scored three touchdowns, including one on offense. He died in a car accident shortly after the season ended, at the age of just 28.^[58]

Schedule[]

Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.

Game summaries[]

Week 1: at Dallas Texans[]

Six takeaways and a pair of long runs were key as San Diego defeated their closest divisional rivals from the previous season. Following an exchange of punts, Paul Lowe benefited from a key Ron Mix block as he broke away for an 87-yard touchdown. It set a club record for longest run that has since been tied, but not surpassed.^[59] New kicker George Blair missed the extra point, but kicked a pair of field goals in the first half, while Chuck Allen, Earl Faison and Charlie McNeil each intercepted Dallas quarterback Cotton Davidson.

The Texans managed to pull three points back early in the 4th quarter; they then recovered a Kemp fumble in Charger territory, but Claude Gibson ended the threat with an interception. On the next Texans possession, Emil Karas recovered a fumble at the Dallas 14. Linebacker and occasional quarterback Bob Laraba then lined up under center, running it himself on four of the next six plays, and scoring from the one yard line. Bo Roberson broke away for a 53-yard touchdown run late in the game, and the lone Dallas touchdown came too late to make a difference.

Lowe had no further breakaways after his touchdown run, but still finished with 100 yards from 13 carries.^[60]

Week 2: vs. Oakland Raiders[]

The Chargers' first game in their new city proved a success, as they dominated their Californian rivals throughout. Oakland had lost their opener 55–0, and fared only slightly better here; on the third play of the game, Dick Harris picked off a Tom Flores pass and returned it 41 yards for a touchdown. The Raiders' best chance to score came on their next drive, when they reached the Charger 26 but missed a field goal. San Diego drove 80 yards the other way, Paul Lowe swept around left end for a 2-yard score, and the rout was on.

Bo Roberson and Charlie Flowers rushed for two touchdowns each, giving San Diego a total of five for the game, a franchise record since tied but not surpassed.^[61] Five different players had interceptions, and the Chargers forced six turnovers to none, while outgaining the Raiders 386–106. Oakland only crossed midfield twice in 12 total possessions.^[62]

Week 3: vs. Houston Oilers[]

Charlie McNeil had a record-breaking performance as the Charger won a rematch of the 1960 AFL Championship Game. Houston were threatening to break a 3–3 tie in the 2nd quarter when McNeil intercepted a George Blanda pass at his own 7 yard line, and returned it for 76 yards up the right sideline. Kemp then converted a 4th and inches with a sneak, before hitting Dave Kocourek for a 7-yard touchdown. Blanda's next pass was intercepted at the line of scrimmage by Earl Faison, and Lowe scored within three plays to double the lead. Next, McNeil took a third interception all the way back for a 76-yard touchdown, before Blanda was picked off for the fourth time, by Charlie McNeil, and Luther Hayes had a 37-yard scoring catch to make it 31–3 at the break.

Houston tried backup QB Jacky Lee after halftime. He managed three touchdowns, but also threw two further interceptions and lost a fumble; the Chargers had little difficulty in keeping Houston at bay. One of the interceptions was by McNeil, who finished the game with 177 interception return yards, still an AFL/NFL record.^[63] San Diego had intercepted 15 passes from 6 different quarterbacks in the first three weeks. This continuing defensive success covered up an indifferent offensive display, which saw the Chargers gain 158 yards and earn just seven first downs.^[64]

Week 4: at Buffalo Bills[]

In contrast to the recent glut of takeaways, the Chargers only had two in this game, but both were significant. Only three plays into the game, Harris had his second interception return touchdown of the season, this one covering 56 yards and putting the Chargers ahead to stay. Later in the opening quarter, Kemp was sacked to bring up a 3rd and 14, but responded with a 16-yard scramble to keep the drive going. Lowe broke off a 30-yard touchdown run three plays later, and it was 13–0. Buffalo responded with field goal attempts on their next three drives, though only the first of these was successful. Kemp made a mistake on the stroke of halftime, throwing an interception on 1st and 10. The Bills scored a play later, and added a two point conversion: 13–11 was the halftime score.

San Diego controlled the clock in the third quarter, running 23 plays to the Bills' three, and scoring through Blair field goals on both their drives. After Buffalo missed a field goal, the Bills' offense had one more chance, starting at their own 8 yard line. They picked up three first downs, and reached a 3rd and 11 near midfield, before Faison recovered a fumble to end the threat. Lowe then picked up a first down, and San Diego ran out the clock. The running back carried 22 times on the day, for 128 yards and a touchdown.^[65]

Week 5: at New England Patriots[]

Jack Kemp threw for three touchdowns and ran for another as the Chargers kept their unbeaten start going. He led the Chargers on a 14-play, 80-yard touchdown drive on the game's opening drive, converting two third downs with passes and one with a scramble. Hayes finished the drive with a 12-yard scoring catch. Boston tied the scores, and were soon looking to pin San Diego deep in their own territory, punting from the Charger 45. The kick was blocked, picked up by Bob Zeman, and run back 35 yards for the touchdown that put San Diego ahead to stay.

A 35-yard catch by Don Norton later set up a Blair field goal, before the Patriots scored a special teams touchdown of their own, running the ball back to the end zone when Lowe fumbled a punt return. Kemp responded immediately with a 75-yard touchdown pass to Kocourek. On the next play, Harris claimed an interception; on the play after that, Kemp appeared to have thrown another touchdown, to Norton. The score was nullified by an illegal motion penalty, but the same pair combined for a 30-yard touchdown only three plays later, and it was 31–14 at the break. After Boston pulled seven points back in the 3rd quarter, Kemp put the game away in the 4th, finding Kocourek for what turned into a 65-yard catch and run, before rolling right and scoring himself on a 3rd and goal from the 4.

Kemp completed 12 passes from 24 attempts, for 315 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions, with Kocourek gaining 160 yards and a touchdown from just 3 receptions. Zeman had an interception to go with his special teams touchdown.^[66]

Week 6: at New York Titans[]

In a game where both teams committed five turnovers, San Diego used big passing plays to win. Zeman made the first of four interceptions of Al Dorow in the first quarter, and Kemp completed passes of 31 and 32 yards to backs Flowers and Lowe, before sneaking in from a yard out for a 7–0 lead. Later, Lowe fumbled in Titan territory, and Dorow made amends by leading a 76-yard touchdown drive in which he completed six passes, the final one for a touchdown. Completions of 26 and 28 yards by Kemp set up Blair for a 20-yard field goal to restore the lead. Later in the 2nd quarter, Harris intercepted a long throw by Dorow and returned the ball to the Charger 22. On the ensuing drive, Kemp found Norton for 52 yards up the left sideline, before again sneaking in for a one-yard touchdown.

The Titans turned a Kemp interception into a field goal late in the third quarter, and trailed by only seven points as the teams exchanged punts on the next four possessions. San Diego then put the game away with back-to-back big plays: Kemp found Norton along the left sideline again, this time for 33 yards, and Lowe followed his blockers around right end for 25 yards and a touchdown. Claude Gibson then ran in a two-point conversion, the first ever scored by the Chargers.

Kemp became the first AFL passer to post two consecutive 300-yard games^[67] - he was 15 of 38 for 302 yards, no touchdowns and an interception. Norton had 5 receptions for 121 yards.^[68]

Week 7: at Oakland Raiders[]

San Diego overcame an early deficit to thrash the Raiders a second time. Lowe fumbled an early punt, and Tom Flores capitalised with a touchdown pass four plays later. Oakland then appeared to have forced a punt, but were penalised for roughing the kicker, giving the Chargers a fresh set of downs. Lowe made amends three plays later, shaking off two would-be tacklers on a 35-yard touchdown run. After the Raiders went three-and-out, Lowe immediately scored again, leaving the defense behind with a burst of speed for a 46-yard touchdown. Raider turnovers led to further touchdowns for Norton, Flowers and Kemp, and it was already 34–7 by halftime. Backup quarterback Hunter Ennis came on in the second half and led a 19-play, 86-yard drive in which the Chargers converted five 3rd downs and one 4th down, Ennis himself running in the game's final touchdown.^[69]

As they had in the first game against the Raiders, San Diego rushed for five touchdowns. Lowe carried 11 times for 106 yards and two scores. The Charger defense turned in a dominant performance, with six takeaways, including four interceptions - Gibson had two of them. San Diego allowed only 58 yards of total offense and 2 rushing yards, both still club records.^[70] After four regular season games against Oakland in two seasons, the Chargers had won each time, by a combined 178–55.^[71]

Week 8: vs. Denver Broncos[]

Seven takeaways by the Charger defense were more than enough to overcome five turnovers from the offense, as San Diego shut out the Broncos. Denver weren't short of scoring opportunities, especially in the first half, when six of their seven possessions featured snaps in Charger territory. These drives ended in two missed field goals, two turnovers on downs and, most damagingly, two interceptions that were run back for touchdowns on consecutive drives, with Bob Laraba and Chuck Allen returning their interceptions 57 and 58 yards respectively. Kemp had a particularly rough day with four interceptions, but did manage a 33-yard touchdown to Norton in the 3rd quarter as San Diego pulled away. Keith Lincoln scored his first touchdown as a professional on a 34-yard pass from Enis to complete the scoring.

Allen added a pair of fumble recoveries to his interception return touchdown. Norton caught 5 passes for 103 yards and a touchdown. Paid attendance crossed 30,000 for the first time in a Chargers home game.^[72]

Week 9: vs. New York Titans[]

Amidst the now-familiar glut of turnovers, San Diego won another blowout, though they had to overcome a bad start to do it. Kemp threw interceptions on consecutive attempts in the first half, while New York had two long touchdown drives, converting a 4th down in each. Down 13–0, the Chargers responded with a 9-play, 75-yard touchdown drive, a Kemp keeper getting them back in the game 56 seconds before halftime.

It was the first of seven unanswered touchdowns for San Diego. Gibson's 40-yard punt return set up another one-yard Kemp run, then Zemen's interception was followed immediately by Lowe's 67-yard breakaway for another score. Norton added a 13-yard touchdown on the next Charger drive, before Charlie McNeil completed a 28-point 3rd quarter with an interception of Al Dorow and 41-yard touchdown return. With New York continuing to give the ball away in the 4th quarter, Enis came in and rushed for one score before finding Hayes for another.

Lowe had 9 carries for 110 yards and a touchdown. Allen continued his good form, snagging two of the Chargers' five picks, but broke his ankle while returning the second of these and missed the rest of the season.^[73] With their nearest rivals, the Dallas Texans, standing at 3–5, San Diego needed only one win from five to repeat as division champions.^[74]

Week 10: at Denver Broncos[]

The Chargers clinched the AFL West by edging the Broncos in a Denver snowstorm. The Broncos outgained San Diego 157–32 in the first half, scoring on 4th and goal from inside the one, and getting a further two points when Laraba put a long snap over punter Maguire's head for a safety. Kemp threw an end zone interception to end the Chargers' best chance before the break.

Two big plays turned the game in the 3rd quarter. On 3rd and 15 from the Charger 9, Lincoln took a Kemp pass 91 yards to set a new Charger record for longest touchdown from scrimmage - this record would stand for 33 years.^[75] Bronco's QB Frank Tripucka threw his third interception three plays later - Dick Harris was the beneficiary, returning the ball 30 yards for his third such touchdown of the season. Following these touchdowns, one extra point attempt was foiled by a bad snap, and the other was missed by Laraba, leaving the score at 12–9. Tripucka managed a long touchdown pass of his own early in the 4th quarter, an 87-yarder to restore Denver's lead. Kemp dropped back to pass on every play of the Chargers' response, getting sacked once but completing 5 of 7 for 74 yards and a touchdown to Bob Scarpitto.

A Zeman interception stopped the next Denver drive; the Broncos were then pinned on their own 1, and forced to punt from there after three incompletions. A 20-yard punt return by Gibson set the Chargers up at the Denver 15, but Kocourek's touchdown catch was ruled out by penalty before Kemp threw an interception on 4th down. Starting at their own five with 2:04 on the clock and two timeouts, the Broncos made slow progress, converting a 4th down to stay alive but only getting as far as their 47 yard line, from where Tripucka threw incomplete as time expired.

Denver finished with a 358–209 yardage advantage. They had two 100-yard receivers (Al Frazier and Lionel Taylor) but Tripucka was intercepted by five different Chargers. Lincoln rushed 4 times for 36 yards, and caught 3 passes for 97 yards and a touchdown.^[76]

Week 11: vs. Dallas Texans[]

Jack Kemp completed several long passes as the Chargers won their 15th consecutive regular season game, still a club record.^[77] After Blair missed from 39 yards on the game's opening possession, Norton's 34 yard catch set up for another chance, which he converted. One play after the Texans went three-and-out, Kocourek took a screen pass 61 yards for a touchdown, benefitting from Sherman Plunkett's key downfield block. Later in the quarter, Laraba picked off a Cotton Davidson pass and returned it 61 yards for a touchdown and 17–0 lead. It was San Diego's fourth consecutive game with at least one interception return touchdown.

Davidson scored on a keeper on the first drive of the second half. Kemp found Norton for 42 yards in response, but fumbled on the next play, and Dallas recovered. The Chargers had turnovers on their next two drives as well, but the defense kept Dallas from converting the errors into points. A Zeman interception early in the 4th quarter was followed three plays later by Scarpitto's 53-yard touchdown catch, and the Chargers weren't troubled again.

Kemp was 15 of 27 for 357 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. Kocourek caught 7 passes for 169 yards and a touchdown, while Norton had 6 catches for 120 yards. The crowd was the largest in San Diego sports history up to that point.^[78]

Week 13: at Houston Oilers[]

San Diego came out of their bye week looking to complete an unbeaten season, but the Oilers were on a winning streak of their own (six in a row), and needed the win to stay a game clear in the AFL East;^[79] inspired by George Blanda, Houston won easily.

Bill Hudson got San Diego off to a good start - he recovered a fumble at the Oiler 12, and Norton scored two plays later. The Charger offense sputtered from there, only crossing midfield twice in their next ten possessions, while Blanda took charge. The Oilers' kicker/quarterback threw two touchdowns in the 1st quarter and two more in the 3rd. In between, he made a pair of field goals, including a 55-yarder - this would stand as the longest in the ten-season run of the AFL.^[80] By the time Kemp and Norton combined for another score, the game had long since gone.^[81]

Norton caught 6 passes for 110 yards and two touchdowns, but was overshadowed by Oiler receiver Charley Hennigan, whose 10 catches for 214 yards and three scores made him the first player to post a 200-yard game against the Chargers.^[82] Blanda was 20 of 33 for 351 yards, four touchdowns and an interception. The solitary interception marked the only time all season the Chargers failed to claim two or more.^[49]

Week 14: vs. Buffalo Bills[]

The Chargers' 10th and 11th return touchdowns of the season saw them win despite gaining only seven first downs. Buffalo's defense accounted for the game's first touchdown, a Kemp fumble being returned 24 yards for an early 10–0 lead. San Diego struck back at the start of the 2nd quarter when Keith Lincoln raced 57 yards down the right sideline for the first punt return touchdown in franchise history.^[83] Shortly before halftime, Earl Faison deflected a pass for Bill Hudson to intercept and return 5 yards for a touchdown, putting the Chargers ahead to stay. In the second half, Lowe's short run and Kocourek's long reception completed the scoring. Buffalo reached the Charger one yard line twice in the final quarter, but turned the ball over on downs each time.

Kocourek finished with 175 yards and a touchdown from just 3 catches.^[84]

Week 15: vs. New England Patriots[]

Most of San Diego's starters played a major part in this game, but they were nonetheless routed at home by a Boston side who had started the day still competing for a place in the AFL title game (in the event, Houston's win in Oakland kept them out).^[85] The Chargers crossed midfield only three times in fifteen possessions, with their best penetration being the Boston 31; they already trailed 24-0 at that point, and it was terminated when Kemp threw one of his four interceptions. Don Webb scored with both an interception return and a blocked punt return, and the Patriots exceeded the margin of their previous road win over the Chargers.

Hayes caught 3 passes for 100 yards, while Harris and Zeman added to San Diego's record-setting interceptions haul, but the Chargers would take little momentum into their second AFL Championship Game.^[86]

Standings[]

Note: Tie games were not officially counted in the standings until 1972.

Playoffs[]

Game summaries[]

AFL Championship Game: Los Angeles Chargers at Houston Oilers[]

Houston repeated as AFL Champions, edging a defensive battle that saw a combined 13 turnovers. Jack Kemp threw four interceptions, including the clincher after reaching the Houston 37 yard line in the final minutes. A George Blair field goal represented the Chargers' only points.

The game was marred by a scuffle at the final whistle, with Bob Zeman knocking field judge Johnny Morrow to the ground as Gillman remonstrated with the official about his conduct of the game.^[87][88]

Team awards[]

Between the final regular season game and the AFL championship game, the Chargers held their first annual awards banquet.^[89]

References[]