The 2007 season was the San Diego Chargers' 38th in the National Football League (NFL) and their 48th overall. After four games, the team failed to equal their 14–2 2006 regular season record, as they immediately stumbled to a bad 1–3 start under new head coach Norv Turner. However, they finished the regular season strongly by winning 10 of 12 games (including their final six games) to take the AFC West title. The Chargers went further in the playoffs than the previous year, but fell again to the New England Patriots, this time in the AFC Championship game. For the second consecutive season, star running back LaDainian Tomlinson led the NFL in rushing with 1,474 yards. In the offseason, the Chargers introduced a new logo, with the lightning bolt changing to yellow with bright blue and regular blue outlines. It would be their logo for 10 years. As of 2024, this season remains the most recent appearance for the Chargers in the AFC championship game.
Offseason
After a postseason loss to the New England Patriots, offensive and defensive coordinators Cam Cameron and Wade Phillips left for new coaching jobs with the Miami Dolphins and Dallas Cowboys respectively. Marty Schottenheimer, after originally being told he would stay as head coach, was fired in February.Chargers fire Marty Schottenheimer Fox Sports. Accessed July 25, 2007. Replacing Schottenheimer was Norv Turner, who was signed to take over the helm later in the month.Chargers hire Turner as new head coach ESPN. Accessed July 25, 2007. Turner, who installed the Chargers offensive set when he was their offensive coordinator in 2001,Norv Turner's Career At A Glance KPIX-TV. Accessed July 20, 2007. was selected to be the head coach largely because he was expected to maintain the offensive game plan that led the team to its best regular season record in team history. Chargers All-time roster. Accessed July 25, 2007. Turner also agreed with general manager A. J. Smith on the hiring of defensive coordinator Ted Cottrell, who had worked with Phillips when both were with the Buffalo Bills and later was the defensive coordinator with the Bills.Ted Cottrell Profile Scout.com. Accessed July 25, 2007. Chicago Bears defensive coordinator Ron Rivera, who interviewed for the Chargers' head coaching job, was hired to coach the Chargers' linebackers instead. Smith also re-signed Charger free agent offensive guard Kris Dielman to a six-year contract that will virtually guarantee him almost $17 million and put him around $40 million over the life of the deal.Contract Tracker Chargers Football Xtra. Accessed July 25, 2007. Linebacker Donnie Edwards was not offered a contract and signed with his former team, the Kansas City Chiefs.Dielman decides not to bolt Chargers San Diego Union Tribune. Accessed July 2, 2007. The Chargers released veteran wide receiver Keenan McCardell during the offseason along with safety Terrence Kiel.CFX – Chargers Football Xtra: Chargers Release SixNFL PlayersNFL Players
Draft
The Chargers started out by making the 30th overall pick in the 2007 NFL draft due to their 14–2 season in 2006. They selected Craig Davis out of Louisiana State University. In the second round, the Chargers made a trade with the Bears in order to move up and select safety Eric Weddle at slot 37#. He was selected as a possible replacement to Terrence Kiel, who was released earlier in the off-season following his arrest on drug charges during the 2006 season. The Chargers exchanged their second round selection in 2007 as well as third round, fifth round and 2008 third round selection. The Chargers also selected linebacker Anthony Waters from Clemson University, who missed his senior season due to a leg injury.Anthony Waters Prospect Profile NFL.com. Accessed July 25, 2007.
Supplemental draft
Staff San Diego Chargers 2007 staff Front office Owner – Alex Spanos President/CEO – Dean Spanos Executive vice president – Michael Spanos Executive vice president/executive officer – A. G. Spanos Executive vice president/general manager – A. J. Smith Assistant General manager - Director of player personnel - Buddy Nix Vice president of football operations – Ed McGuire Director of pro scouting – Dennis Abraham Director of college scouting – Jimmy Raye Assistant director of college scouting – John Spanos
Head coaches Head coach – Norv Turner Assistant to the Head Coach – Margie Smith
Offensive coaches Offensive coordinator – Clarence Shelmon Quarterbacks – John Ramsdell Running backs – Matt Simon Wide receivers – James Lofton Tight ends - Clancy Barone Offensive line – Hal Hunter Offensive line – Jack Henry Defensive coaches Defensive coordinator – Ted Cottrell Defensive line – Wayne Nunnely Inside linebackers - Ron Rivera Outside linebackers – John Pagano Secondary – Bill Bradley Assistant secondary/Defensive quality control – Kevin Ross
Special teams coaches Special teams – Steve Crosby
Strength and conditioning Strength and conditioning – Jeff Hurd Assistant strength and conditioning – Vernon Stephens
Roster
Preseason Schedule Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Recap 1 Seattle Seahawks L 16–24 0–1 Qualcomm Stadium Recap 2 St. Louis Rams W 30–13 1–1 Edward Jones Dome Recap 3 Arizona Cardinals W 33–31 2–1 University of Phoenix Stadium Recap 4 San Francisco 49ers W 16–13 3–1 Qualcomm Stadium Recap
Regular season
Schedule Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Recap 1 September 9 Chicago Bears W 14–3 1–0 Qualcomm Stadium Recap 2 September 16 at New England Patriots L 14–38 1–1 Gillette Stadium Recap 3 September 23 at Green Bay Packers L 24–31 1–2 Lambeau Field Recap 4 September 30 Kansas City Chiefs L 16–30 1–3 Qualcomm Stadium Recap 5 October 7 at Denver Broncos W 41–3 2–3 Invesco Field at Mile High Recap 6 October 14 Oakland Raiders W 28–14 3–3 Qualcomm Stadium Recap 7 Bye 8 October 28 Houston Texans W 35–10 4–3 Qualcomm Stadium Recap 9 November 4 at Minnesota Vikings L 17–354–4 Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome Recap 10 November 11 Indianapolis Colts W 23–21 5–4 Qualcomm Stadium Recap 11 November 18 at Jacksonville Jaguars L 17–24 5–5 Jacksonville Municipal Stadium Recap12 November 25 Baltimore Ravens W 32–14 6–5 Qualcomm Stadium Recap 13 December 2 at Kansas City Chiefs W 24–10 7–5 Arrowhead Stadium Recap 14 December 9 at Tennessee Titans W 23–17 8–5 LP Field Recap15 December 16 Detroit Lions W 51–14 9–5 Qualcomm Stadium Recap 16 Denver Broncos W 23–3 10–5 Qualcomm Stadium Recap 17 December 30 at Oakland RaidersW 30–17 11–5 McAfee Coliseum Recap
Game summaries
Week 1: vs. Chicago Bears
The Chargers began their 2007 campaign at home as they matched up their offensive firepower against the Chicago Bears and their stingy defense. In this defensive slugfest, the Bears held RB LaDainian Tomlinson, the previous year's league MVP, to just 25 yards rushing on 17 attempts, while getting a 27-yard field goal from kicker Robbie Gould in the second quarter. This game also marked the first time since 2001 that the Chargers were shut out in the first half. In the third quarter, San Diego started to bounce back as Tomlinson threw his 7th career touchdown pass to TE Antonio Gates from 17 yards out. In the fourth, Tomlinson delivered the final blow with a 7-yard TD run.
With the win, the Chargers began their season at 1–0.
Week 2: at New England Patriots
Following their low-scoring home win over the Bears, the Chargers flew to Gillette Stadium for a Week 2 Sunday night fight against the New England Patriots in a rematch of last year's AFC Divisional game. In the first quarter, San Diego trailed early as the Patriots took their opening drive and ended it with QB Tom Brady completing a 7-yard TD pass to TE Benjamin Watson. Afterwards, New England continued its opening assault as Brady completed a 23-yard TD pass to WR Randy Moss. In the second quarter, the Chargers continued to show last week's first half struggles as Patriots kicker Stephen Gostkowski getting a 24-yard field goal, while LB Adalius Thomas intercepted one of QB Philip Rivers' passes and returned it 65 yards for a touchdown.
In the third quarter, the Chargers finally managed to score as Rivers completed a 1-yard TD pass to FB Lorenzo Neal, but New England responded with Brady and Moss hooking up with each other again on a 24-yard TD pass. In the fourth quarter, San Diego tried to fight back with Rivers completing a 12-yard TD pass to TE Antonio Gates, but the Patriots ended the game with RB Sammy Morris getting a 3-yard TD run.
RB LaDainian Tomlinson was a non-factor, as he was only able to muster 43 yards on 18 carries. At this point, he was off to a rough start, totalling only 68 rushing yards in the first two games.
With the loss, the Chargers fell to 1–1.
Week 3: at Green Bay Packers
Trying to rebound from their primetime road loss to the Patriots, the Chargers flew to Lambeau Field for Week 3, as they played an interconference game with the Green Bay Packers. In the first quarter, San Diego struck first with QB Philip Rivers completing a 27-yard TD pass to WR Vincent Jackson. The Packers responded with kicker Mason Crosby getting a 28-yard field goal. In the second quarter, Green Bay took the lead with QB Brett Favre completing a pair of 5-yard TD passes, one to WR Donald Driver and one to TE Bubba Franks. The Chargers responded with Rivers completing a 9-yard TD pass to WR Craig Davis.
In the third quarter, the Chargers took the lead with Rivers completing a 21-yard TD pass to RB LaDainian Tomlinson for the only score of the period. However, in the fourth quarter, the Packers retook the lead with Favre's record-tying 57-yard TD pass to WR Greg Jennings, along with RB Brandon Jackson getting a 1-yard TD run. San Diego tried to come back, as kicker Nate Kaeding got a 44-yard field goal. However, the onside kick failed with Green Bay holding on to win.
Notable: Philip Rivers broke a Chargers record completing 15 consecutive passes in the first half. With the loss, the Chargers fell to 1–2.
Week 4: vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Trying to snap a two-game skid, the Chargers went home for an AFC West duel with the Kansas City Chiefs. In the first quarter, San Diego's struggling offense found some life with kicker Nate Kaeding getting a 24-yard field goal, while RB LaDainian Tomlinson got a 5-yard TD run. In the second quarter, the Chargers increased its lead with Kaeding kicking a 51-yard field goal. The Chiefs answered with a 25-yard field goal by Dave Rayner. Afterwards, San Diego ended the half with Kaeding getting a 38-yard field goal. In the third quarter, the Chargers lost their lead, with Kansas City getting a 41-yard field goal from Rayner and QB Damon Huard completing a 22-yard TD pass to TE Tony Gonzalez. Even worse, San Diego ended up losing in the fourth quarter with Huard completing a 51-yard TD pass to WR Dwayne Bowe, along with CB Tyron Brackenridge returning a fumble 50 yards for a touchdown.
With their third-straight loss, the Chargers fell to 1–3.
One of the few positives from the game, Tomlinson finally got his first 100-yard game of the year, with 132 rushing yards on 20 carries.
Week 5: at Denver Broncos
Hoping to rebound from their embarrassing divisional home loss to the Chiefs, the Chargers flew to Invesco Field at Mile High for a Week 5 divisional duel with the Denver Broncos. In the first quarter, San Diego got off to a fast start with QB Philip Rivers getting a 2-yard TD run. Immediately afterwards on the ensuing kickoff, rookie LB Brandon Siler returned a fumble 23 yards for a touchdown. In the second quarter, the Chargers increased its lead with kicker Nate Kaeding getting a 26-yard field goal. Afterwards, the Broncos got their only score of the game with kicker Jason Elam getting a 30-yard field goal. San Diego ended the half with Kaeding nailing a 45-yard field goal.