1961 San Diego Chargers Game-by-Game Results
Team Record: 12-2
Finishing 1st in the AFL's West Division
Postseason: 0-1 Lost Championship
Coach: Sid Gillman (12-2)
Location: San Diego, California
1961 San Diego Chargers Roster
The San Diego Chargers of the American Football League ended the 1961 season with a record of 12 wins and 2 losses, finishing first in the AFL's West Division. The team compiled a postseason mark of 0-1.
The defense proved to be a force, as the Chargers gave up 219 points, the lowest total in the circuit. San Diego racked up 396 points. Jack Kemp threw for 2,686 yards. Dave Kocourek grabbed 55 passes for 1,055 yards. Don Norton was targeted regularly, too.
Paul Lowe carried the ball for a team-best 767 yards.
The sticky-fingered defense pounced on 66 turnovers. Charlie McNeil intercepted 9 opponent throws.
Sid Gillman coached the team. The 1961 San Diego Chargers lost in the Championship.
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Regular Season Points For: 396
Regular Season Points Against: 219
| Date | Game | Res | Home | Road | Record | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 10, 1961 | San Diego Chargers 26 at Dallas Texans 10 | W | 0-0-0 | 1-0-0 | 1-0-0 | ||
| September 17, 1961 | Oakland Raiders 0 at San Diego Chargers 44 | W | 1-0-0 | 1-0-0 | 2-0-0 | ||
| September 24, 1961 | Houston Oilers 24 at San Diego Chargers 34 | W | 2-0-0 | 1-0-0 | 3-0-0 | ||
| September 30, 1961 | San Diego Chargers 19 at Buffalo Bills 11 | W | 2-0-0 | 2-0-0 | 4-0-0 | ||
| October 7, 1961 | San Diego Chargers 38 at Boston Patriots 27 | W | 2-0-0 | 3-0-0 | 5-0-0 | ||
| October 15, 1961 | San Diego Chargers 25 at New York Titans 10 | W | 2-0-0 | 4-0-0 | 6-0-0 | ||
| October 22, 1961 | San Diego Chargers 41 at Oakland Raiders 10 | W | 2-0-0 | 5-0-0 | 7-0-0 | ||
| October 29, 1961 | Denver Broncos 0 at San Diego Chargers 37 | W | 3-0-0 | 5-0-0 | 8-0-0 | ||
| November 5, 1961 | New York Titans 13 at San Diego Chargers 48 | W | 4-0-0 | 5-0-0 | 9-0-0 | ||
| November 12, 1961 | San Diego Chargers 19 at Denver Broncos 16 | W | 4-0-0 | 6-0-0 | 10-0-0 | ||
| November 19, 1961 | Dallas Texans 14 at San Diego Chargers 24 | W | 5-0-0 | 6-0-0 | 11-0-0 | ||
| December 3, 1961 | San Diego Chargers 13 at Houston Oilers 33 | L | 5-0-0 | 6-1-0 | 11-1-0 | ||
| December 10, 1961 | Buffalo Bills 10 at San Diego Chargers 28 | W | 6-0-0 | 6-1-0 | 12-1-0 | ||
| December 17, 1961 | Boston Patriots 41 at San Diego Chargers 0 | L | 6-1-0 | 6-1-0 | 12-2-0 | ||
| December 24, 1961 | Houston Oilers 10 at San Diego Chargers 3 | L | 0-1-0 | 0-0-0 | 0-1-0 | AFL Championship |
