The franchise has experienced three major periods of success. The first was from 1960 to 1965, when the Chargers were AFL West champions five times and AFL champions once (in 1963).[4] The second was from 1978 to 1982, when the Chargers had five consecutive winning records, four playoff appearances and three division championships.[5] The most recent spell of sustained success ranged from 2004 to 2009, with the franchise reaching the playoffs five times in six years, each time as the AFC West champion.[6] This run included their best regular season record, as they went 14–2 in 2006.[7] Their only Super Bowl appearance was in 1994 (a loss to the San Francisco 49ers)[8]
The Chargers have also experienced three notable periods of decline. For the thirteen seasons between 1965 and 1977 the Chargers never reached the postseason; they failed to post a winning record through their first eight years in the NFL (1970–77) and finished last in their division for four consecutive years from 1972 to 1975.[9] From 1983 to 1991, they never placed higher than third in their division and did not make the playoffs.[7] From 1996 to 2003, the team had no winning seasons, and posted their worst record to date, going 1–15 in 2000.[7]
The Chargers have been division champions fourteen times: five in the AFL West and nine in the AFC West. As of the end of the 2023 season, the Chargers have played 64 seasons, with a cumulative record of 483–489–11 in the regular season and 12–19 in the postseason.[7]
^The 1982 season was reduced to nine games by a players strike; instead of standard divisional play, the AFC teams were placed together in one fourteen-team division.[16]
^The 1987 season was reduced to nine games by a players strike.[19]
^"Chargers fly high---and Lowe, 37–26". Los Angeles Times. UPI. December 13, 1965. p. III-8. Archived from the original on July 7, 2022. Retrieved January 25, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
^"Last minute factors". Scranton Times-Tribune. January 9, 1983. p. C-7. Archived from the original on January 25, 2024. Retrieved January 25, 2024.
^Martin, Kimberley A. (January 12, 2010). "Tall order for Jets' defense". New York Newsday. p. A46. Archived from the original on January 25, 2024. Retrieved January 25, 2024.
^"Charger fans find solace in season". Bridgewater Courier-News. AP. January 30, 1994. p. C-2. Archived from the original on December 10, 2023. Retrieved January 25, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
^Lowitt, Bruce (December 24, 1979). "Oilers, Eagles pass first tests". Lexington Herald-Leader. p. B-1. Archived from the original on January 25, 2024. Retrieved January 25, 2024.
^Posner, Jay (October 20, 1987). "First-place team tries out driver's seat". Escondido Times-Advocate. p. D2. Archived from the original on December 27, 2023. Retrieved January 25, 2024 – via newspapers.com.
