The Chargers have had some great games over the past decade, but which ones were the best? Here are five from the regular season.
The Chargers enter the final year of the 2010’s seeking a Super Bowl title for the first time in franchise history. Though a title was not earned this decade, there were a number of memorable games along the way. Not included today are postseason wins; these next five games are all from the regular season (from 2010 to the present) and represent the best of what it meant to cheer for the Chargers.
Memories of the fifth game will bring back tears…
Chargers introduce Keenan Allen on national television
Before the Chiefs went on to dominate the Chargers, it was the Denver Broncos that had the team’s number. Four losses straight losses heading into the game, and (unfortunately) five straight losses thereafter. On Thursday Night Football, the Chargers traveled to Denver as a 6-7 squad ready to take on the 11-2 eventual AFC Champions.
The Chargers were down 3-10 at the end of the first quarter and were looking for something, anything, to give them a spark to life them over their AFC West rivals. And boy did they get one.
FINAL – Chargers upset the Broncos 27-20 at Mile High.
Keenan Allen: 2 catches, 2 touchdowns, 1 impressive hurdle. pic.twitter.com/LOf2PzzKcD
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) December 13, 2013
This was a Chargers team that endured seasons of 9-7, 8-8, and 7-9 in the three years prior to 2013, with fans watching as their favorite franchise drifted from AFC powerhouse to mediocrity with every passing season. No, the Chargers would not return to that same glory following this game, though it did help them make the postseason. In that moment, the Chargers were alive again, and one Thomas Keiser interception of Peyton Manning later, Philip Rivers delivered one of the best post-game interviews of all time in a Bolo Tie and snakeskin boots.
He just really likes to play football.