What Is 1968 San Diego Chargers football team

Overview

The 1968 San Diego Chargers were a professional American football team competing in the American Football League (AFL) during its final years before the AFL-NFL merger. Coached by Sid Gillman, who returned from retirement to lead the team mid-season, the Chargers showed significant improvement from their 1967 campaign, finishing with a 9-5 record.

Despite a strong offensive showing and several standout individual performances, the Chargers narrowly missed the playoffs, finishing second in the AFL West behind the Oakland Raiders. The season highlighted both the team’s resilience and the competitive nature of the AFL during a transitional era in professional football.

• Record: The Chargers finished the 1968 regular season with a 9-5 win-loss record, a marked improvement over their 3-11 record in 1967.
• Division Standing: They placed second in the AFL West Division, behind the 12-1-1 Oakland Raiders, who went on to win the AFL Championship.
• Head Coach: Sid Gillman returned as head coach after a one-year retirement, taking over from interim coach Ron Waller to stabilize the team mid-season.
• Offensive Leader: Quarterback John Hadl had a career year, throwing for 3,018 yards and 27 touchdowns, ranking among the league leaders.
• Key Receiver: Lance Alworth, a future Hall of Famer, recorded 58 receptions for 1,199 yards and 8 touchdowns, maintaining his status as one of the AFL’s top wideouts.

Season Performance

The 1968 Chargers demonstrated a balanced and aggressive offensive approach, relying heavily on their passing game while improving defensively compared to previous seasons. The team played all home games at Balboa Stadium in San Diego, drawing moderate crowds despite missing the postseason.

• Passing Game: John Hadl led the AFL in passing touchdowns with 27, showcasing the Chargers’ high-powered aerial attack under Sid Gillman’s offensive system.
• Receiving Corps: Alworth was supported by rookie sensation Charlie Joiner, who added 45 catches for 687 yards in his debut season.
• Rushing Attack: Paul Lowe and Keith Lincoln shared rushing duties, combining for 1,023 rushing yards and 6 touchdowns on the ground.
• Defensive Improvements: The defense allowed 273 points (19.5 per game), a significant drop from the previous year’s 355 points allowed.
• Close Games: The Chargers lost four games by seven points or fewer, indicating that a few key plays could have changed their playoff fate.

Comparison at a Glance

The 1968 Chargers’ performance can be better understood when compared to division rivals and league leaders in key statistical categories.

The table illustrates that while the Chargers were competitive, they fell short in both win-loss record and point differential compared to the dominant Raiders and Chiefs. Their 345 points scored ranked third in the AFL, but inconsistency in close games and defensive lapses prevented a playoff berth.

Why It Matters

The 1968 season was a pivotal moment in Chargers history, representing both a resurgence under Sid Gillman and a near-miss in the league’s final standalone AFL season before the 1970 merger.

• Transition Era: The 1968 season occurred just two years before the AFL-NFL merger, making it one of the last pure AFL campaigns.
• Legacy of Sid Gillman: Gillman’s return solidified his reputation as a pioneering offensive mind and father of modern passing football.
• Player Development: The emergence of Charlie Joiner signaled the beginning of a new era for the Chargers’ receiving corps.
• Missed Opportunity: Finishing just behind Oakland highlighted the thin margin between success and playoff contention in professional football.
• Historical Context: The team’s performance reflected the growing parity and competitiveness of the AFL during its final years.
• Franchise Momentum: The 1968 season laid groundwork for future competitiveness, influencing roster and coaching decisions into the 1970s.

The 1968 San Diego Chargers remain a notable team in franchise lore—a squad that showed promise, featured future Hall of Famers, and narrowly missed glory during a transformative period in professional football history.