Said the 2006 edition of Pro Football Prospectus,[3] "The Chargers were one of the worst franchises in the NFL before they hired Don Coryell four games into the 1978 season.
San Diego brought in Lydell Mitchell to strengthen the running game; in each of the three previous seasons, he had rushed for over 1,000 yards with Baltimore.
After the team's third loss in a row, Prothro stayed at the stadium until almost midnight watching game films, and it was during this time that he decided to resign.
However, after disappointing losses to Oakland and Denver and the disaster against Green Bay, I feel a fresh approach and a rude awakening may be what this team needs."
A fumbled snap by Seattle quarterback Jim Zorn then gave San Diego a chance to increase their lead, but Fouts was picked off in the end zone when he looked for Jefferson once more.
Seattle soon reached a 1st and 10 at the Charger 45, whereupon defensive tackle Gary "Big Hands" Johnson made his first career interception, picking off an ill-advised cross-field pass from Zorn and running it back 52 yards for the game's crucial touchdown.
San Diego began on the front foot, seeing a short Benirschke field goal blocked before Pat Curran opened the scoring when he grabbed a deflected Fouts pass in the end zone.
Oakland soon tied the scores, but a pair of Hank Bauer runs put the Chargers up 20–7 early in the 4th quarter (Benirschke missed the extra point after the first of these).
Ken Stabler had been kept in check up to this point, throwing three interceptions, including two snagged by Glen Edwards on consecutive 3rd quarter attempts.
The pass-oriented "Air Coryell" offense wasn't in evidence yet — San Diego ran the ball 38 times against 23 pass plays, with Hank Bauer gaining a career-high 60 yards.
Those success left San Diego up 20—7 early in the 3rd quarter, but later Fouts was picked off to set up a Patriots touchdown, and Benirschke missing a 38-yard field goal.
Though Benirschke made amends with a 41-yard kick to put San Diego up 23–21, New England then went 73 yards for the game-winning points, which came with 31 seconds to play.
A fumble by Denver quarterback Craig Morton set up a touchdown reception by Bauer early in the 2nd quarter, and Benirschke added three field goals as the Chargers coasted home.
The quarterback rebounded with a 22-yard touchdown pass to Mitchell, but the Dolphins restored their 14-point lead after successfully gambling on 4th and goal from the 1 on the final play of the half.
In the 3rd quarter, Mitchell added a pair of 1 yard rushing scores, either side of another Miami touchdown, and San Diego trailed by just seven points entering the final period.
Oakland appeared to have stopped San Diego on downs, but a pass interference call against Lester Hayes prolonged the drive.
Lydell Mitchell led a rushing attack which gained 173 yards on 49 carries, and San Diego won more easily than the final scoreline suggested.
Anderson's next pass was also intercepted, Mike Fuller snaring his second pick of the game, and running it back 21 yards for a game-breaking touchdown.
Kansas City tied the game with scores either side of halftime, before Fouts went deep for Jefferson, who outran single coverage and hauled in a 46-yard touchdown pass near to the goal line.
The Charger defense then foiled Kansas City on a 4th and 1 from the 3, but the Chiefs tied the scores on their next drive, Arnold Morgado running in his second touchdown of the game.
Benirschke put San Diego back in front with 1:27 to play, but Jan Stenerud responded in kind with 2 seconds on the clock — his 47-yarder struck the uprights just behind the centre of the crossbar.
First, Kansas City marched to a 3rd and 1 at the Charger 14; Morgado had converted a 4th down en route, but he fumbled, and Mike Fuller recovered.
The clock expired as Fouts threw for the end zone, costing the Chargers any opportunity for a field goal, but Jefferson's marker slipped, leaving him open to catch the ball inches above the ground.
Later, Fouts found Jefferson for a 40-yard gain, and Bauer converted a 4th down to set up 1st and goal from the 2, but he fumbled on the next play, and the ball went through the end zone for a touchback.
On 3rd and 9 from the Viking 10, Fouts stumbled on his dropback but got to his feet and fired a pass through heavy traffic to Jefferson in the front of the end zone.
Minnesota had five possessions after that, their best chance coming on the final one, when they reached the Charger 30 before Fred Dean pounced on a loose ball to end the threat.
Fouts had been forced from the game with an injury, but San Diego ran the final 3:26 off the clock by picking up four first downs with James Harris under centre.
San Diego's best scoring chances came in the 3rd quarter — down 20–0, they reached the Chief's 12-yard line before Bo Matthews lost a fumble.
Despite turning the ball over three times in the first half, they led 21–17 at the break, courtesy of touchdown receptions by Jefferson and Dwight McDonald (in his final game with the club), plus a short run by Don Woods.
A chip-shot field goal by Benirschke and a Bob Klein touchdown catch followed on the first two Charger possessions of the second half, pushing the lead to 14 points.