2011 San Diego Chargers season
| 2011 San Diego Chargers season | |
|---|---|
| Head coach | Norv Turner |
| General manager | A.J. Smith |
| Owner | Alex Spanos |
| Home field | Qualcomm Stadium |
| Results | |
| Record | 8–8 |
| Division place | 2nd AFC West |
| Playoff finish | did not qualify |
| Pro Bowlers |
5
|
| AP All-Pros | Eric Weddle, S |
The 2011 San Diego Chargers season was the franchise's 42nd season in the National Football League and the 52nd overall. The team failed to improve on its 9–7 record from 2010, and finished in a three-way tie with the Denver Broncos and Oakland Raiders for the AFC West division title, with an 8–8 record, but lost the tiebreaker to the Broncos and missed the playoffs for a second consecutive season. For Norv Turner, this was his fifth season as the head coach of the Chargers. The Chargers had the 18th pick in the 2011 NFL Draft.
On January 11, defensive coordinator Ron Rivera became the new head coach of the Carolina Panthers. That same day, Rich Bisacchia was named the team's new special teams' coach, replacing Steve Crosby, whose contract was not renewed. Three days later (January 14), the team hired former San Francisco 49ers' defensive coordinator Greg Manusky to replace Rivera. Manusky previously served as the Chargers' linebackers coach from 2002–2006.
Kicker Nate Kaeding suffered a season-ending injury in the first game of the year. He was replaced by Nick Novak, who set a Charger record making 11 kicks from 40 yards or longer.
Coming off their special teams woes in 2010, the Chargers allowed a 103-yard opening kickoff return to Percy Harvin to start the season. Kicker Nate Kaeding suffered a season-ending injury on the play, and punter Mike Scifres assumed place kicking responsibilities for the game. The Chargers outscored the Vikings 10–0 in the fourth quarter to come back and win the game, 24–17. Fullback Mike Tolbert scored three touchdowns, and Phillip Rivers completed 33 of 48 passes for 335 yards and two touchdowns. He was also intercepted twice. Scifres kicked a 40-yard field goal, the first of his NFL career, and kicked three PATs. With the win, the Chargers started their season out 1–0.
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