2005 San Diego Chargers

Who needs Eli Manning? When he refused to let the San Diego Chargers sign him after a 4-12 2003 season, the Chargers had to make use of what they got for Manning and stick with quarterback Drew Brees. The result was a turnaround to a 12-4 record in 2004 and a first-place finish in the AFC West. The Chargers are for real, and the fans know it, so you need to get your 2005 tickets early.

From 1960 to 1965 the Chargers won five division championships and one league crown in the American Football League (AFL). Wide receiver Lance Alworth set a professional football record by catching at least one pass in 96 consecutive games from 1962 to 1970. During the late 1970s and early 1980s head coach Don Coryell oversaw one of the most explosive offensive units in NFL history. The team was led by quarterback Dan Fouts and wide receiver Charlie Joiner, who both set career team records -- Fouts with 43,040 passing yards and 254 passing touchdowns and Joiner with 586 receptions.

Founded by hotel magnate Barron Hilton, the Los Angeles Chargers were one of six charter members of the AFL in 1960. Although the Chargers won the AFL's Western Division championship that year under head coach Sid Gillman, the franchise posted heavy financial losses and moved to San Diego the following year. A future Hall of Fame member, Gillman steered the club to four more Western Division crowns during the next five years. San Diego lost four of five AFL Championship Games, however, recording its only victory in 1963 over the Boston Patriots. Gillman had three outstanding quarterbacks in his charge: John Hadl, Jack Kemp, and Tobin Rote. He also coached one of the era's finest wide receivers, Lance Alworth, who became the first AFL player to be enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Alworth posted six 1000-yard seasons in seven years, leading the league in yardage three times. Linebacker Emil Karas and end Earl Faison anchored the league's top-rated defense in 1961 and 1963.

In 1978 Don Coryell was named head coach and Dan Fouts took over as starting quarterback. A year later Fouts captured the first of three consecutive passing titles to lead the Chargers to the first of three straight division crowns. Fouts strung together four consecutive 300-yard games in 1979, establishing a record en route to the first 4000-yard season in NFL history.

In 1987 Fouts retired, ranking behind only Fran Tarkenton in career yards (43,040), completions (3297), and attempts (5604). (Dan Marino currently leads all three categories). A nine-season playoff drought followed, during which the club finished as high as third only once. Replacing Fouts became a struggle in itself, as San Diego cycled through four starting quarterbacks from 1988 to 1991. Stan Humphries settled into the job in 1992, leading the Chargers to three playoff appearances in four years under head coach Bobby Ross. Following the 1994 season, San Diego made its first Super Bowl appearance, losing to the San Francisco 49ers, 49-26.

• 1995 Super Bowl XXIX Lost to San Francisco 49ers, 49-26