1986 San Diego Chargers season

1986 San Diego Chargers season
Head coach	Don Coryell (Weeks 1-8) Al Saunders (Weeks 9-16)
General manager	Johnny Sanders
Owner	Alex Spanos
Home field	Jack Murphy Stadium
Results
Record	4–12
Division place	5th AFC West
Playoff finish	did not qualify

The 1986 San Diego Chargers season began with the team trying to improve on their 8–8 record in 1985. Following a 1-7 start, Head Coach Don Coryell resigned and Al Saunders was named interim Head Coach. After the season, Saunders was named the permanent Head Coach and would hold the position through the end of the 1988 season. Leslie O'Neal was named Defensive Rookie of the Year.

Regular season

Schedule

Week	Date	Opponent	Result	Attendance
1	September 7, 1986	Miami Dolphins	W 50–28	57,726
2	September 14, 1986	at New York Giants	L 20–7	74,921
3	September 21, 1986	Washington Redskins	L 30–27	57,853
4	September 28, 1986	at Los Angeles Raiders	L 17–13	63,153
5	October 6, 1986	at Seattle Seahawks	L 33–7	63,207
6	October 12, 1986	Denver Broncos	L 31–14	55,662
7	October 19, 1986	at Kansas City Chiefs	L 42–41	55,767
8	October 26, 1986	at Philadelphia Eagles	L 23–7	41,469
9	November 2, 1986	Kansas City Chiefs	L 24–23	48,518
10	November 9, 1986	at Denver Broncos	W 9–3	75,012
11	November 16, 1986	Dallas Cowboys	L 24–21	55,622
12	November 20, 1986	Los Angeles Raiders	L 37–31	56,031
13	November 30, 1986	at Indianapolis Colts	W 17–3	47,950
14	December 7, 1986	Houston Oilers	W 27–0	40,103
15	December 14, 1986	Seattle Seahawks	L 34–24	47,096
16	December 21, 1986	at Cleveland Browns	L 47–17	68,505

Standings

AFC West
	W	L	T	PCT	DIV	CONF	PF	PA	STK
Denver Broncos^(2)	11	5	0	.688	5–3	8–4	378	327	L1
Kansas City Chiefs^(5)	10	6	0	.625	5–3	9–5	358	326	W3
Seattle Seahawks	10	6	0	.625	5–3	7–5	366	293	W5
Los Angeles Raiders	8	8	0	.500	4–4	7–5	323	346	L4
San Diego Chargers	4	12	0	.250	1–7	4–8	335	396	L2

Awards and honors

• Leslie O'Neal, Defensive Rookie of the Year