The 1994 San Diego Chargers season was the team's 35th, its 25th in the National Football League (NFL), and its 34th in San Diego. It was the franchise's first season with long snapper David Binn on the roster. He would play 17 seasons as a San Diego Charger, a franchise record.
The 1994 season began with the team trying to improve on their 8–8 record in 1993. The offense underwent a major overhaul, with the club leaders in rushing and receiving yards (Marion Butts and Anthony Miller) both traded during the offseason. Second-year running back Natrone Means took over the lead rusher role, setting a club record with 1,350 yards during the regular season. At wide receiver, the trio of Tony Martin, Shawn Jefferson and Mark Seay combined for over 2,000 yards. On defense, Junior Seau and Leslie O'Neal were again the club leaders in tackles and sacks respectively; Stanley Richard ran two of his four interceptions back for touchdowns. Future All-Pro safety Rodney Harrison joined the team as a 5th-round draft pick, but primarily played on special teams, where the Chargers had four touchdowns on kick returns and John Carney led the league in scoring.
San Diego won their first six games en route to an 11–5 record, and were crowned AFC West Champions. After a 17–13 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC Championship game, they advanced to Super Bowl XXIX, only to lose to the San Francisco 49ers 49–26 at Joe Robbie Stadium. To date, this is the Chargers' only Super Bowl appearance.
Offseason
NFL Draft
Undrafted free agents
Personnel
Staff
Roster
Regular season
Schedule
Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.
Game summaries
Week 1: at Denver Broncos
The Chargers recovered from an early eighteen-point deficit to win their opener, aided by key defensive plays at the end of each half. Down 17–0 and then 24–6, the Chargers rallied to lead 27–24, thanks to three Stan Humphries touchdown passes and a 99-yard interception return by Stanley Richard as time expired in the 1st half. Later, San Diego drove 89 yards in 19 plays, converting five 3rd downs and taking 10 minutes off the clock, capping the drive with a 1-yard Natrone Means touchdown run; this put them ahead 37–34, with 3:01 remaining. John Elway responded by leading the Broncos from their own 25-yard line to the Chargers' 3, but on 2nd and goal, Elway fumbled as he attempted to throw, and Junior Seau recovered with 35 seconds left to clinch the win.
Week 2: vs Cincinnati Bengals
San Diego started 2–0 for the first time in 13 years, courtesy of a straightforward win over the Bengals. Mark Seay caught 8 passes for 119 yards and two touchdowns, while Natrone Means rushed 21 times for 107 yards and one score. The final score was identical to the result of the teams' previous game, in 1992.
Week 3: at Seattle Seahawks
A pair of big plays helped the Chargers run their record to 3–0. Early in the 2nd quarter, the Seahawks reached 1st and goal at the Chargers' one-yard line, but had to settle for a field goal. The Chargers responded with a John Carney field goal and Natrone Means's 1-yard touchdown run, and led 10–3 at the half. Midway through the 3rd quarter, Seattle were threatening with a 1st and 10 at the San Diego 28, but Stanley Richard picked off a Rick Mirer pass and went 73 yards for his second touchdown of the season. Later, Humphries was sacked in his own one-yard line by Brent Williams, bringing up a 3rd and 19. Humphries then hit Tony Martin in stride at the 35-yard line, and he outran the Seahawks' defense for a 99-yard touchdown, the seventh such pass in NFL history.
Week 4: at Los Angeles Raiders
John Carney's 33-yard field goal with two seconds remaining preserved San Diego's unbeaten record, after they had let a twenty-point lead slip in the 2nd half. Darrien Gordon's 90-yard punt return only three minutes into the game gave the Chargers a lead they built on with three Carney field goals and a 1-yard TD run by Natrone Means. Down 23–3 midway through the 3rd quarter, the Raiders began their comeback when Jeff Hostetler scrambled for a touchdown on 4th and goal, and completed it when Lionel Washington ran a deflected Humphries pass back 31 yards for another score. Humphries, who had injured his knee on the play, stayed in the game and led a 14-play, 65-yard drive to set up Carney's winning kick, the key play being an 8-yard completion to Ronnie Harmon on 4th and 1.
A loss by the New York Giants during San Diego's bye week left the Chargers as the last unbeaten team in the league for the first time as an NFL club.