The 1964 San Diego Chargers season was their fifth as a professional AFL franchise; the team failed to repeat as AFL champions after winning the championship in 1963 with a record of 11–3, and finished at 8–5–1. San Diego struggled at the start and finish of the season, but a six-game winning streak in the middle proved to be enough to win the AFL West, in a league where the two strongest teams were in the Eastern division.
San Diego's defense was among the league's best, with defensive linemen Earl Faison and Ernie Ladd both voted All-AFL players, and young defensive backs Dick Westmoreland and Speedy Duncan both contributing, the latter showing ability as a kick returner. On offense, flanker Lance Alworth was the central figure, with over 1,200 receiving yards and 15 total touchdowns. Veteran quarterback Tobin Rote was phased out as the team's starter during the course of the season, replaced by third-year John Hadl. Meanwhile, former Charger quarterback Jack Kemp featured on a Buffalo Bills team that defeated San Diego three times, including in the AFL title game. Alworth missed the title game due to injury, and running back Keith Lincoln was knocked out of it in the opening quarter by Mike Stratton's "Hit Heard ‘Round the World". San Diego led 7–0 before Lincoln's injury, but failed to score afterwards and lost 20–7.
Offseason
AFL draft
The 1964 AFL draft took place on November 30, 1963, late in the previous season; the Chargers had 28 picks across 26 rounds. Two days later, the rival NFL conducted their own draft.
San Diego was one of several AFL teams who had trouble signing their top picks. Of their first eleven choices, they signed only one, offensive lineman Gary Kirner, while nine spent 1964 with various NFL clubs. These included the Chargers' first four picks, who had all signed for the other league by mid-January. One of these, receiver Dave Parks, made the next three Pro Bowls for San Francisco.
Kirner went on to spend his entire six-year career in San Diego, though he only started 29 games in that time. The Chargers had a significant pick in the 13th round with safety Kenny Graham, who they signed in May. He started 11 games as a rookie and 75 in six years with the Chargers, being voted to four AFL All-Star games and one AP All-league team. He was also named to the AFL All-time second team in 1970.
Departures and arrivals
San Diego signed defensive back / kick returner Leslie "Speedy" Duncan as an undrafted rookie. He went on to play in three AFL All-Star games in seven seasons with the Chargers, eventually being inducted into the Chargers Hall of Fame in 1995.
Guard Sam DeLuca, who had returned from retirement the previous season, was sold to the Jets on July 9 for an undisclosed sum. Paul Maguire was placed on waivers later in July. Maguire, who had doubled as a linebacker and punter since the Chargers' inaugural campaign in 1960, was claimed by the Bills. In August, fullback Bobby Jackson, who had scored nine touchdowns over the past two seasons, was sent to Oakland on a loan deal of unknown duration. In the event, he never returned to the Chargers.
George Blair, a defensive back who had led the league in field goal percentage the past two seasons, sustained a knee injury early in the season; this proved to be career-ending. Herb Travenio was brought in as a replacement, but was released after only three games. He would return the following season with more success. He was replaced by 45-year old Ben Agajanian, back with the team after four years. Agajanian, too, picked up a career-ending injury, and Keith Lincoln handled the kicking duties for the rest of the season.
Personnel
Staff
Roster
Preseason
Lincoln, who had ended the previous season as MVP of the AFL Championship Game, began the new one by scoring the first two Chargers touchdowns of their exhibition schedule. He opened the scoring against Denver with a 13-yard catch from Tobin Rote, then put San Diego ahead to stay with a 45-yard run; Lance Alworth and Keith Kinderman added further touchdowns in a 34–20 win. The Chargers followed this with a high-scoring win over the Oilers, played on neutral ground in Little Rock, Arkansas. San Diego trailed 10–0 before Lincoln's touchdown pass to Dave Kocourek sparked a run of 30 consecutive points, with John Hadl throwing three touchdown passes. Houston came back with 21 unanswered points to lead again, and later responded after Lincoln had scored from a yard out, going ahead 38–37. Late in the game, Earl Faison recovered a fumble, and Hadl completed three passes to Alworth on a 12-play, 62-yard drive that culminated in Kinderman's game-winning 3-yard run, 72 seconds from time.