How the 2010 Chargers Led the NFL in Everything - Except Wins

Published on November 28th, 2025 8:32 pm EST
Written By: Dave Manuel


In 2010, the San Diego Chargers led the NFL in both total offense (395.6 yards per game) and total defense (271.6). No other team has ever done that and missed the playoffs.

The offense was powered by Philip Rivers, who threw for 4,710 yards - best in the league. Antonio Gates caught 10 touchdowns in just 10 games. The team averaged 27.6 points per game, eighth in scoring.

Defensively, San Diego suffocated opponents. They allowed just 177.8 passing yards and 93.8 rushing yards per game. The unit ranked first in yards allowed, first in third-down defense, and fourth in sacks.

So how did a statistical powerhouse finish 9-7 and out of the postseason?

Special teams.

The Chargers' return and coverage units were historically bad. They allowed four special teams touchdowns and gave up the NFL's worst starting field position. Kicker Nate Kaeding's injury didn't help - San Diego went through four different kickers, hitting just 82.4% of field goals.

Their average starting field position was their own 24-yard line - four yards worse than opponents. That small gap translated to an estimated 30-point swing over the season.

They also lost close games. Six of their seven losses came by one score or less. Turnovers and blocked punts flipped several winnable matchups. A 27-20 loss to the Raiders in Week 5 included a blocked punt returned for a touchdown - the kind of play that defined their season.

The Chargers started 2-5 before rallying late, but it was too late. Despite ranking No. 1 in offense and defense, their special teams ranked 32nd by Football Outsiders' DVOA - a perfect imbalance.

No team since has repeated the feat: best offense, best defense, and no playoff berth.

The 2010 Chargers remain an NFL riddle - a team that statistically dominated every opponent, yet mastered the art of losing.