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The Top 10 worst-to-first seasons in NFL history

By Erik Lambert

PHILADELPHIA, PA - SEPTEMBER 24: Jake Elliott #4 of the Philadelphia Eagles celebrates with teammates after making a game winning 61 yard field goal against the New York Giants on September 24, 2017 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - SEPTEMBER 24: Jake Elliott #4 of the Philadelphia Eagles celebrates with teammates after making a game winning 61 yard field goal against the New York Giants on September 24, 2017 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /
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SAN DIEGO – OCTOBER 31: Wide receiver Tim Dwight #87 of the San Diego Chargers celebrates with his teammates after scoring the Chargers fourth touchdown of the game against the Oakland Raiders in the second quarter on October 31, 2004 at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, California. (Photo by Lisa Blumenfeld/Getty Images)
SAN DIEGO – OCTOBER 31: Wide receiver Tim Dwight #87 of the San Diego Chargers celebrates with his teammates after scoring the Chargers fourth touchdown of the game against the Oakland Raiders in the second quarter on October 31, 2004 at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, California. (Photo by Lisa Blumenfeld/Getty Images) /

No. 10: 2004 San Diego Chargers

One of the more forgotten teams on this list and that’s a shame. People forget how epically bad the Chargers were throughout the late 1990s and early 2000s. Keep in mind this era included the Ryan Leaf debacle among other things. It was not a fun time to be a Chargers fan. They hadn’t made the playoffs for eight years and 2003 proved to be a major disappointment with a 4-12 record after going 8-8 in 2002. So expectations were low going into 2004.

Head coach Marty Schottenheimer though had a plan. Part of it included adding experienced defensive coordinator Wade Phillips to overhaul a defense that finished 31st in points allowed the year before. Together with a draft class that included five future Pro Bowlers, the team came out swinging that season. Leading the charge was unlikely quarterback Drew Brees who threw 27 touchdowns to just seven interceptions.

Together with LaDainian Tomlinson, the Chargers put up points and the defense ranked a respectable 11th in scoring. They finished 12-4, knocking off the reigning division champion Kansas City Chiefs in the season finale as a bonus.

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