<P> The Chargers were the biggest surprise of the 1994 season, with very few expecting them to even reach the playoffs, let alone the Super Bowl . </P> <P> San Diego suffered losing seasons in the 1980s until former Washington Redskins general manager Bobby Beathard joined the team in 1990 . Beathard decided to rebuild the Chargers using the same model that he used to build the Redskins into Super Bowl contenders during the 1980s--a powerful running game built around big linemen, a passing game that helped sustain extremely long drives, and a bending but steady defense . After former Georgia Tech head coach Bobby Ross was hired by the Chargers in 1992, the team won the AFC West with an 11--5 regular season record and won an opening round playoff game against Kansas City . But in 1993, they slumped back to 8--8 and did not reach the postseason . </P> <P> Before the start of the 1994 season, San Diego was not expected to do well because they had so many newcomers via the draft and free agency; the Chargers ended up with 22 new players on their roster, and 10 of them became starters . However, they ended up winning their first six regular season games en route to an 11--5 record, the AFC West championship, and the #2 AFC playoff seed . The Chargers went into the final game of the season against the Pittsburgh Steelers needing a win to get the #2 seed (a loss would have given that spot to the Miami Dolphins), which came with a first - round bye and a home game in the divisional round of the playoffs . Backup quarterback Gale Gilbert, subbing for injured starter Stan Humphries, led the Chargers to a come - from - behind 37--34 win, with John Carney kicking a game - winning field goal in the game's final seconds . </P> <P> The Chargers' offense was led by quarterback Stan Humphries, who was the Redskins' backup to Mark Rypien during the 1991 season, when they won Super Bowl XXVI . During the 1994 season for San Diego, Humphries completed 264 out of 453 attempts for 3,209 yards and 17 touchdowns, with 12 interceptions . Wide receiver Mark Seay was the team's leading receiver with 58 receptions for 645 yards and 6 touchdowns . Wide receiver Tony Martin had 50 catches for 885 yards and 7 touchdowns, wide receiver Shawn Jefferson recorded 43 catches for 627 yards and 3 touchdowns, and tight end Alfred Pupunu had 21 receptions for 214 yards and 2 touchdowns . </P>

When did the chargers play in the super bowl