text: In the 2009 season the Chargers won their first two games but lost their next three. For the rest of the season the Chargers won each game, including those against the NFC East teams. Having lost a game against the Broncos, the Chargers defeated them in the eleventh week, 32–3. In the twelfth week, the Chargers defeated the Cleveland Browns 30–23, and LaDainian Tomlinson broke Jim Brown's rushing record and Brown congratulated Tomlinson afterwards. The Chargers secured another division title and became the AFC second seed. The Chargers then played the Jets at home on January 17, 2010, and lost 17–14.
  2010–2012
  Prior to the 2010 season Tomlinson departed. He was aging and an expensive contract. The Chargers lost the first game to Kansas City, 21–14. The second game was at home was a win against the Jaguars. However, low ticket sales resulted in a blackout. The third game, an away game, was a 27–20 loss against Seattle. The fourth game was a win for the Chargers against the Cardinals, 41–10 at home, again with a local television blackout. Then in the next game, after many wins against the Raiders, the Chargers were defeated by them. The Chargers won the next four games then again were defeated by the Raiders at home, 28 points to 13. After a game where they tied with the Raiders, the Chargers were defeated by the Bengals 34–20 and missed the playoffs for the first time since 2005. The Chargers defeated Denver and ended the season with a 9–7 record.