NFL game summary for 12/05/1971:
The Chargers exploded for 20 points in the final period, directed by QB John Hadl, and wrapped up a victory over the Vikings on a five-yard pass to Mike Garrett and a pair of field goals by Dennis Partee. Linebacker Pete Barnes grabbed a pass from Norm Snead in the last fifteen seconds and returned it for a TD. It was the highest point total registered against Minnesota since 1968.
Team stats coming into this game (NFL ranks in parentheses):
| Team | Rush Yds/Gm | Pass Yds/Gm | Tot Yds/Gm | Turnovers | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | OFFENSE | 120.3 (18) | 111.7 (25) | 232.0 (24) | 20 |
| DEFENSE | 112.7 (6) | 118.7 (2) | 231.5 (2) | 39 | |
 | OFFENSE | 110.2 (21) | 225.4 (1) | 335.5 (4) | 37 |
| DEFENSE | 168.4 (24) | 155.1 (15) | 323.5 (23) | 19 |
Line: Vikings by 10
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Vikings (9-3-0) | 7 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 14 |
| San Diego Chargers (5-7-0) | 7 | 3 | 0 | 20 | 30 |
( 0- 7) SD Gary Garrison 5 yard pass from John Hadl (Dennis Partee kick)
( 7- 7) MIN Oscar Reed 10 yard rush (Fred Cox kick)
( 7-10) SD Dennis Partee 12 yard field goal
(14-10) MIN Clint Jones 1 yard rush (Fred Cox kick)
(14-17) SD Mike Garrett 5 yard pass from John Hadl (Dennis Partee kick)
(14-20) SD Dennis Partee 43 yard field goal
(14-23) SD Dennis Partee 22 yard field goal
(14-30) SD Pete Barnes 36 yard interception return (Dennis Partee kick)
MIN SD
First Downs: 19 21
Rushes-yards: 34-142 32-149
Yards/rush: 4.2 4.7
Comp-Att-Yd-INT: 12-28-173-4 20-29-165-1
Sacked-yards: 0-0 0-0
Net pass yards: 173 165
Net yards/pass: 6.2 5.7
Total net yards: 315 314
Total plays: 62 (54% run) 61 (52% run)
Yards/play: 5.1 5.1
Fumbles-lost: 1-1 0-0
Turnovers: 5 1
Penalties-yards: 6-67 7-95
Attendance: 54,505
Passing:
MIN: Bob Lee, 8 of 20 for 122 yards (1 int); Norm Snead, 4 of 8 for 51 yards (3 int) SD: John Hadl, 20 of 29 for 165 yards and 2 TDs (1 int)
Rushing:
MIN: Clint Jones, 26 for 96 yards and 1 TD; Oscar Reed, 4 for 33 yards and 1 TD; Bill Brown, 4 for 13 yards SD: Mike Garrett, 16 for 49 yards; Jeff Queen, 14 for 39 yards; Jerry LeVias, 2 for 61 yards
Receiving:
MIN: Bob Grim, 4 for 49 yards; Bill Brown, 3 for 61 yards; Bob Brown, 2 for 31 yards; Gene Washington, 2 for 20 yards; Oscar Reed, 1 for 12 yards SD: Jerry LeVias, 7 for 56 yards; Gary Garrison, 5 for 45 yards and 1 TD; Mike Garrett, 5 for 28 yards and 1 TD; Pettis Norman, 3 for 36 yards
Kick returns:
MIN: Charlie West, 6 for 122 yards; Clint Jones, 1 for 35 yards SD: Jerry LeVias, 2 for 48 yards; Chris Fletcher, 1 for 25 yards
Punt returns:
SD: Chris Fletcher, 2 for 21 yards; Jerry LeVias, 1 for 11 yards
Interceptions:
MIN: Charlie West, 1 for 6 yards SD: Bryant Salter, 2 for 4 yards; Pete Barnes, 1 for 36 yards and 1 TD; Chris Fletcher, 1 for 19 yards
Punting:
MIN: Bob Lee, 3 for 138 yards SD: Dennis Partee, 2 for 89 yards
Field Goals:
MIN: Fred Cox, 0/2 SD: Dennis Partee, 3/5
MIN: Bob Lee, 8 of 20 for 122 yards (1 int); Norm Snead, 4 of 8 for 51 yards (3 int) SD: John Hadl, 20 of 29 for 165 yards and 2 TDs (1 int)
Rushing:
MIN: Clint Jones, 26 for 96 yards and 1 TD; Oscar Reed, 4 for 33 yards and 1 TD; Bill Brown, 4 for 13 yards SD: Mike Garrett, 16 for 49 yards; Jeff Queen, 14 for 39 yards; Jerry LeVias, 2 for 61 yards
Receiving:
MIN: Bob Grim, 4 for 49 yards; Bill Brown, 3 for 61 yards; Bob Brown, 2 for 31 yards; Gene Washington, 2 for 20 yards; Oscar Reed, 1 for 12 yards SD: Jerry LeVias, 7 for 56 yards; Gary Garrison, 5 for 45 yards and 1 TD; Mike Garrett, 5 for 28 yards and 1 TD; Pettis Norman, 3 for 36 yards
Kick returns:
MIN: Charlie West, 6 for 122 yards; Clint Jones, 1 for 35 yards SD: Jerry LeVias, 2 for 48 yards; Chris Fletcher, 1 for 25 yards
Punt returns:
SD: Chris Fletcher, 2 for 21 yards; Jerry LeVias, 1 for 11 yards
Interceptions:
MIN: Charlie West, 1 for 6 yards SD: Bryant Salter, 2 for 4 yards; Pete Barnes, 1 for 36 yards and 1 TD; Chris Fletcher, 1 for 19 yards
Punting:
MIN: Bob Lee, 3 for 138 yards SD: Dennis Partee, 2 for 89 yards
Field Goals:
MIN: Fred Cox, 0/2 SD: Dennis Partee, 3/5