NFL game summary for 09/16/1973:
The Redskins' defense recovered three fumbles, intercepted four passes (two by Ken Houston) and sacked San Diego quarterbacks eight times (three by Verlon Biggs). John Unitas, making his first start for the Chargers, completed 6 of 17 but was sacked five times and intercepted three times. Biggs ran two yards for the first TD after picking up a fumble and Brig Owens dashed 36 yards with another. Billy Kilmer went all the way and completed 10 of 18 including 2 TDs.
Line: Redskins by 14
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 San Diego Chargers (0-1-0) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
 Washington Redskins (1-0-0) | 21 | 0 | 7 | 10 | 38 |
( 0- 7) WAS Verlon Biggs 2 yard fumble return (Curt Knight kick) ( 0-14) WAS Larry Brown 1 yard rush (Curt Knight kick) ( 0-21) WAS Brig Owens 36 yard fumble return (Curt Knight kick) ( 0-28) WAS Charley Taylor 32 yard pass from Billy Kilmer (Curt Knight kick) ( 0-31) WAS Curt Knight 19 yard field goal ( 0-38) WAS Frank Grant 12 yard pass from Billy Kilmer (Curt Knight kick)
SD WAS
First Downs: 10 13
Rushes-yards: 36-128 39-83
Yards/rush: 3.6 2.1
Comp-Att-Yd-INT: 7-20-75-4 10-18-129-0
Sacked-yards: 8-68 1-1
Net pass yards: 7 128
Net yards/pass: 0.2 6.7
Total net yards: 135 211
Total plays: 64 (56% run) 58 (67% run)
Yards/play: 2.1 3.6
Fumbles-lost: 3-3 3-2
Turnovers: 7 2
Penalties-yards: 7-59 7-65
Attendance: 52,718
Passing:
SD: Johnny Unitas, 6 of 17 for 55 yards (3 int); Wayne Clark, 1 of 3 for 20 yards (1 int) WAS: Billy Kilmer, 10 of 18 for 129 yards and 2 TDs
Rushing:
SD: Mike Garrett, 15 for 52 yards; Cid Edwards, 14 for 63 yards; Clint Jones, 6 for 13 yards; Bob Thomas, 1 for 0 yards WAS: Duane Thomas, 12 for 30 yards; Larry Brown, 11 for 24 yards and 1 TD; Charlie Harraway, 7 for 21 yards; Herb Mul-Key, 3 for 5 yards; Bob Brunet, 2 for 4 yards; Billy Kilmer, 2 for 0 yards; Roy Jefferson, 1 for 1 yard; Mike Hull, 1 for -2 yards
Receiving:
SD: Gary Garrison, 2 for 36 yards; Jerry LeVias, 1 for 20 yards; Mike Garrett, 1 for 8 yards; Bob Thomas, 1 for 7 yards; Cid Edwards, 1 for 2 yards; Pettis Norman, 1 for 2 yards WAS: Charley Taylor, 3 for 60 yards and 1 TD; Charlie Harraway, 2 for 12 yards; Larry Brown, 2 for 11 yards; Roy Jefferson, 1 for 21 yards; Duane Thomas, 1 for 13 yards; Frank Grant, 1 for 12 yards and 1 TD
Kick returns:
SD: Ron Smith, 4 for 66 yards; Willie McGee, 1 for 16 yards
Punt returns:
SD: Willie McGee, 1 for 0 yards WAS: Speedy Duncan, 3 for 28 yards; Herb Mul-Key, 1 for 15 yards
Interceptions:
WAS: Ken Houston, 2 for 22 yards; Pat Fischer, 1 for 24 yards; Brig Owens, 1 for 19 yards
Punting:
SD: Dennis Partee, 7 for 330 yards WAS: Mike Bragg, 6 for 270 yards
Field Goals:
WAS: Curt Knight, 1/3
SD: Johnny Unitas, 6 of 17 for 55 yards (3 int); Wayne Clark, 1 of 3 for 20 yards (1 int) WAS: Billy Kilmer, 10 of 18 for 129 yards and 2 TDs
Rushing:
SD: Mike Garrett, 15 for 52 yards; Cid Edwards, 14 for 63 yards; Clint Jones, 6 for 13 yards; Bob Thomas, 1 for 0 yards WAS: Duane Thomas, 12 for 30 yards; Larry Brown, 11 for 24 yards and 1 TD; Charlie Harraway, 7 for 21 yards; Herb Mul-Key, 3 for 5 yards; Bob Brunet, 2 for 4 yards; Billy Kilmer, 2 for 0 yards; Roy Jefferson, 1 for 1 yard; Mike Hull, 1 for -2 yards
Receiving:
SD: Gary Garrison, 2 for 36 yards; Jerry LeVias, 1 for 20 yards; Mike Garrett, 1 for 8 yards; Bob Thomas, 1 for 7 yards; Cid Edwards, 1 for 2 yards; Pettis Norman, 1 for 2 yards WAS: Charley Taylor, 3 for 60 yards and 1 TD; Charlie Harraway, 2 for 12 yards; Larry Brown, 2 for 11 yards; Roy Jefferson, 1 for 21 yards; Duane Thomas, 1 for 13 yards; Frank Grant, 1 for 12 yards and 1 TD
Kick returns:
SD: Ron Smith, 4 for 66 yards; Willie McGee, 1 for 16 yards
Punt returns:
SD: Willie McGee, 1 for 0 yards WAS: Speedy Duncan, 3 for 28 yards; Herb Mul-Key, 1 for 15 yards
Interceptions:
WAS: Ken Houston, 2 for 22 yards; Pat Fischer, 1 for 24 yards; Brig Owens, 1 for 19 yards
Punting:
SD: Dennis Partee, 7 for 330 yards WAS: Mike Bragg, 6 for 270 yards
Field Goals:
WAS: Curt Knight, 1/3