20 best quarterback seasons in NFL history

19. Dan Fouts, Chargers (1981)

In 1978, the then-San Diego Chargers knocked off the Seahawks in Week 1 but then dropped three straight. Head coach Tommy Prothro stepped down and was replaced by Don Coryell. The club jelled by the end of the season and finished 9-7 after a 2-6 start.

Quarterback Dan Fouts and the offense were the catalysts for a 7-1 finish. The following season would begin a stretch in which the talented signal-caller would lead the NFL in passing yards for four consecutive years. Fouts would be named to the Pro Bowl each season and earned All-Pro honors in 1979 and the strike-shortened campaign of 1982.

Of course, the Chargers never got to the Super Bowl during that era. Arguably, the 1979 Bolts were the franchise’s best team. In 1981, Fouts put together a magnificent season for a 10-6 club that won the AFC West and led the league in scoring with 478 points. He totaled career highs in passing yards (4,802) and touchdown tosses (33) while serving up only 17 interceptions. It was easily his best TD-pass-to-INT differential (plus-16) for a season.

In the epic 41-38 overtime win over the Miami Dolphins in the AFC Divisional Playoffs, Fouts connected on 33-of-53 throws for 433 yards and three touchdowns (1 interception). Unfortunately for the Chargers, he and the club were cooled off a week later in sub-zero Cincinnati in the conference title game.