The Chargers were beaten 34-20 by the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday, a defeat that handed division honors to the Kansas City Chiefs who had earlier routed the Tennessee Titans 34-14.
San Diego, who were hamstrung after making a dismal 2-5 start to the season, will end their campaign Sunday when they are hosted by the Denver Broncos.
"Obviously the season isn't going to end as anyone had hoped or expected," Spanos told the Chargers' website (http://www.chargers.com/). "It's been a tough season. It hurts. It really hurts, and I know our fans feel the same way. This has been a very disappointing season for all of us."
The Chargers opened the season 2-5 after being hampered by injuries, special teams mistakes and a rash of turnovers, something Spanos identified, before they won six of their next seven games.
"You have to look at our special teams and turnovers early in the season," he said.
"We've been hit hard. We've had to make so many roster moves and we've used 73 different players, more than any team in the league.
"It's not an excuse -- many teams go through it, but it's tough to win when you're constantly having to make changes.
"Other than that, the team has played well for the most part."
"If you look solely at production, our offense and defense have ranked statistically among the best all season, but I'm the first to acknowledge that statistics don't mean a whole lot."
With one week remaining in the regular season, the Chargers lie second behind the Philadelphia Eagles in total offense while they lead the league in total defense.
"Wins and losses are what counts," Spanos added. "They've managed a roster that has gone through constant changes due to injuries and maintained an overall high level of play. The coaches deserve credit for that.
"However, we're all accountable for where we are right now out of the playoffs. Bottom line, we didn't make the playoffs. We need to be better."
(Writing by Mark Lamport-Stokes in Los Angeles; Editing by Greg Stutchbury)
