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Six Chargers player competitions to watch this Saturday

By Tyler Schoon

GLENDALE, ARIZONA - AUGUST 08: Quarterback Easton Stick #2 of the Los Angeles Chargers hands off the football to running back Troymaine Pope #35 during the NFL preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on August 08, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardinals defeated the Chargers 17-13. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, ARIZONA - AUGUST 08: Quarterback Easton Stick #2 of the Los Angeles Chargers hands off the football to running back Troymaine Pope #35 during the NFL preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on August 08, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardinals defeated the Chargers 17-13. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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SOUTH BEND, IN – NOVEMBER 04: Jerry Tillery #99 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish rushes against Ryan Anderson #70 of the Wake Forest Demon Deaconsat Notre Dame Stadium on November 4, 2017 in South Bend, Indiana. Notre Dame defeated Wake Forest 48-37.(Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
SOUTH BEND, IN – NOVEMBER 04: Jerry Tillery #99 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish rushes against Ryan Anderson #70 of the Wake Forest Demon Deaconsat Notre Dame Stadium on November 4, 2017 in South Bend, Indiana. Notre Dame defeated Wake Forest 48-37.(Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

Chargers battle to watch: Justin Jones vs Jerry Tillery

You know who looked good against the Saints? Former third-round pick Justin Jones. You know who else looked good? First-round pick Jerry Tillery. And they both play defensive tackle.

Fans wanted Ndamukong Suh or Gerald McCoy, but the Chargers held firm and opted to go with player development. Against the Saints, Jones was disruptive as both a pass rusher and run stopper, showing off a bit of that Pro-Bowl potential Brandon Mebane said he had earlier this offseason. Tillery, in just 21 snaps, looked just as impressive.

Jones will ultimately be listed as the team’s starting defensive tackle to open the regular season, but Tillery, should he continue to play well, can push for an equal share in the rotation. Barring incredibly exceptional or terrible performances in the team’s last two games, each will be battling with one another to create the baddest defensive line in the NFL. I pity the quarterback on third-and-eight who has Bosa, Jones, Tillery, and Ingram coming after them.

Next. Chargers rookie power rankings through two games

Those are six player battles to watch as the Chargers take on the Seahawks. Competition can only bring out the best in this team, and with the winners of the battle taking a significant depth role (if not starting), the Chargers are much better poised to make a playoff run.

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