Wild West title up for grabs

Raiders, Chiefs have Super Bowl aspirations; Broncos and Chargers still potent threats

Top to bottom, the AFC West looks loaded this season. It’s also up for grabs. All four teams have sky-high expectations of handling a difficult schedule that includes the Eagles, Cowboys, Giants, Patriots and Dolphins when they’re not beating up on each other.

The Oakland Raiders are no longer mired in mediocrity thanks to 2016 Defensive Player of the Year Khalil Mack and quarterback Derek Carr, who has newfound security in both a shiny $125 million contract and in unretired running back Marshawn Lynch with him in the backfield.

The Kansas City Chiefs have one of the league’s nastiest, youngest defenses, but also the specter of instability with first-round pick Patrick Mahomes waiting to succeed QB Alex Smith.

Philip Rivers is commuting from San Diego to L.A. as the Chargers, under new coach Anthony Lynn, try to reverse their fortunes following eight close losses last year that led to the

exit of Mike McCoy. He landed in Denver for his second stint as offensive coordinator.

McCoy drew up the blueprints for a Broncos offense once again

led by Trevor Siemian, who has a better supporting cast as he seeks to lead the rebound from a 9-7 season that ended Denver’s five-year reign as division champs.

Some things to watch in the AFC West this season:

Harassing quarterbacks: The AFC West features a fantastic foursome of pass rushing duos.

Even with DeMarcus Ware retiring, Denver has Von Miller and Shane Ray. Oakland has Mack and Bruce Irvin. Mack edged Miller for Defensive Player of the Year last year, which some of Miller’s teammates say drove Miller to train like never before, showing up at camp with thighs the size of watermelons.

The Chargers feature Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram, the Chiefs have Dee Ford and Justin Houston.

Mack was among the high-wattage attendees at Miller’s first-ever pass rushing summit he put on at Stanford over summer break.

“It was a unique experience to really sit down and share thoughts and compare pass rushes and take away what you can,” Miller said. “For the most part, it was guys really showing you what made them great.”

Charles in charge: The Chiefs cut running back Jamaal Charles, their all-time leading rusher, this

CHARLIE RIEDEL/THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Chiefs defensive back Terrance Mitchell nearly intercepts a pass intended for Raiders wide receiver Amari Cooper in December in Kansas City, Mo. The Chiefs and Raiders will battle for AFC West supremacy, but the Broncos and Chargers are still capable...

ASSOCIATED PRESS FILE PHOTO Broncos quarterback Trevor Siemian has a better supporting cast this season, and will play under the direction of new offensive coordinator Mike McCoy.