Matt Cassel threw a touchdown pass in the first quarter and Jamaal Charles rushed for 116 yards as the host Kansas City Chiefs overcame penalties and sloppy play to defeat the Denver Broncos 10-6 on Sunday.

Coupled with the Chargers' 28-13 loss to the Oakland Raiders, the Chiefs (8-4) have a two-game edge in the AFC West entering their showdown next week at San Diego.

Cassel finished 17 of 31 for 196 yards, including a 2-yard touchdown to tight end Leonard Pope in the first quarter.

The Chiefs’ Dwayne Bowe did not have a reception. He had caught at least one touchdown pass in his last seven games.

Charles had a touchdown run nullified because of an illegal formation in the third quarter.

The Chiefs’ Dexter McCluster fumbled to set up Matt Prater’s second field goal of the game – a 41-yarder with 13:47 left – to make it 10-6. On the previous drive, McCluster had a 57-yard run called back because of holding.

Denver’s Kyle Orton, who entered the game leading the NFL with 3,370 yards passing, was 9 of 28 for 117 yards.

The Broncos defeated the Chiefs 49-29 three weeks ago.