KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- The play that may have netted Chiefs safety Eric Berry the AFC defensive player of the week award was a game-changing pick-six in the fourth quarter that helped Kansas City rally past Carolina.Its not the play Berry remembers most fondly from last weekend.The Chiefs were trailing 17-3 when the Panthers began a march that ultimately lasted 20 plays and chewed up more than 10 minutes. But in what is becoming very Chiefs-like fashion, Kansas City responded with back-to-back sacks to not only force fourth down but take Carolina out of field-goal range.That was my favorite part of the game, Berry said. Those are the little things that people dont notice, but those are the things that set you up.The Chiefs (7-2) have ripped off five straight wins to climb into a tie atop the AFC West and get into position for a first-round playoff bye. And theyve done it with a defense that has done everything -- big things and little -- so well that the Chiefs have been able to overcome a lackluster offense.Along with turning back Carolinas potentially game-sealing drive, and Berrys interception return for a touchdown, Marcus Peters stripped Panthers wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin in the final minute to give Kansas City kicker Cairo Santos a chance to knock through the winning field goal on the road.As a result, the Chiefs won a game in which they converted just two third downs, never scored on three trips inside the red zone and wound up with less than 260 yards of total offense.We practice very hard, put in a lot of work and a lot of hours, and really putting in more than is required, Berry said. So were going to keep putting those things in and hope itll pay off for us.Its not like the Chiefs are the 2016 version of the Steel Curtain, though. Theyre more like a rubber band, stretching and yielding but seemingly always springing back to shape.Part of that is due to turnovers: They are a league-leading plus-14 in turnover margin.This team has such a great belief, whether its offense, defense or special teams, this team takes so much pride in playing together as a team, Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith said. We find a way, lean on one another and being in those types of environments helps. The more you play in types of games, not just this year but for the guys that have been here, that often contributes to when it does get down to crunch time and when you fall behind. Theres never a panic, we just go about our business.Smith acknowledged that the defense cant keep bailing them out, though, and pointed to third downs and the red zone as areas where Kansas City needs to make crucial improvement. The Chiefs are converting just 34.7 percent of third downs, which is 29th out of 32 teams. And they are scoring touchdowns on 40 percent of red-zone trips, which is tied for 30th.You cant beat yourself, especially in this kind of offense, Chiefs wide receiver Chris Conley said. You cant have false starts, mental errors. You have to execute.But if not on offense, at least on defense. And so far that hasnt been a problem.Kansas City could be getting even better, too, if four-time Pro Bowl linebacker Justin Houston comes back at close to 100 percent. Houston has been out since surgery in February to repair the ACL in his left knee, and there have been indications this week that he could make his season debut on Sunday at home against Tampa Bay.Well just see. Hes feeling pretty good, coach Andy Reid said. Well get him out there, see what he can do, move him around a little bit. At any point it becomes an issue, well step him back.Besides, what rush is there the way the Chiefs are playing these days?Game notesRB Jamaal Charles had had arthroscopic surgery on his left knee Monday, trainer Rick Burkholder said. Charles had a similar procedure on his right knee a few weeks ago. Both have had ACL reconstructions and had been causing Charles pain this season. He remains on injured reserve. ... LB Tamba Hali (knee soreness) and DT Dontari Poe (knee swelling) returned to practice Thursday. WR Jeremy Maclin (groin), DT Jaye Howard (hip flexor), CB Marcus Peters (hip pointer) and LB Derrick Johnson (hamstring spasms) remained out.---For more NFL coverage: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP-NFLCheap Ecco Shoes Online . The defending champion beat Gael Monfils of France 7-6 (6), 6-3, while second-seeded Andy Murray of Britain dispatched Edouard Roger-Vasselin, also of France, 6-3, 6-3. Making his first appearance since injuring his wrist a month ago, Del Potro had difficulty with his service games in the first set. Discount Ecco Shoes Sale . Robinson finished with 17 points, all but two in the second half, and Lawson had 14 after halftime and finished with a game-high 11 assists as the Nuggets handed Dallas its first home loss in eight games this season. J.J. Hickson led Denver with 22, and Kenneth Faried added 10 points and 10 rebounds. http://www.cheapecco.us/ . Toronto has dropped games to Indiana and Miami since a five-game winning streak and closed out a three-game road trip at 1-2. Cheap Ecco Shoes Sale . -- Teemu Selanne scored the first goal of his 22nd NHL season, and the Anaheim Ducks extended the best start in franchise history with their fifth straight victory, 3-2 over the Calgary Flames on Wednesday night. Ecco Shoes Wholesale . Gerald Green and Miles Plumlee? Green had bounced around the NBA when he wasnt playing overseas. The Pacers gave up on Plumlee after just one season. Now Green and Plumlee are key cogs in the Suns surprising breakout season.Munster fly-half Johnny Holland has been forced to retire aged just 25 due to a hamstring injury.Hollands protracted hamstring problems started in November 2014 after suffering the initial blow in action for Munster A against Nottingham in the British and Irish Cup.The Munster academy graduate battled back and managed seven appearances last term, but has since been forced to admit defeat in his continued quest for a full recovery.This has obviously been a very tough time for me, and ultimately it is a decision that has been taken out of my hands, said Holland.It is something that I have tried very hard to overcome but unfortunately it has become impossible for me to win this battleAs much as this is beyond my control, I dont want to look back on my career with any sadness.ddddddddddddRugby has given me so many opportunities and I have learned so much from the experience, with fantastic memories and friends for life.I am very proud to have represented my home province, especially at the end of last season, and am thankful for the support from under-age rugby all the way up. 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