Pittsburgh Steelers running back Mewelde Moore (21) fumbles into the end zone while being tackled by Kansas City Chiefs outside linebacker Tamba Hali (91) during the first half of an NFL football game in Kansas City, Mo., Sunday, Nov. 27, 2011. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Mewelde Moore (21) fumbles into the end zone while being tackled by Kansas City Chiefs outside linebacker Tamba Hali (91) during the first half of an NFL football game in Kansas City, Mo., Sunday, Nov. 27, 2011. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Dwayne Bowe (82) catches a pass from quarterback Tyler Palko during the first half of an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Kansas City, Mo., Sunday, Nov. 27, 2011. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Kansas City Chiefs running back Jackie Battle (26) is tackled by Pittsburgh Steelers strong safety Troy Polamalu (43) during the first half of an NFL football game in Kansas City, Mo., Sunday, Nov. 27, 2011. Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Dwayne Bowe (82) blocks on the play. (AP Photo/Orlin Wagner)
Kansas City Chiefs offensive tackle Steve Maneri (68) trips over Pittsburgh Steelers strong safety Troy Polamalu (43) during the first half of an NFL football game in Kansas City, Mo., Sunday, Nov. 27, 2011. Polamalu left the game after his head banged into Maneri's knee during the collision. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Weslye Saunders (82) looks to keep his feet in bounds while scoring a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs in Kansas City, Mo., Sunday, Nov. 27, 2011. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) ? Ben Roethlisberger joked that the broken thumb on his throwing hand was "still attached" after Sunday night's game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
The Pittsburgh Steelers are still tied for lead in the AFC North because of it.
Roethlisberger threw a short touchdown pass to Weslye Saunders in the first half, and the Steelers took advantage of four turnovers by Chiefs quarterback Tyler Palko in a 13-9 victory that allowed them to keep pace with Baltimore atop their loaded division.
"We're happy with the win," Roethlisberger said.
He finished 21 of 31 for 193 yards and an interception for the Steelers (8-3), whose defense lost All-Pro safety Troy Polamalu to a head injury in the first quarter yet still kept the bumbling Chiefs (4-7) from scoring a touchdown. Kansas City hasn't reached the end zone since playing Denver three weeks ago, a span of 45 offensive drives ? including the final one Sunday night.
The Chiefs marched across midfield to the Pittsburgh 37 when Palko dropped back to pass. He was looking for Dwayne Bowe but threw it high and behind him, and Keenan Lewis hauled in the interception with 29 seconds left to seal the outcome.
"Stepped up one more time for us," Roethlisberger said. "They did a great job all day.
Palko, making his second consecutive start in place of the injured Matt Cassel, also fumbled a snap and threw interceptions to Ike Taylor and Ryan Mundy on consecutive plays in the first half.
He fared little better than he did last week against New England, when he tossed three picks in his first NFL start. Palko finished 18 of 28 for 167 yards in what was likely his last chance.
The Chiefs claimed former Broncos quarterback Kyle Orton off waivers on Wednesday with the intention of having him compete with Palko for the starting job. Orton didn't arrive in town until Friday, though, and he was inactive Sunday night after participating in only one practice.
"He'll have a much better chance this week to compete, and like I said, Tyler is the starter, but whatever position we say, if someone gives us a better chance to win, that's the guideline we generally follow," Chiefs coach Todd Haley said.
Kansas City led 3-0 in the second quarter when Palko's first interception, which Taylor returned to the Chiefs 8, resulted in a 21-yard field goal by the Steelers' Shaun Suisham.
The second pick was returned by Mundy, who had taken over at safety for Polamalu, to the Kansas City 24. The defense appeared to hold Pittsburgh when Tamba Hali sacked Roethlisberger on third-and-7, but safety Jon McGraw was called for defensive holding to give the Steelers a first down.
Three plays later, Roethlisberger found Saunders in the back of the end zone.
Ryan Succop added a 49-yard field goal later in the second quarter for Kansas City, his second of the game, but Suisham answered with his own 49-yarder on the final play of the first half.
Succop added a 40-yard field goal with 6:11 left in the fourth quarter.
Polamalu left the game in the first quarter when he tackled 290-pound Chiefs offensive tackle Steve Maneri, who had caught a pass in the flat after lining up in the backfield.
The reigning Defensive Player of the Year's head hit Maneri's knee and he crumpled to the turf, where he lay while trainers came out to check on him. Polamalu was a bit wobbly when he stood up and the team said he was questionable to return with a "blow to the head."
Steelers center Maurkice Pouncey also left in the first half with an illness.
Roethlisberger showed little evidence of the broken thumb that caused him to be somewhat limited in practice, hitting 10 different receivers. He got some help from Rashard Mendenhall, who ran for 57 yards, and a defense that kept giving the Pittsburgh offense prime field position.
The Steelers squandered a promising opportunity in the first quarter, driving inside the Chiefs 10-yard line. But backup running back Mewelde Moore had the ball poked out by Chiefs linebacker Tamba Hali and it was recovered by Javier Arenas in the end zone for a touchback.
Kansas City gave the ball right back when Palko fumbled the snap moments later.
Pittsburgh also had a decent drive end midway through the scoreless third when Roethlisberger underthrew Antonio Brown down the sideline. Kansas City safety Travis Daniels swooped in to make the interception, but the Chiefs' bumbling offense couldn't capitalize.
That wound up being the story of the game.
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