Chiefs lead NFL _ by far _ in turnover trouble

So you might as well throw the defense into the mix, too.

While the Chiefs have sloppily given away opportunities on offense, the defense has been lousy at getting the ball back. They forced 26 turnovers last season, tied for sixth in the AFC, but have so far this season created two: interceptions by Stanford Routt and Brandon Flowers.

The Chiefs' 15 turnovers have been turned into 58 points, seven touchdowns and three field goals, while four other possessions resulted in the end of the half or the game.

That means the Kansas City defense has held after a turnover precisely once.

Of course, it doesn't help that the offense has coughed up the ball on its own side of the field 11 times, giving opponents an average starting field position of the Kansas City 39.

"You have to start playing defense wherever you are on the field. You can't think about those things," cornerback Javier Arenas said. "In terms of where the offense is starting, it's tough out there. We understand that. We're not going to complain about it. We're not that type of team."

The only team that comes close to Kansas City's proficiency at turning over the ball is Philadelphia, which has thrown six interceptions and lost six fumbles. Buffalo is the next-worst team in the AFC with 11 turnovers, matching the Chiefs with their seven interceptions.

The only quarterback to throw more interceptions than Cassel: the Cowboys' Tony Romo, who has eight of them after tossing five in Monday night's loss to the Chicago Bears.

"It's tough," Winston said. "Anytime in this league that you turn the ball over, you obviously aren't helping the defense and you are giving the other team so much momentum. Like I said, I don't think the turnovers are on one person, I really don't. We all have to come together and figure out why it is happening."