Jamaal Charles ran for 86 yards and a touchdown, Alex Smith also ran for a score and the Chiefs defense held off the Houston Texans 17-16 on Sunday to remain unbeaten at 7-0.

The defense came up big after Charles fumbled the football. Case Keenum completed a pass that gave the Texans first and goal from the one, but the defense held Houston to a field goal making the score 14-13 in the third quarter.

The teams traded field goals and the Chiefs were forced to punt the ball to Houston with 1:46 left in the game. However, Keenum threw was stripped by linebacker Tamba Hali at his two yard line. Derrick Johnson recovered the fumble for the Chiefs and Smith ran out the clock.

Earlier in the game, with Houston up 10-7, the Chiefs started at their own three, midway through the second quarter. Smith led the Chiefs 97 yards in 15 plays — he was 8 of 8 for 75 yards on the drive — and used just 56 seconds on the clock to regain the lead.