Print edition: 
CHICAGO — To the rest of the world, Tyler Palko's first victory as an NFL starting quarterback was hardly a work of art. The Chiefs' 10-3 win over the Bears at Soldier Field was far more the product of a tough, gritty defense than any offensive wizardry.
To the Chiefs and Palko, though, the game was something to be cherished. The Chiefs moved to 5-7 and, combined with Oakland's loss to Miami, climbed back within two games of the AFC West lead.
Palko, who committed seven turnovers in his first two NFL starts, emerged from a brutal week where almost everyone questioned his worthiness as an NFL quarterback — including the Chiefs, who prepared Kyle Orton to play and perhaps even take over the job.
The Chiefs used Orton in the second quarter for one play and he left for the day with an apparent dislocated index finger on his passing hand. Palko then returned to the game in time to throw his first touchdown pass on a 38-yard Hail Mary to Dexter McCluster, a play that gave the Chiefs enough points for a victory.
That play, along with the victory, allowed Palko a measure of satisfaction that perhaps only he can fathom.
"When you're a quarterback and you're responsible for those turnovers those first two games and your defense is playing so well, it stings,'' he said. "It stings deep down in your gut... and you've got to live with that the whole week and continue to practice and try to get better and show the guys you're unfazed by that.
"You basically have the weight of the world on your shoulders.''
Palko played like a man unburdened, perhaps because Orton was unavailable to the Chiefs after his injury which came on the first play of the second quarter. Orton took the ball on a flea flicker and was hit by Chicago's Major Wright as he attempted to throw a pass to Jonathan Baldwin.
He immediately left the game. Neither coach Todd Haley nor Orton would shed any light on the injury but Orton had a similar injured during the 2009 preseason when he played for Denver.
Orton missed one preseason game that year but returned in time for the season opener, which he played while wearing a glove on his passing hand.
Haley indicated Palko would have returned to the game even if Orton hadn't been injured. But the Chiefs prepared several plays specifically for Orton, so he would have also played later in the game if not for the injury.
"We did have some things we wanted to think about doing with him,'' Haley said. "We had a little plan in addition to having him ready to play if needed.
"We weren't making a change there. I felt good about both guys being prepared to play and getting the job done.''
In last week's loss to Pittsburgh, Palko spent much of the game yelling at receivers and generally showing body language of a defeated quarterback. Things were different against the Bears.
"Maybe inside he felt frustrated with what happened or was looking over his shoulder (for Orton to replace him) but he never showed it,'' veteran tight end Anthony Becht said.
"I think he learned a lot in the Steelers game. If you just go out there and make smart throws and not turn the ball over, in this league you have a great chance to win. He kept us out of trouble today. He played a great game. I don't know what his stats were but it doesn't matter. He didn't make a mistake and that's what matters. That kept us in the game and we were able to win it.
"It was a great win for him. He had to hear a lot of things being said behind his back the last couple weeks so this is impressive.''
It would have been less impressive without the Hail Mary. The Chiefs initially thought about sending Ryan Succop out for a 56-yard field goal attempt.
"I conferred with (special teams coach Steve Hoffman) real quick and I didn't like the look in his eyes so we went to the jump ball,'' Haley said.
Palko bought some time with a move to his right and put the ball right where it needed to be. Linebacker Brian Urlacher knocked it down but McCluster caught the deflection.
"Those types of plays, I know I have enough athleticism to buy some time and at least give it a shot at the end zone,'' Palko said.
