KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- The Kansas City Chiefs know that theyre going to get the opposing teams best shot every time they step on the field. That comes with being the NFLs lone unbeaten team. They wouldnt want it any other way. "We love it," Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith said. "You want the stages to get bigger. Thats why you put all the work in. You want this opportunity. You want that honour." The Chiefs got another stiff test from the Cleveland Browns on Sunday, racing out to a big first-half lead and then holding on through a harrowing second half. The result was a tenuous 23-17 victory and just the second 8-0 start in franchise history. Kansas City is the first team in NFL history to win its first eight games after having the leagues worst record the previous season. "I mean, not that anybody sneaks up on anybody in this league, but yeah, were the only undefeated team," said Smith, who threw for 225 yards and two touchdowns. "I think that teams have recognized how were playing and no question, theyre coming prepared." Jason Campbell, starting in place of the ineffective Brandon Weeden, threw for 293 yards and two touchdowns for the Browns. His second scoring pass, a 17-yarder to Fozzy Whittaker out of the backfield, got Cleveland within a field goal early in the third quarter. The Chiefs kept making stops down the stretch, though. They punted with 3:55 left, but forced Campbell out of the pocket on fourth down, and his pass bounced off wide receiver Davone Bess for an incompletion. It was one of several drops for Bess, who also fumbled on a punt return. Ryan Succop tacked on his third field goal of the game with 17 seconds left, and the Browns were unable to do anything with their final possession before time expired. "We werent able to make the plays at the end there to win the game," Brown coach Rob Chudzinski said. "Kansas City started fast and we werent able to get anything going early in the game. I thought our guys did a great job of fighting and getting back in the game. "We were in position a couple of times," he said, "one break or one play." Josh Gordon had five catches for 132 yards and a touchdown in what could be his final game for the Browns. Theyve been fielding offers for him ahead of Tuesdays trade deadline. "I know just as much as you all know," Gordon said. "When it happens, if it doesnt happen, well know at the same time." The Chiefs marched downfield on the games opening possession before settling for Succops first field goal, and then did the exact same thing when they got the ball back moments later. Kansas City eventually reached the end zone early in the second quarter when Smith found fullback Anthony Sherman out of the backfield on third-and-10. He picked up a couple of marvelous blocks and rumbled 12 yards for his first career score and a 13-0 lead. Meanwhile, the Browns offence struggled to get on track, going three-and-out on their first three series. Campbell overshot a couple of wide receivers, but the real problem was their lack of a running game -- they had three carries for minus-1 yard at halftime. "We have to start faster," Campbell said. It took some trickery for Cleveland to score. Campbell handed off to Willis McGahee, who flipped it back to the quarterback, and he hit Gordon in stride for a 39-yard reception. The good vibes on their sideline were short-lived, though. Jamaal Charles ripped off two long runs, including one to convert another third down -- the Chiefs were 9 of 12 in the half -- to get into Cleveland territory. Smith finished the drive by hitting Dexter McCluster down the seam for a 28-yard scoring pass. The Browns managed to get a field goal to get within 20-10 just before the break, and then carried the momentum into the second half, closing within a field goal on Whittakers TD catch. That was as close as the Chiefs defence would allow them to get. "The best you can be right now is 8-0 and thats where were at," Chiefs linebacker Derrick Johnson said. "Everybodys going to give us their best. We know that. If we can take that punch and keep rolling, thats what we did today. It wasnt pretty, but a W sure does look good." Notes: Chiefs DL Mike Catapano left the game with a sprained ankle and did not return. ... Charles briefly left the game with a bruised knee. ... Browns WR Travis Benjamin left the game with a knee injury. ... Smith had thrown 122 passes without a TD completion before hitting Sherman in the second quarter. Hes the first QB since 1970 to win his first eight games with a new team. Brent Honeywell Jersey . "Its way better than running gassers, thats for sure," the inside linebacker said Monday, when the Chargers started their third and final week of organized team activities, which are practices in shorts, jerseys and helmets. Mike Brosseau Jersey . Louis Cardinals placed outfielder Allen Craig on the 15-day disabled list with a right knee contusion on Sunday. https://www.cheapraysonline.com/ . - While a fast-paced offence has become more of a fixture in recent years, the San Antonio Spurs can still grind out games when needed. Evan Longoria Rays Jersey . They were right in that they responded to coach Randy Carlyles goaltending switch to erase a two-goal deficit. Stitched Rays Jerseys . He still wanted out. "It just seemed like the direction they were going didnt fit what I thought my career was going to be," Kesler said. "At the end of the day I want to win a championship and I want to win it now, and four years is a little too long for me. CLEVELAND -- No one will fault the Charlotte Bobcats for taking a moment to savour their second post-season appearance in franchise history. Theyve come a long way in a short period of time. Al Jefferson scored 24 points, including seven in overtime, and the Bobcats clinched a playoff spot with a 96-94 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Saturday night. Charlotte is in the post-season for the second time in its 10-year history and the first time since 2010. The Bobcats (39-38) are over .500 for the second time this season and hold seventh place in the Eastern Conference. Steve Clifford, the Bobcats third coach in three seasons, praised his teams character. "This is a significant accomplishment for our group of guys, and it puts us in a different place in the league," he said. "The guys in the locker room are excited -- and they should be -- because weve got a good group of guys and a group of guys who are truly deserving." While the Bobcats were celebrating, the Cavaliers slim playoff hopes suffered yet another damaging loss despite a career-high 44 points from Kyrie Irving. Cleveland (31-47) trails eighth-place Atlanta by 3 1/2 games for the final playoff spot in the East. The Bobcats have made significant progress since finishing 7-59 in the lockout-shortened 2011-12 season. Charlotte was 21-61 last season. "Words cant describe it," guard Kemba Walker said. "For me, Gerald (Henderson), and Biz (Bismack Biyombo), we were the original guys here. We were on the worst team my first two years, so to go from there to here, its like night and day." Hendersons basket gave Charlotte a 90-89 lead with 1:08 remaining and the Bobcats made four free throws down the stretch to seal the win. Walker scored 20 points and Henderson added 15 for the Bobcats, who have won four straight and swept the four-game season series with Cleveland. "This means a lot, individually and as a team," Henderson said. "I thought we would be good, but I think weve exceeded everybodys expectations -- even our own." Irving, wwho defended himself before the game over reports hes unhappy in Cleveland, was 16 of 31 from the field, including five 3-pointers.ddddddddddddHe added eight assists and seven rebounds. The Cavaliers could be eliminated from contention before they play again Wednesday. Irving admitted hell be paying attention to what Atlanta and New York -- the teams ahead of Cleveland -- are doing. "In this game, anything can happen," he said. "I know the Knicks and Hawks play some pretty tough teams coming up. Ill definitely be watching. Well see." Walkers 3-pointer with 32 seconds remaining in regulation gave Charlotte an 82-80 lead, but Irvings jumper 7 seconds later tied the game. Irvings basket gave Cleveland an 89-86 lead with 1:55 remaining in overtime, but Jefferson hit a free throw and Hendersons basket put the Bobcats ahead. Following a Cleveland turnover, Walker missed a jumper, but Cody Zeller got the rebound and passed it out to Walker, who was fouled and made both shots with 17 seconds remaining to make it 92-89. After Dion Waiters sank two free throws, Walker split a pair of foul shots with 11 seconds to go. Following a time out, Irving took the inbounds pass at the top of the key, but his wide-open 3-pointer rimmed out. "Thats as good a look that I had all night," he said. "It was in and out. It was a crucial miss, (but) I can live with that." Hendersons two free throws with 7 seconds left gave the Bobcats a 95-91 lead. Spencer Hawes made a 3-pointer with 4 seconds to get the Cavaliers within one before Jefferson hit a free throw with 2.3 seconds left. He missed the second, but the Cavaliers had no timeouts remaining and Hawes desperation full-court heave was short. NOTES: Charlotte has defeated Cleveland five straight times. ... Bobcats assistant coach Mark Price, who starred for the Cavaliers from 1986-95, got a big ovation when he was shown on the scoreboard in the second quarter. ... The Bobcats are 3-14 all-time at Quicken Loans Arena, the worst record by a visiting team at the 20-year-old arena. ' ' '