ST. LOUIS -- Quarterback Matt Cassel started for the Kansas City Chiefs and led them to a 27-13 victory, only 11 days after undergoing an emergency appendectomy.

Cassel led the team on the field for pregame workouts Sunday and showed good arm strength, going first ahead of backup Brodie Croyle. The Chiefs did not make an official announcement whether Cassel would start against the St. Louis Rams in a game between surprise playoff contenders.

Cassel completed a 9-yard pass to Jamaal Charles on the Chiefs' first play but the Chiefs went three plays and out. Kansas City deferred after winning the opening toss and the Rams used more than eight minutes on their opening drive, going ahead 3-0 on a field goal by Josh Brown.

Cassel finished by going 15 for 29 for 184 yards, one touchdown and one interception.

Tyler Palko was the third quarterback for the Chiefs.

Kansas City managed only 67 yards with Croyle as the starter last week in a 31-0 loss at San Diego. Cassel had been listed as questionable.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.