Leftwich, Dixon impress as Steelers down Giants

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- The Pittsburgh Steelers might be fine without the suspended Ben Roethlisberger for the start of the season.

Byron Leftwich and Dennis Dixon combined to lead three long touchdown drives after Roethlisberger made his preseason debut, and the Steelers defeated the Giants 24-17 on Saturday night, spoiling New York's first home game in its new $1.6 billion stadium.

This was a quarterback mismatch. The Steelers (2-0) had three good ones while the Giants (1-1) had only third-stringer Rhett Bomar, with starter Eli Manning (stitches) and backup Jim Sorgi (shoulder) sidelined by injuries.

Leftwich (3 of 6 for 95 yards) gave the Steelers the lead for good at 10-7, tossing a 68-yard touchdown pass play to Mike Wallace with 2:49 left in the half.