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Leftwich leads Steelers to 23-6 win over Redskins

(Agencies)
Updated: 2008-11-04 15:52

LANDOVER, Maryland - Reserve quarterback Byron Leftwich filled in for injured Pro Bowler Ben Roethlisberger and helped guide the Pittsburgh Steelers to a 23-6 victory over the Washington Redskins on Monday.

Leftwich completed seven of 10 passes for 129 yards and a touchdown after replacing Roethlisberger, who suffered an injury to his right shoulder and sat out the second half.

"Byron is an experienced player," Steelers running back Willie Parker told reporters. "He is not new to this. No one was surprised by how well Byron came out and played.

"Ben went down and Byron seamlessly came in and did what he had to do."

The victory kept the Steelers on top of the AFC North at 6-2, while the loss dropped the second-placed Redskins to 6-3 and further behind the New York Giants (7-1) in the NFC East.

Roethlisberger completed just five of 17 passes for 50 yards before hurting his throwing shoulder in the second quarter.

He scored on a one-yard rushing touchdown with 32 seconds left in the first half to give the Steelers a 10-6 lead but handed over Leftwich at the start of the third quarter.

SCORING MARCH

Leftwich, a six-year NFL veteran who was born in Washington, made the most of his opportunity by guiding the Steelers on a 72-yard scoring march to open the second half.

"I knew I could play," said Leftwich. "I'm just happy that I got an opportunity."

Parker's one-yard touchdown run gave Pittsburgh a 16-6 lead and the Steelers never looked back. The big play of the drive was a 50-yard strike from Leftwich to Nate Washington.

"Byron Leftwich came home to D.C. and put together a winning performance for us," said Steelers coach Mike Tomlin. "He is a popular guy right now in that locker room."

Tomlin said Roethlisberger was capable of playing in the second half but since Leftwich was moving the offense he decided to give his starter the rest of the night off.

The Redskins' offense was unable to muster any consistent attack against the NFL's top-ranked defense.

Quarterback Jason Campbell completed 24 of 43 passes for 206 yards and two interceptions, while Clinton Portis, the NFL's top rusher, managed only 51 yards on 13 carries.

"They just made plays," said Redskins tackle Chris Samuels. "They were physical. They executed and we didn't"

A five-yard scoring toss from Leftwich to Santonio Holmes in the final quarter gave the Steelers a 23-6 lead and sealed their fourth win in five games.

"We are far from perfect, we make no bones about that," said Tomlin. "But we are a team that sticks together and makes plays at times that they need to be made."