East Rutherford, N.J. ? Steelers 24, Giants 17

The New York Giants’ Justin Tuck, right, rushes Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger during the first quarter of a preseason game Saturday in East Rutherford, N.J. The Steelers won, 24-17.

The Pittsburgh Steelers may 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 beat the Giants on Saturday night, spoiling New York’s first home game in its new $1.6 billion stadium.

Roethlisberger, suspended for the opening six games of the regular season by commissioner Roger Goodell for violating the NFL’s personal-conduct policy, was solid in his first game since the suspension was announced. He completed six of eight passes for 76 yards and an interception and led the Steelers on a 13-play, 58-yard drive that lasted seven-plus minutes and ended in a 26-yard field goal by Jeff Reed.

Saints 38, Texans 20

New Orleans — Drew Brees led New Orleans to two touchdowns — handing off to Reggie Bush for a nine-yard scoring run and leaping over center from a yard out to put New Orleans up, 14-0, in the first quarter.

Brees completed five of 10 passes for 36 yards.

There wasn’t much drop off when Chase Daniel took over in the second quarter for the Super Bowl champion Saints (1-1) in their first home game since the NFC title game.

Daniel worked the last three quarters of the game and completed 15 of 21 passes for 182 yards and three touchdowns. He also threw an interception.

Raiders 32, Bears 17

Chicago — Oakland reserve linebacker Slade Norris recovered a muffed punt in the end zone for a go-ahead TD and later blocked a punt for a safety.

Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher, who missed all but one game last season after hurting his wrist in the season opener, injured his calf on the opening drive.

Ravens 23, Redskins 3

Landover, Md. — Baltimore safety Haruki Nakamura took a direct snap on fourth-and-six and juked his way 51 yards — all the way to the one — in the second quarter to set up the only touchdown scored by either first-team offense.

The Redskins (1-1) had two starters leave due to knee injuries: Fullback Mike Sellers hurt his left knee while blocking on a running play, and free safety Kareem Moore injured his right knee trying to catch up to Nakamura on the fake-punt play.

Jets 9, Panthers 3

Charlotte, N.C. — Mark Sanchez was lucky to avoid two interceptions and failed to get New York (1-1) in the end zone despite great field position.

And he still had the better night of the two starting quarterbacks.

Matt Moore couldn’t lead Carolina (0-2) to any points on a night of dismal offense.

Sanchez was 5-of-10 for 12 yards, a setback after he recovered from an interception on his first pass Monday against the Giants and looked sharp.

Rams 19, Browns 17

Cleveland — Josh Brown made a 28-yard field goal, his fourth field goal of the game, with 3:33 left to lift St. Louis.

Jake Delhomme, making his home debut for Cleveland (1-1), was accurate and efficient in a steady first-half downpour, completing 12 of 16 passes for 127 yards and a touchdown before he was replaced in the second half by Seneca Wallace.

Cowboys 16, Chargers 14

San Diego — Philip Rivers, San Diego’s $93 million quarterback, chased Dallas safety Barry Church for about 70 yards before making a touchdown-saving tackle.

The Cowboys (2-1) scored three plays later to tie it, then went on to win it on a safety with 3:46 left to play. Chargers rookie quarterback Jonathan Crompton was sacked by Victor Butler, who forced a fumble at about the five. The ball rolled into the end zone and was recovered by San Diego rookie left tackle Ryan Otterson.

Lions 25, Broncos 20

Denver — Many in the crowd came hoping to get a glimpse of Denver’s future in Tim Tebow and instead got a peek at the past when former Bronco Dre’ Bly’s 47-yard interception return set up Detroit’s first touchdown.

Detroit third-stringer Drew Stanton’s 25-yard touchdown run on a quarterback draw with 1:53 left was the difference. Brady Quinn drove the Broncos into Lions territory in the closing seconds before Willie Young stripped the ball away.

Tebow’s home debut will have to wait at least another week. He sat out due to bruised ribs he sustained in the exhibition opener a week ago, much to the disappointment of throngs of Broncos fans donning his No. 15 jersey at Invesco Field.

Dolphins 27, Jaguars 26

Jacksonville, Fla. — Eight months after picking apart Jacksonville in the regular season, Chad Henne did it again in a preseason game, completing 11 of 14 passes for 151 yards and two touchdowns in the first half for Miami.

Packers 27, Seahawks 24

Seattle — Aaron Rodgers continues to enjoy a summer carryover from his first Pro Bowl season for Green Bay.

Matt Hasselbeck finally got to enjoy a night like those from his former Pro Bowl days for Seattle.

Rodgers was 8-for-11 for 116 yards and two touchdowns in one easy quarter, and Hasselbeck was 11-for-15 for 127 yards with a score in a redeeming first half before the Packers rallied.