Packers outlast Steelers

Neither Ben Roethlisberger nor Green Bay’s Brett Favre were impressive.

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Good thing for Ben Roethlisberger and Mike Tomlin this one didn’t count. Brett Favre, too.

Neither Roethlisberger nor Favre did much as the Packers’ and Steelers’ offensive starters were shut out in little less than a quarter’s playing time, with backup Aaron Rodgers throwing a touchdown pass and leading two other scoring drives in Green Bay’s 13-9 exhibition victory Saturday night.

Rodgers, 18-of-27 for 168 yards, produced the Packers’ only touchdown by ending a 71-yard drive on their opening possession of the second half with a 3-yard scoring pass to Carlyle Holiday, who slipped behind safety Anthony Smith in the end zone. Mason Crosby kicked a 52-yard field goal later in the third quarter to make it 13-9, after starting kicker Dave Rayner made a 32-yarder to end the first half.

Tomlin, coaching at Heinz Field for the first time as only the third Steelers head coach in 38 years, did what predecessors Bill Cowher and Chuck Noll did by losing his first preseason home game. He was animated and enthused, slapping hands and clapping loudly just before the opening kickoff, discarding the all-black look he’s had throughout training camp by wearing khaki slacks with his black coaching shirt.

Starters struggle

Then Tomlin found out why the preseason can be so unpredictable as his starting offense, which has been ahead of the defense so far in camp, lost a fumble and punted on its only two possessions. The Steelers’ special teams weren’t much better as Green Bay’s Michael Montgomery overpowered snapper Greg Warren to block Jeff Reed’s extra point after Pittsburgh’s only touchdown and a 45-yard Cedrick Wilson punt return was called back for holding.

Green Bay coach Mike McCarthy, a native Pittsburgher who once worked in his father’s tavern near a steel mill, returned home for the first time as an NFL head coach and left a winner before dozens of friends and family members.

Favre played in Pittsburgh for the only the second time in his 17-season career, and probably isn’t eager for a return visit. McCarthy, intent on developing some continuity on his offense, allowed Favre to play four series but the Packers went three plays-and-out on each, with Favre going 2-of-7 for seven yards.

Roethlisberger completed both of his passes for 14 yards while playing two series. But Cullen Jenkins stripped him of the ball and fell on Roethlisberger’s fumble on a third-and-5 play from Green Bay’s 36 on Pittsburgh’s opening drive, and the second possession stalled at the Steelers’ 38.