Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker James Farrior (right), safety Tyrone Carter (centre) and linebacker LaMarr Woodley (56) celebrate during the fourth quarter of their NFL football game against the Washington Redskins on Monday night in Landover. The Steelers won 23-6. - AP

LANDOVER, Maryland (AP):

BYRON LEFTWICH led two touchdown drives after Ben Roethlisberger reinjured his throwing shoulder and the Pittsburgh Steelers beat the Washington Redskins 23-6 on Monday night.

The Steelers' top-rated defence had seven sacks, allowed only 221 yards and became the first team this season to intercept Jason Campbell.

Leftwich went 7-of-10 for 129 yards and a touchdown as the Steelers (6-2) beat an NFC East team for the first time in three attempts this season.

Roethlisberger was 5-of-17 for 50 yards and an interception before leaving the game at halftime, again hindered by the slightly separated shoulder that has bothered him since the second week of the season.

Four-week lay-off

Leftwich's 50-yard completion to Nate Washington set up a one-yard TD run by Willie Parker, who was back from a four-week lay-off with a knee injury. He also had a five-yard scoring pass to Santonio Holmes, who returned from a one-game benching over a charge for a marijuana-related offence.

Roethlisberger celebrated that touchdown on the sideline by high-fiving his teammates with his left hand.

The Steelers held Clinton Portis to 51 yards rushing, ending his streak of five straight games with at least 120 yards. Washington (6-3) came close to scoring a touchdown only once - when Campbell threw incomplete to eligible lineman Lorenzo Alexander on fourth-and-goal at the one in the fourth quarter. Campbell, who finished 24-of-43 for 206 yards, thought he had scored on a scramble on the previous play, but a replay challenge showed he was down just before the goal line.

Steelers on top

While the Steelers remain atop the AFC North, the Redskins lost ground in the NFC East to the New York Giants. Washington enter their bye week needing to tweak an offence that has put together promising drives all season, but has often struggled to find the end zone.

The game was the first hosted by Washington on the eve of a presidential election since 1984, and there was no mistaking the combination of football and election fever. One fan alternately waved a white towel with Barack Obama's image in the left hand and an all-burgundy Redskins towel in the right hand. Sports-themed interviews with Obama and McCain were broadcast by ESPN during half-time.

The Redskins also used the special occasion to wear burgundy jerseys and pants together for the first time in franchise history.