PITTSBURGH (AP) _ Brad Johnson and Rodney Peete threw touchdown passes to give Washington a 20-point lead before the Redskins held off a rally led by Pittsburgh rookies to beat the Steelers 27-14 Saturday night.

Johnson, bothered by a swollen knee and limited to less than a quarter because the exhibition game was played on artificial turf, put up a 10-0 lead before exiting and Peete built it to 20-0.

The Redskins' starting defense was all over Steelers quarterback Kordell Stewart, limiting him to 36 yards passing in an ineffective first half in which Pittsburgh never threatened as Washington opened a 13-0 lead.

It wasn't until backup Mike Tomczak took over in the second half against backup defenders that the Steelers' offense began to move, with first-round draft pick Troy Edwards making a 45-yard touchdown catch on fourth-and-3 and rookie Amos Zereoue scoring on a 9-yard run.

Edwards, who apparently will start the season as a backup to Courtney Hawkins, made seven catches for 112 yards. Zereoue, a third-round draft pick, ran 16 times for 74 yards.

Skip Hicks, who appears to be losing out to Stephen Davis to start at running back, blunted Pittsburgh's comeback with a 2-yard touchdown run with 6:40 remaining and Casey Weldon at quarterback.

The Steelers (1-2) have to be concerned after being so inept against Washington's top defense, which sacked Stewart twice and constantly pressured him into hurried throws before his receivers had a chance to get open.

Stewart, who accounted for only one touchdown during the Steelers' season-ending five-game losing streak a year ago, was 7-of-18 for 36 yards with no gain longer than 14 yards. He was more effective as a runner, scrambling five times for 32 yards.

The Redskins have been impressive defensively while going 3-0 in exhibition play, a record that must please new owner Daniel K. Snyder. He challenged his players before the preseason, saying it was important for a team that started 0-7 last year to play well from the start.

Johnson did, going 4-for-6 for 92 yards and the touchdown to Michael Westbrook in about 12 minutes of playing time. With the Steelers in a full blitz on third-and-6, Johnson rushed his throw to Westbrook, who easily beat Deshea Townsend in man-to-man coverage to score with 6:43 left in the first quarter.

James Thrash also beat Townsend one-on-one on his 38-yard scoring catch with 10:13 left in the third quarter, finishing off a 72-yard drive that also saw Peete hit Chad Dukes for 21 yards.

Brett Conway added field goals of 46 and 33 yards for Washington.

Tomczak, a 14-year veteran fighting to remain as the backup to Stewart, was 8-of-12 for 112 yards.

Steelers offensive line coach Kent Stephenson missed the game after being taken to Montefiore Hospital earlier in the day with a leg infection.

Redskins defensive tackle Dan Wilkinson (left ring finger) and defensive end Kenard Lang (left ankle) both left in the first half, as did Steelers defensive end Orpheus Roye (left hand). X-rays on all three were negative.