Coach Mike Tomlin put Willie Parker and Ben Roethlisberger to work last night, and the results were mixed.

The Steelers' two offensive stars responded to early mistakes with their most productive games this preseason as the Steelers defeated the Philadelphia Eagles at Heinz Field, 27-13.

The victory gave Tomlin a 3-1 record in his first preseason with one to go. The Eagles fell to 1-2.

In just two quarters of play, Roethlisberger threw for 247 yards, 73 more than in his first three games combined.

Parker ran 10 times and caught three passes for 72 total yards in his most extensive playing time since last season.

Yet, Roethlisberger threw an interception and missed some open receivers, and Parker, while he ran for an 18-yard touchdown, gained just 14 yards on his other nine carries, one of which ended with a lost fumble.

"I like how we smiled in the face of adversity tonight," Tomlin said. "Unfortunately, we created some of that adversity, especially early on."

"Right now, no, I wouldn't say we're ready, but we overcame adversity tonight," Parker said. "I got into the end zone and I fumbled down at the end zone. I overcame adversity, but I'm really not satisfied with how I played."

Roethlisberger's first interception of the preseason ended his team's first drive, but he passed the Steelers into position to score three other times. Parker lost a fumble at the Eagles' 1 in the second quarter. He supplemented his 32 yards rushing with 40 yards receiving on three screen or short passes.

"We got into a rhythm that last drive," Parker said of an 80-yard drive that ended with his touchdown run. "I told them I messed up, but I'm going to give my all on this drive, and that's what we did."

Tomlin, as promised, played his first teams a full two quarters before turning to the backups in the second half. He did, however, alternate players at three positions still under scrutiny.

Willie Colon started at right tackle and Kendall Simmons at right guard, but they gave way to Max Starks and Chris Kemoeatu in the second quarter. Veteran Dan Kreider started at fullback and alternated series with young Carey Davis.

Roethlisberger completed 13 of 25 passes -- eight more tosses than he had in the first three games combined -- and, while they covered a lot of territory, he still has not thrown a touchdown pass in four games. He retired for the night with his team ahead, 13-3.

Charlie Batch played the third quarter and completed 3 of 3 passes for 65 yards, one 30-yard pass setting up a 1-yard touchdown run by Kevan Barlow in the third quarter.

While the Steelers' first-team offense was lukewarm, their defense stopped the Eagles cold. Philadelphia's first offense managed 89 total yards in the half (compared to 297 by the Steelers) -- 45 rushing, 44 passing.

Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb completed just 5 of 11 passes, and he was sacked twice.

"I was pleased with the way the defense stood their ground," Tomlin said.

Philadelphia's only score against the Steelers' first defense came after a poor punt put them in the red zone to start.

The Eagles went ahead, 3-0, after rookie Daniel Sepulveda shanked his punt so poorly from his end zone it traveled only 14 yards and wobbled out of bounds. Sepulveda set up in the Steelers' end zone, and the ball made it only to the 20.

Some good play on defense held Philadelphia out of the end zone, and the Eagles had to settle for David Akers' 22-yard field goal. Philadelphia had first down at the 6 and in three plays managed just 2 yards before the kick.

Roethlisberger threw an interception that looked very much like many he threw last season to end his first series at midfield. The Steelers had first-and-10 and were driving, when the quarterback dropped back to pass and came under heavy pressure. As Eagles tackle Mike Patterson wrapped his arms around Roethlisberger, the quarterback tried to flip a pass out to the left to Parker. His arm was hit by another defender, and the ball fluttered into the hands of linebacker Trent Cole.

"I'd rather hold onto the ball," said Tomlin, suggesting Roethlisberger should have taken the sack or "either throw it to someone on our team or to no one."

Another turnover by the Steelers proved more costly, preventing a score of their own. Roethlisberger completed a 38-yard pass to Heath Miller to the 1. On first down, the Steelers lined up in the I-formation with Parker behind fullback Dan Kreider. Roethlisberger faked a handoff and threw an incomplete fade pass to Miller.

On second down, he handed off to Parker, who fumbled it away to the Eagles as he was hit by linebacker Takeo Spikes.

"You don't like fumbles," Tomlin said. "You don't like fumbles in the red zone."