PITTSBURGH Ben Roethlisberger's first big gain of the season may occur weeks before he returns to the field.

His six-game suspension for violating the league's personal conduct policy probably will be shortened to four games by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell after the two meet in New York today.

The league plans to review Roethlisberger's behavior since he was accused of sexually assaulting a Georgia college student after a night of drinking in a Milledgeville, Ga., bar on March 5.

Once it was determined six weeks later that Roethlisberger would not be charged by Georgia authorities, Goodell suspended Roethlisberger for the start of the season and ordered him to undergo an extensive evaluation.

If Roethlisberger followed the league's guidelines and stayed out of trouble, Goodell said he would consider cutting the suspension to four games. While Roethlisberger is likely to contend that his conduct has been exemplary and the penalty should be cut even further, perhaps to three games, NFL officials have emphasized that Goodell's initial ruling specified a punishment of at least four games.

Steelers President Art Rooney II is expected to accompany Roethlisberger to the meeting. Goodell's ruling was made in consultation with Rooney and the Steelers, who were angered by the two-time Super Bowl quarterback's behavior and would have punished him if the league hadn't.

Exhibitions

BENGALS 30, COLTS 28: Cedric Peerman had a 93-yard touchdown run in the third quarter and the Bengals beat the host Colts.

Peerman finished with 100 yards rushing, and Jordan Palmer completed 10 of 14 passes for 115 yards and two touchdowns for the Bengals (3-2). Starting quarterback Carson Palmer played for one possession which netted a field goal.

JETS 21, EAGLES 17: Michael Vick's first start in four years was merely a cameo.

Vick led the Eagles to a field goal in two series and Kurt Coleman scored on two fumble returns, but the New York Jets beat Philadelphia 21-17 in their preseason finale Thursday night.

Mark Brunell's 51-yard touchdown pass to former Super Bowl MVP Santonio Holmes in the fourth quarter put the Jets (2-2) ahead to stay against the Eagles (2-2).

Neither team used its starters.

GIANTS 20, PATRIOTS 17: Eli Manning and Tom Brady were solid in their final tuneups for the regular season.

And Rhett Bomar may have nailed down the job as the Giants' backup quarterback, throwing a 60-yard scoring pass to Duke Calhoun with 1:49 to play as the host Giants rallied for a victory over.

Manning (7 of 9 for 91 yards) and Brady (4 of 8 for 51 yards) each threw a touchdown pass on his first series.

LIONS 28, BILLS 23: Matthew Stafford had an interception returned for a touchdown, but third-stringer Drew Stanton threw a pair of second-half touchdown passes to lift the host Lions to a win.

Bills rookie running back C.J. Spiller was rested and running back Fred Jackson missed a third straight game because of a broken left hand.

JAGUARS 13, FALCONS 9: With most starters watching from the sideline, Atlanta and Jacksonville got a last look at players vying for open roster spots.

No one really stood out.

Fullback Brock Bolen scored on a 16-yard run, Josh Scobee kicked two field goals and the host Jaguars beat the Falcons.

BROWNS 13, BEARS 10: Montario Hardesty can't seem to outrun his knee problems.

Cleveland's highly touted rookie running back, whose career at Tennessee was slowed by knee injuries, hurt his left one in the second quarter of Thursday night's win over the Chicago Bears, a potentially major blow to the Browns' running game.

Fellow rookie Colt McCoy got his first pro start and went a perfect 13 of 13 for 131 yards in two-plus quarters.

RAMS 21, RAVENS 21: One perfect series and done for Sam Bradford.

No doubt, facing the Baltimore Ravens' second-string defense made it easier for the No. 1 pick.

Bradford made another favorable impression in his second preseason start, going 6 for 6 for 68 yards and a touchdown to open the St. Louis Rams' victory over visiting Baltimore.

TITANS 21, SAINTS 24: Alvin Pearman's 5-yard touchdown with 3:18 left helped the host Tennessee Titans beat the New Orleans Saints.

Vince Young tossed a TD, and LeGarrette Blount also ran for a score as Tennessee (2-2) protected Chris Johnson by sitting him.

CHIEFS 17, PACKERS 13: Matt Cassel and Brodie Croyle each led touchdown drives and the Kansas City Chiefs beat Green Bay.

Quarterback Aaron Rodgers and a host of other Green Bay starters didn't suit up. Backup Matt Flynn played into the third quarter and hit 23 of 37 passes for 304 yards.