By Tony Moss, NFL Editor -- (Sports Network) - The annual preseason battle for Keystone State supremacy will be played at Lincoln Financial Field on Friday night, as the Philadelphia Eagles play host to the Pittsburgh Steelers in each team's next-to-last 2006 tune-up. In keeping with the traditional NFL approach in the third full week of the preseason, both the Eagles and Steelers are expected to play their starters for at least a half on Friday night.

The Eagles will be looking for Donovan McNabb and the first-team offense to run with continued efficiency on Friday night, after the quarterback and the rest of the No. 1 unit posted some encouraging moments in the team's first three preseason games. McNabb has been crisp, completing 16-of-22 passes for 204 yards and a touchdown, with no interceptions and just one sack on his ledger. With the Eagles looking for a new receiving principles in the wake of Terrell Owens' very public departure from Philadelphia, both rookie Hank Baskett (3 receptions, 46 yards) and offseason free agent pickup Jabar Gaffney (5 receptions, 44 yards) have had their moments. McNabb's lone touchdown pass of the preseason to date came last week, when he connected with reserve running back Reno Mahe on a 1-yard pass play in an eventual 20-10 loss to the Ravens. On the defensive side of the ball, rookie tackle Brodrick Bunkley (Florida State) was impressive in Baltimore, notching a sack-and-a-half on the night. On the injury front, running back Brian Westbrook (sprained foot) and wideout Todd Pinkston (Achilles) are among the prominent Eagles not expected to be in the lineup on Friday.

Like McNabb, Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has also been solid in the preseason, making the most of his limited time by completing 6-of-8 pass attempts for 59 yards and a touchdown. Roethlisberger has shown no ill effects of the serious motorcycle accident that caused multiple head injuries on June 12th, and has also managed to play despite lingering thumb problems. In last Saturday's 17-10 loss to Minnesota, Roethlisberger threw a 16-yard touchdown pass to receiver Cedrick Wilson on the Steelers' opening drive. Running back Willie Parker (4 carries, 17 yards) should see his most extensive time of the preseason on Friday night, after the starting running back carried just once versus the Vikings. On defense, head coach Bill Cowher will be looking to determine whether Tyrone Carter or Ryan Clark will be his starting free safety. Wideout Hines Ward (hamstring), tight end Jerame Tuman (hamstring), and cornerback Deshea Townsend (broken thumb) are among the Pittsburgh notables who will not appear in Philadelphia.

Philadelphia holds a 16-15-1 edge in the all-time preseason series with Pittsburgh, but dropped a 38-31 decision to the Steelers prior to last season. The Eagles also lead the regular season series, 45-27-3.