Minnesota Vikings defeat Pittsburgh Steelers, 14-3, in Hall of Fame game

Backup quarterback Mike Kafka threw a touchdown pass and running back Joe Banyard ran for another score to help the Minnesota Vikings beat the Pittsburgh Steelers, 14-3, on Sunday night in the Hall of Fame game at Canton, Ohio.

Most of the regulars watched from the sidelines in the annual exhibition opener, including Adrian Peterson and Ben Roethlisberger.

Minnesota quarterback Teddy Bridgewater completed five of six passes for 44 yards in his one series of work. The reigning rookie of the year’s night ended when the Steelers stopped the Vikings on fourth down midway through the first quarter.

Landry Jones completed 15 of 32 passes for 128 yards and an interception while taking nearly every Pittsburgh snap. He led the Steelers on their only scoring drive of the half, finding Shakim Phillips for a 35-yard strike that set up a 36-yard field goal by Shaun Suisham.

Kafka took advantage of a blown coverage to connect with MyCole Pruitt for an easy 34-yard TD strike 4 minutes 20 seconds left in the first half.

The Vikings extended the lead midway through the third quarter following a 62-yard punt return by rookie wide receiver Stefon Diggs. He was tripped up just short of the goal line. No matter — one play later, Banyard strolled into the end zone to make it 14-3.

Lavonte David’s pact extended

Lavonte David and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have agreed to a five-year, $50.25-million contract extension that will make him one of the highest-paid linebackers in the NFL. More than $25 million of the deal is guaranteed.

David, entering his fourth season, is the only player in the league with 10 or more sacks and six-plus interceptions over the past three seasons. The 25-year-old was an All-Pro in 2013, when he had seven sacks and five interceptions.

Etc.

The Buffalo Bills have signed cornerback Nickell Robey to a contract extension. Terms were not disclosed. The Bills designated wide receiver Justin Brown as waived/injured and brought back defensive end Erik Williams.

::

Carolina Panthers defensive end Charles Johnson was carted off the practice field at Spartanburg, S.C., because of a left ankle injury. Coach Ron Rivera said Sunday that he doesn’t believe the injury is serious. Johnson is the team’s top pass rusher and a key cog in a defense that has finished in the top 10 in each of the past three seasons.

::

Eagles rookie cornerback JaCorey Shepherd will have an MRI exam on Monday to determine the extent of a right leg injury suffered in Sunday’s open practice.

::

A banner supporting the Dallas Cowboys flew over Eagles practice during the national anthem on military appreciation day Sunday at Philadelphia. The banner read: “We still dem Boyz! [hash] Sackscomin!” The Dallas Morning News reported the Cowboys’ Greg Hardy paid $300 to help fund the project.