The New Orleans Saints won't have wide receiver Marques Colston or tight end Jeremy Shockey when they welcome the Minnesota Vikings to the Superdome on Monday night, but can't afford to dwell on those absences.

The Saints are looking to remain in the heart of what has become a crowded NFC South race, and have already shown the ability to play winning football without the two pass-catching stars.

Minus Colston (thumb) and Shockey (groin) last Sunday, the Saints managed to keep the San Francisco 49ers at arm's length in a 31-17 victory. Quarterback Drew Brees was able to complete 23-of-35 passes for 363 yards with three touchdowns in the triumph, leaning heavily on non-household names like Lance Moore (7 receptions, 101 yards, 2 TD) and Robert Meachem (2 receptions, 99 yards, 1 TD) to do his dirty work.

The Saints entered Week 5 leading the NFL in passing offense (327.2 yards per game) and completion percentage (72.3), while Brees paced the league in passing yards (1343) through the first four weeks.

Chances are, Brees' right arm will be busy on Monday night.

The Vikings have been one of the NFL's top run-stopping teams over the past several years, and through four games of 2008 were ranked third in NFL rushing defense (71.8 yards per game).

That strength against opposing runners has been one of the few bright spots for Minnesota, however.

The Vikings have been among the league's most disappointing clubs this year, polishing off a losing September with a 30-17 loss at the Tennessee Titans last week.

Brad Childress' squad helped seal its fate with three turnovers in the game, and quarterback Gus Frerotte (25-of-43 passing, 266 yards, two turnovers) failed to consistently move the offense before exiting in the fourth quarter with a hand injury.

Frerotte was replaced late in the Titans game by former starter Tarvaris Jackson, but the veteran journeyman is expected to start on Monday.

Also slated to be in the lineup is well-respected left tackle Bryant McKinnie, who finished serving his four-game suspension for violating the NFL's personal conduct policy.

SERIES HISTORY

Minnesota has a 17-7 lead in its all-time regular season series with New Orleans, and extended its winning streak over the Saints to three with a 33-16 home win in 2005. The Vikes were 38-31 winners when they last visited New Orleans in 2004. The Saints' most recent win in the series was in 2001 at the Superdome.

In addition to the regular season series, the teams have met twice in the postseason, with Minnesota winning an NFC Divisional Playoff in 2000 and an NFC First-Round playoff in 1987.

The Vikings' Childress and Saints' Sean Payton will be meeting each other, as well as their counterpart's respective team, for the first time as head coaches.

WHEN THE VIKINGS HAVE THE BALL

Frerotte (470 passing yards, 1 TD, 2 INT) hasn't been the second coming of Fran Tarkenton in his two starts, but he has thrown for over 200 yards in each game and kept some of the pressure off Adrian Peterson (420 rushing yards, 3 TD, 9 receptions) and the Minnesota running game. His 266 passing yards versus the Titans were the highest total in Childress' 36 games on the job, and players like Bernard Berrian (11 receptions), Bobby Wade (13 receptions), and tight end Visanthe Shiancoe (10 receptions, 1 TD) have begun to benefit from the presence of a more capable passer in the lineup. Berrian posted a team- high 78 receiving yards on five catches against the Titans, Wade had seven grabs for 75 yards, and Shiancoe had season-bests with four receptions for 47 yards. That said, the strength of the Minnesota attack remains the running game, and the presence of McKinnie should only help Peterson and backup Chester Taylor (81 rushing yards, 7 receptions) gain some traction. Peterson had 101 yards on 22 total touches in Tennessee, including a pair of rushing scores. The Vikings line, minus McKinnie, allowed 10 sacks during the month of September.

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