By Tony Moss, NFL Editor -- (Sports Network) - 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.

The Vikings won't be shy in trying to establish Peterson against a Saints defense that is allowing a bloated 5.2 yards per rush on the year. Defensive tackles Brian Young (1 tackle) and Kendrick Clancy (10 tackles, 1 sack) will have to hold their own against Minnesota's run-blockers, and linebackers Jonathan Vilma (35 tackles) and Scott Fujita (12 tackles, 1 INT) will be among those attempting to make plays behind them. Sedrick Ellis, the 2008 first- round DT, will miss 2-4 weeks with a torn right meniscus. The Saints rank just 29th in the league against the pass (249.2 yards per game), but made several big plays in the win over the 49ers. Cornerback Tracy Porter (22 tackles, 1 sack, 1 INT) and safety Kevin Kaesviharn (26 tackles, 1 INT) both had interceptions of the Niners' J.T. O'Sullivan, and pass rushers Charles Grant (18 tackles, 3 sacks) and Will Smith (14 tackles, 2 INT) combined for three of the team's six sacks on the day. Prior to that win, New Orleans had just two picks and four sacks through its first three games.

WHEN THE SAINTS HAVE THE BALL

Colston and Shockey aren't the only targets that Brees (8 TD, 4 INT) will be missing on Monday night, as veteran David Patten has also been ruled out with a groin problem. That will again put the onus on the likes of Moore (17 receptions, 2 TD) and Meachem (5 receptions, 2 TD), who are not well-known but have shown the ability to be productive in Payton's offense. Moore, the diminutive third-year-pro out of Toledo, has 14 catches for 179 yards and two touchdowns over his past two games, while the 2007 first-round pick Meachem has chipped in with a whopping 204 yards on just five grabs (40.8 yards per reception) over his past three contests. Seeking to bounce back from a quiet outing against the 49ers will be multi-purpose threat Reggie Bush (183 rushing yards, 31 receptions, 4 TD), who was held to 38 yards on 15 total touches last week. Veteran Deuce McAllister (83 rushing yards) made more noise in the rushing game, carrying 20 times for 73 yards and a touchdown in his best showing of the 2008 season to date. The Saints line has thus far allowed just four sacks, and Brees was not dropped at all last Sunday.

Keeping the Saints passing game in check will require the Vikings secondary to be consistent in coverage and make some of the big plays that have been absent through the first four weeks. Minnesota has just two interceptions in four games, with one each from cornerbacks Antoine Winfield (21 tackles, 1 sack) and Charles Gordon (13 tackles), and players like safeties Darren Sharper (19 tackles), Tyrell Johnson (16 tackles), and cornerback Cedric Griffin (18 tackles) have not made much of an impact. A Minnesota pass rush that was supposed to be a credit to the defense has also been a major disappointment, with Pro Bowl end Jared Allen (11 tackles) posting just two sacks thus far and not serving as a major difference-maker. The Vikings did not have a sack of Tennessee's Kerry Collins last week. Minnesota's run defense remains stout thanks to tackles Pat Williams (16 tackles) and Kevin Williams (18 tackles, 2 sacks), along with linebackers E.J. Henderson (27 tackles, 1 sack) and Chad Greenway (34 tackles, 1 sack), but the team is expected to be without Henderson (foot/toes) on Monday.

FANTASY FOCUS

Peterson continues to be a fantasy achiever despite the limitations of the rest of the offense, and no one in their right mind would consider sitting him. Normally you wouldn't consider starting Frerotte or a receiver like Berrian, but the fact that the Saints don't have a great pass rush or secondary makes those players OK options if you've nowhere else to turn. Vikings kicker Ryan Longwell has been solid, but the Minnesota defense has been disappointing and made a scant few big plays.

Brees has proven he can put up numbers no matter who his targets are, and many fantasy results this week will be riding on his exploits. Many will also be starting Moore after his back-to-back strong weeks, and that's a prudent approach given the way Minnesota inspires teams to throw the ball. Bush won't put up rushing numbers against the Vikings, but most of his production comes through the air anyway. Start him. Stay away from the Saints defense and kicker Martin Gramatica, who has been hobbled by a groin injury.

OVERALL ANALYSIS

The lofty predictions made of the Vikings in the preseason had much to do with the projected strength of their defense, but that side of the ball hasn't nearly lived up to expectations. The run-stopping unit has been good, but has also given up too many big plays, and the pass rush and secondary have again allowed opponents to rack up a great deal of yardage. Don't expect that trend to change against the Saints. Brees has a quick release that prevents teams from putting a great deal of pressure on him, and he's also accurate enough to carve up Minnesota's Tampa-2. The Vikings will also score some points against the Saints defense, but there aren't enough weapons for Minnesota to trade score for score. Look for New Orleans to pull away in the fourth.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Saints 30, Vikings 20