Gameday: Vikings at New Orleans

New Orleans quarterback Drew Brees, the NFC's offensive player of the month for September, runs a passing offense that was atop the NFL entering Sunday and figures to add a chunk to his 1,343 yards passing in this one. The Vikings pass defense ranked last in the NFL in 2007 and was 17th entering the weekend. Receiver Marques Colton (thumb) and tight end Jeremy Shockey (hernia) won't play for the Saints, but second-year receiver Robert Meachem has emerged as a deep threat. Saints running back Reggie Bush was tied for the NFL lead with 31 catches entering Week 5.

If the Vikings passing game is ever going to have a breakout performance, this figures to be the night. New Orleans' pass defense was 29th in the league before Sunday and Vikings receiver Bernard Berrian said last week that "there's a lot of big holes" in that unit. Quarterback Gus Frerotte has the ability to hurt the Saints deep -- if he's allowed to go downfield -- and Berrian could be his target. Berrian has yet to catch a touchdown pass for the Vikings, but if he's right about New Orleans' shortcomings that drought could soon end.

There is no doubt the loss of backup linebacker Heath Farwell to a season-ending knee injury in the opening exhibition game has had a major impact on the Vikings' special teams. Nonetheless, these units need to start being more productive. This is especially true of the punt coverage team, which is giving up an average of 11.5 yards per return and is near the bottom of the league. Bush is averaging 21.3 yards on four punt returns for New Orleans and took one back 55 yards for a touchdown in Week 2 against Washington. Remember, the Vikings gave up a 76-yard punt return for a touchdown to the Packers' Will Blackmon in their season opener.

GAMEBREAKER ONE GUY WHO COULD CHANGE EVERYTHING

The second-year standout hasn't rushed for 100 yards in a game the past two weeks. That figures to change tonight. The Saints are giving up 5.2 yards per carry to opposing rushers, which placed them second to last in the NFL entering Sunday. Peterson, meanwhile, is among the league's rushing leaders with 420 yards and averages 5.1 yards every time he is handed the ball. In 18 career games, Peterson is averaging 97.8 yards rushing.

KEY STAT

3

Number of drops by the Saints in 148 pass attempts this season, according to STATS, Inc. Only Carolina (one) and Miami (zero) had fewer dropped passes. The Vikings have been charged with five drops. Philadelphia had a league-high 11.

IN FOCUS

The Vikings are 24-24 all-time on "Monday Night Football," including 10-17 in away games. The Vikings opened this season with a 24-19 loss at Green Bay in a Monday night game. This will be the Vikings' final Monday game this season but not their last scheduled prime-time appearance. The Vikings-Chicago matchup on Nov. 30 is slated to be NBC's Sunday night game.

JUDD'S PICK

How about a good old-fashioned shootout? The Saints love to throw the ball and figure to put up yards against the Vikings pass defense. New Orleans' is suspect against both the pass and the run and the 1-3 Vikings need to take advantage. This would be a good time for the Vikings to loosen that collar around their playcalling.