When he returned, Vikings coach Brad Childress approached to ask about his aching quarterback's health.

NFL Week 5

Week 5 action

Redskins 23, Eagles 17 -- Recap | Box
Giants 44, Seahawks 6 -- Recap | Box
Titans 13, Ravens 10 -- Recap | Box
Bears 34, Lions 7 -- Box score
Falcons 27, Packers 24 -- Recap | Box
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Cowboys 31, Bengals 22 -- Recap | Box
Patriots 30, 49ers 21 -- Recap | Box
Steelers 26, Jaguars 21 -- Recap | Box
Vikings 30, Saints 27 -- Recap | Box


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Analysis

• Johnson: 'Wildcat' gives Miami edge
  
• Glazer: Raiders, Rams dysfunctional
  
• Marvez: Broncos elite once again
  

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Video

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• Raiders' coaching carousel
  

"I'll be OK," Frerotte said. "But I need two days off."

Childress smiled and responded, "Always the politician."

By NFL standards, the 37-year-old Frerotte would be considered the equivalent of John McCain. The biggest difference: Frerotte already can claim victory in 2008.

Frerotte's deep passing proved the difference in Monday night's wild 30-27 triumph at New Orleans. Ryan Longwell's game-winning field goal with 13 seconds remaining was set up by a 42-yard pass interference penalty that wide receiver Bernard Berrian drew on Saints safety Kevin Kaesviharn.

Plays like that helped Frerotte further win over a squad that was rudderless on offense until his promotion into the starting lineup three games ago.

"I can't say enough about what he's done from a leadership and confidence level and what he brings to the huddle," Vikings left guard Steve Hutchinson said. "Everybody feeds off that."

A perfect example came midway through the fourth quarter. The Saints were on the verge of pulling away after Reggie Bush's second punt return for a touchdown gave New Orleans a 27-20 lead. The noise inside the Louisiana Superdome had become so deafening that Frerotte was forced to use a silent snap count.

Frerotte, though, found a way to muzzle the crowd.

On first down from the Vikings 37-yard line, Frerotte ran a naked bootleg designed to give wide receiver Bernard Berrian time to motor downfield. Frerotte waited as long as he could before heaving a 36-yard completion but paid a heavy price. Saints defensive end Will Smith delivered a hit that caused Frerotte's head to spin.

But even while sprawled on the turf, Frerotte had enough awareness to milk the injury so his backup had more time to warm-up. After missing just one snap, Frerotte returned and ultimately lobbed a 33-yard touchdown pass to Berrian that tied the score.

"He was taking a beating," said Berrian, who admittedly ran the wrong route on his scoring play. "It was willpower. He's got strong character to come in and take hits like that and still be ready to fight for you."

Tarvaris Jackson should be taking notes.

The Vikings were 0-2 when Childress made the controversial decision to bench Jackson in favor of a journeyman who has played for seven different teams over the past decade. Frerotte isn't nearly as mobile as Jackson or particularly accurate, having completed more than 60 percent of his throws just twice in 15 NFL seasons.

Frerotte, though, possesses traits that Jackson still lacks in his third NFL season.

"Tarvaris made huge strides in the past two years, but there's no substitute for experience," Hutchinson said. "You don't get the deer-in-the-headlight look. Not to say you get that from Tarvaris. But from a guy who has been around 15 years, you don't get that at all in any situation."

Minnesota has won two of three games with Frerotte in the starting lineup. He understands the importance of taking shots downfield to create rushing opportunities for star running back Adrian Peterson. That wasn't happening enough with Jackson under center.

"With the running game we have, we've got to get those [defenders] out of that box," said Frerotte, who completed 19 of 36 passes for 222 yards against New Orleans. "That's the only way we're going to do it."

Frerotte's efforts Monday didn't pay dividends for Peterson, who was held to 32 yards on 21 carries. In fact, the Saints (2-3) squandered numerous opportunities to run over Minnesota.

Kicker Martin Gramatica had one blocked field goal returned for a Vikings touchdown and missed a 46-yard attempt that would have put New Orleans ahead with 2:04 remaining. The Saints also committed four turnovers and 11 penalties to squander Bush's standout effort. He contributed 93 yards from scrimmage and tied an NFL single-game record with two punt return scores.

"Reggie was taking them back to the house time after time," Berrian said. "That's demoralizing. It's hard to come back."

The Vikings come back, however, which could earn Frerotte an extra day off this week. But this much is certain — it won't be coming Sunday against Detroit.