Surprise, surprise. Brett Favre is reportedly thinking about coming out of retirement to join the Minnesota Vikings. Please stop me if you’ve heard this before.

Is Brett Favre considering putting on a Minnesota Vikings' helmet? (Image: Newscom)

Even though Favre’s retirement game is getting slightly annoying, if he joins the Vikings and starts for the team at quarterback, he will definitely have a 2009 fantasy football impact.

Even though Favre is 39 years old and far past his prime, he showed glimpses of great play last year with the New York Jets. Compared to the quarterbacks that are currently in Minnesota (Tarvaris Jackson and Sage Rosenfels), Favre would be an upgrade.

Last year with the Jets, Favre finished the season with 3,472 yards and 22 touchdowns to go with 22 interceptions. However, if you look closer at the numbers, Favre played much better near the beginning of the season. His play suffered down the stretch run, partly due to an arm injury.

Besides, the Vikings were the team Favre originally wanted to go to after leaving Green Bay. He’d have to be re-energized and focused on making the Packers regret their decision.

As far fantasy football value, Favre on the Vikings would make a solid backup quarterback option with a relatively high ceiling. Additionally, if Favre joins Minnesota, the stocks for all the receiving options will immediately rise.

One of the hottest trade rumors in the NFL has Rage Rosenfels, the backup quarterback for the Houston Texans, being traded to the Minnesota Vikings for a fourth round pick. In Houston, Rosenfels is currently behind Matt Schaub on the depth charts.

If Minnesota successful trades for the quarterback, he becomes a candidate to become the teams starter at QB. Currently, the Vikings have Tarvaris Jackson and Gus Frerotte at the position. Although Jackson has shown some promise, he’s still extremely raw. Frerotte, on the other hand, has seen his best days.

Even if Rosenfels wins the starting job, he likely won’t be on the fantasy radar. Minnesota runs the ball a ton and their receiving corps is lacking talent. At best, Rosenfels would be a late round sleeper in 2009 fantasy football drafts.

While in Houston, Rosenfels has looked elite at times. At other times, he’s bumbled away very winnable games. He still has the potential to be a decent quarterback but he has a lot of work to do to master the position.

If you are going to be playing playoff fantasy football, you obviously should be well aware of the NFL playoff picture. Here’s the NFL playoff schedule for the first week of the playoffs so you can start to figure out which fantasy players you want to get on your team in playoff fantasy football.

Saturday, January 3rd - 4:30 PM Eastern
Atlanta Falcons at the Arizona Cardinals

Saturday, January 3rd - 8:00 PM Eastern
Indianapolis Colts at San Diego Chargers

Sunday, January 4th - 1:00 PM Eastern
Baltimore Ravens at Miami Dolphins

Sunday, January 4th - 4:30 PM Eastern
Philadelphia Eagles at Minnesota Vikings

Bye Week: Tennessee Titans, Pittsburgh Steelers, New York Giants, Carolina Panthers

Photo credit: Newscom

D Pittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers are the best defensive team in the NFL and their defensive ways have translated well over to fantasy football. The Steelers have been extremely effective in the last few weeks and are a safe start every game.

D Indianapolis Colts
With the playoffs quickly approaching, the Indianapolis Colts are playing very good defense. Their only sub par defensive game came against the Detroit Lions — surprisingly enough. Overall, the Colts are showing Super Bowl level defense.

D Minnesota Vikings
Even though the Vikings aren’t healthy and also have to worry about some suspensions on the defensive side of the ball, they are still producing very well in fantasy football. While they haven’t quite lived up to their preseason hype, they are still a top tier fantasy defense.

D Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Using a good blend of veterans and youth, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have one of the best defensive units in the NFL. They’ve been a bit erratic in terms of fantasy football production, but when they are playing well they are one of the best defenses to own.

RB Brandon Jacobs, New York Giants
Already ruled out for Week 15 of the fantasy football season, be sure to take Brandon Jacobs out of your fantasy starting lineup. Expect Derrick Ward to get the start, although Ahman Bradshaw will likely also get a number of carries.

RB Marion Barber III, Dallas Cowboys
Marion Barber III took some criticism last week for not playing. Considering that fact, there’s a good chance he’ll do his all to play in Week 15. The backup running back option for the Cowboys is currently Tashard Choice.

QB Gus Frerotte, Minnesota Vikings
Listed as doubtful, it doesn’t appear as if Gus Frerotte is going to be able to play in Week 15 for the Vikings. In his place, expect Tarvaris Jackson to get the start at quarterback. Given Jackson’s shaky history, look elsewhere for a fantasy football starter.

QB Jeff Garcia, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Although Jeff Garcia is listed as questionable, it sounds like he’ll be able to play in Week 15. If he doesn’t play, Brian Griese would likely start. However, there’s a possibility that Luke McCown would get the nod.

Photo credit: Newscom

QB Kurt Warner, Arizona Cardinals
This is a dream matchup for fantasy football Kurt Warner owners. At home going against his former team, Warner should be able to destroy the St. Louis Rams. He played well against the Rams earlier in the season and that was on the road. This team, he should be able to go for at least 320 yards and two touchdowns.

RB Adrian Peterson, Minnesota Vikings
Going up against the Detroit Lions, Adrian Peterson should be running early and often. The Lions are putrid defensively and the Vikings should easily be able to move the ball. The only thing that could stop Peterson in Week 14 is if it’s a blowout early and the the Vikings let him rest.

WR Randy Moss, New England Patriots
Last week, Randy Moss was relatively quiet. However, that wasn’t two surprising considering the Patriots were playing the Pittsburgh Steelers. In Week 14, the Patriots have a much easier matchup — the Seattle Seahawks. Expect Moss to be a big part of the game plan to run over the Seahawks.

TE Tony Gonzalez, Kansas City Chiefs
Tony Gonzalez is not only the best tight end at the moment in fantasy football, he’s going up against the weak defense of the Denver Broncos. He should be able to have a very good game. The Broncos aren’t a good pass defending team and Gonzalez is easily the number one option on the Chiefs on the offensive side of the ball.

QB Gus Frerotte, Minnesota Vikings
In Week 14 of the 2008 fantasy football season, Gus Frerotte is going up against the Detroit Lions. That alone is enough to make him a sleeper. However, Frerotte is actually playing better than most realize. Last week he had two touchdowns and in the last six weeks, he has a total of ten touchdowns. Start him in Week 14 with confidence.

RB Pierre Thomas, New Orleans Saints
With Deuce McAllister suspended and Reggie Bush still slowed by injury, Pierre Thomas is a very important member of the Saints backfield right now. He’s the goal line back and should see around 15 touches in Week 14. If you need to pick up an emergency starter at running back, check to see if Thomas is available in your fantasy league.

WR Mark Bradley, Kansas City Chiefs
If Mark Bradley plays this week, consider him a definite sleeper for Week 14. Although he’s banged up and might miss the game against the Denver Broncos, he’ll be a weapon if he actually plays. The Chiefs have been able to move the ball and the Broncos have not been able to stop the ball. That’d be a good combination for Bradley.

TE Todd Heap, Baltimore Ravens
Todd Heap had a horribly slow start to the 2008 fantasy football season but as of late he’s really started to pick it up. He has three touchdowns in his four games and while the Washington Redskins are a tough matchup, the Ravens will likely have to throw the ball more and that is good news for Heap.

QB Tony Romo, Dallas Cowboys
Tony Romo has a good matchup against the Seattle Seahawks on Thanksgiving and should be able to put up a very productive fantasy football line. He’s as healthy as he’s been since returning from his broken pinkie and his wide receivers are playing well. At least 250 yards and two touchdowns is what you should expect.

RB Adrian Peterson, Minnesota Vikings
In four out of his last five games, Adrian Peterson has at least one touchdown. That bodes well for his Week 13 game against the Chicago Bears. While the Bears have a solid defense, it isn’t as good as it has been in years past. Peterson will be able to run for at least 80 yards and a touchdown.

WR Anquan Boldin, Arizona Cardinals
There isn’t a hotter fantasy football wide receiver than Anquan Boldin. He’s been a monster when healthy this season. Although he missed a few games due to facial fractures, he hasn’t lost a beat since coming back. Expect at least eight catches, for 95 yards and a touchdown this week against the Philadelphia Eagles.

TE Antonio Gates, San Diego Chargers
With a very nice matchup this weekend against the Atlanta Falcons, Antonio Gates is a must start. Gates should get a touchdown this week as the young Falcons aren’t quite equipped to shut down this pass catching tight end. In fantasy football, there isn’t a better tight end start in Week 13 than Gates.

QB Gus Frerotte, Minnesota Vikings
Although not considered a top fantasy football quarterback in 2008 by any means, Gus Frerotte has certainly exceeded expectations. He has thrown for at least one touchdown pass in each of his starts except for one game. In his last three games, he has six touchdown passes. Going up against an overrated Jacksonville Jaguars defense, Frerotte should continue to produce.

RB Fred Jackson, Buffalo Bills
Fred Jackson has emerged as one of the better backup running backs in the NFL in 2008. In Week 12, Jackson and the Bills take on the Kansas City Chiefs. The Chiefs have played decently lately but they remain a horrid defensive team against the run. Look for Jackson to get plenty of touches and produce like a starter in Week 12.

WR Devin Hester, Chicago Bears
The St. Louis Rams have been horrible recently, especially when it comes to making tackles. With Devin Hester coming to town, that’s a bad combination. While Hester hasn’t had the amazing year many expected, he’s still a threat to break a long one — whether in the passing game or the return game. Week 12 may be his breakout game owners have been waiting for.

TE Kevin Boss, New York Giants
Last week, Kevin Boss was held without a catch. But that was against the Baltimore Ravens, one of the best defensive teams in the NFL. In the previous three weeks, Boss caught a touchdown pass in each. In Week 12, the Giants go up against the Arizona Cardinals and Boss should be able to get back into the swing of things.

QB Sage Rosenfels, Houston Texans
With Matt Schaub out with a torn knee ligament, Sage Rosenfels will take over the reins for the Houston Texans at quarterback. If he’s on your fantasy football league’s waiver wire, pick him up because he’s definitely a fantasy sleeper from here on out. You can expect him to put up at least 200 yards and a touchdown each week.

RB Ryan Torain, Denver Broncos
Heading into Week 10, Ryan Torain may literally be the Denver Broncos only healthy running back. Michael Pittman and Andre Hall are out for the year and Selvin Young is still banged up. That leaves this rookie to carry the load for the Broncos. Expect him to have a good amount of success.

WR Mark Bradley, Kansas City Chiefs
Tyler Thigpen is quickly becoming a decent quarterback for the Kansas City Chiefs. For that reason, his wide receivers are now more valuable. Mark Bradley may be his second receiver but he’s also the safety valve who will get a lot of looks going forward. He even mixed in a passing touchdown this week.

TE Vishante Shiancoe, Minnesota Vikings
Once again, Vishante Shiancoe is on the waiver wire list. He just keeps producing and producing at the tight end position. He remains a sleeper tight end because he’s not respected among most fantasy football owners, for a whatever reasons. But if he keeps producing, you might as well roster him.