The playoffs have started in a lot of fantasy leagues, and as such the stakes are far too important for you to listen to me, or to anybody else … except science itself!

This week, I will merely tell you where all relevant Vikings rank, overall and within their position (according to my own fantasy league, which features relatively standard scoring).

Be advised that the Bengals, whom the Vikings play this week, have the NFL's fourth-ranked defense overall, and are ranked No. 1 against the run and No. 13 against the pass.  They also score, on average, just over 21 points a game, although their average in the five games since their Week 8 bye has been just over 18.  I'd strongly advise you to take all of that into account.

These rankings take into account only fantasy points, not any other statistics.

QB Brett Favre:  5th among quarterbacks, 5th overall.
I assume we all figured that Favre would eventually have a game like he did last Sunday night against the Cardinals (with two killer interceptions), but even in that game his fantasy output wasn't terrible.

RB Adrian Peterson:  3rd among running backs, 20th overall.
It could be a tough week for Peterson -- who hasn't quite looked himself lately -- against the tough Bengals rush defense. Unfortunately, it's not like you can sit AP in the playoffs if he's on your team; the best thing to do is just hope that he'll explode in the manner of which we all know he's capable.

WR Sidney Rice:  8th among wide receivers, 46th overall.
Even as the Vikings struggled against the Cardinals, Rice put up decent fantasy numbers (seven catches for 72 yards).  He's the Vikings' No. 1 guy at this point, and it's unlikely he'd be shut down by the Bengals or anyone else.  Go into battle with him at wide receiver during this weekend's fantasy playoffs and feel good about it (says science.  Not me.  Because that's who we're listening to this week, remember?).

WR/KR Percy Harvin:  16th among wide receivers, 60th overall.
Depending on how heavily your league rewards kickoff return yardage, he could be ranked a little higher. Check your league's scoring system if you've got any doubt this week; it's the playoffs!  We can't take any chances!

TE Visanthe Shiancoe:  7th among tight ends, 96th overall.
Doesn't tend to get a lot of yards, so the weeks in which he doesn't score a touchdown can be rough on his fantasy owners.  Luckily, he's scored a touchdown in eight of twelve games this season, including seven of the last nine.

WR Bernard Berrian:  53rd among wide receivers, 141st overall.
It's the playoffs; science thinks that there are probably better options than Bernard Berrian out there this week.  Although if you're desperate you could cross your fingers and hope or a Bernard Berrian fantasy playoffs miracle.

RB Chester Taylor: 43rd among running backs, 149th overall.
If your fantasy playoff destiny hinges on Chester Taylor against the NFL's top-ranked run defnese, then science doesn't feel particularly good about your chances.

K Ryan Longwell:  4th among kickers.
The fantasy football site I'm looking at won't rank kickers or defense in with everybody else, no matter how hard I try to make them do it. So you'll have to settle for knowing that Longwell, if he's your kicker, is as solid a play this week as he's ever been.

Vikings Defense:  4th among defenses.
Probably not a bad time to go with the Vikings D, even if the Bengals don't tend to give up a ton of sacks.  The way the Vikings rushed the passer last week -- or didn't rush the passer last week -- they will hopefully be more motivated that ever against Cincinnati.

And I think that's everybody.  Good luck this week in the playoffs; may science be with you.

-- JOE MULDER