Visanthe Shiancoe got a quizzical look on his face Monday when asked about the chorus of "MVP" chants from the Metrodome crowd that were directed at Brett Favre as the quarterback sat on the bench during the fourth quarter of the Vikings' 35-9 victory Sunday.

"Oh no, that was me," Shiancoe said, trying to take credit for the chant.

The tight end was kidding, we think.

Favre's teammates might have joined in, considering what his presence (and right arm) mean to the 9-1 Vikings. At 40, Favre hasn't just performed better than anyone could have expected, he has performed better than ever before in some aspects of his game.

On the same day Twins catcher and hometown hero Joe Mauer was named the American League's Most Valuable Player, there was legitimate talk of a former Packer and longtime-hated rival turned good guy in these parts being the NFL's MVP.

"His stats and his play pretty much speak for itself," Shiancoe said. "I don't want to get too ahead of myself, but he definitely should be in that pool, 100 percent in that pool."

Safe to say Favre is in the deep end of the pool in very exclusive company. His stiffest competition for the award comes from two other quarterbacks, Indianapolis' Peyton Manning and New Orleans' Drew Brees. Favre is no stranger to being MVP -- like Manning he has captured the honor three times -- but the last one came in 1997 when he shared it with Lions running back Barry Sanders.

Favre's total number of MVPs (the official award comes from The Associated Press) give him one more than the Vikings have had in their history -- defensive tackle Alan Page (1971) and quarterback Fran Tarkenton (1975).

Twelve years ago, when Favre last was named the league's best player, Vikings Pro Bowl running back Adrian Peterson was 12. Two of Favre's favorite receiving targets this season, Sidney Rice and Percy Harvin, were in grade school.

Yet, Favre is on track to better several of the numbers he posted during a run of three consecutive MVP seasons that began in 1995. If he continues on his current pace Favre would have more completions, fewer interceptions and a better completion percentage and passer rating than he did in any of the years he was recognized by voters.

Favre's passer rating (112.1) and completion percentage (.697) are atop the league and his interception percentage (1.0) also is the best in the NFL. He strengthened his MVP case on Sunday by completing a personal and franchise best 88 percent of his passes and throwing four touchdowns.

Vikings coach Brad Childress is a former quarterbacks coach and worked during his time in Philadelphia with Donovan McNabb. Asked if he had seen a quarterback perform at this high of level for such an extended period, Childress said: "I don't think we've ever had any 80 percent throwers. [Favre's] doing a great job of protecting the football, but still throwing the ball up the field. It's not like it's a dink-and-dunk operation. He is playing at a high level now. ... When you have success, you have more success. You believe you can."

Favre's teammates, and Childress, have come to realize that part of the reason Favre has such a great belief in himself is because of his constant preparation. Shiancoe has been leaving Winter Park at times when Favre is coming back to watch film, and has heard stories of the quarterback being at the facility at 9 or 10 o'clock at night.

On Saturday night, Vikings athletic trainer Eric Sugarman saw Favre in the film room at 5:30 p.m. That is a rarity because players usually embrace what little free time they have on Saturdays at home before having to report to the team hotel.

"He has very good physical tools with the length of time that he has played, he has great mental tools, but he enhances what he has by spending time at his trade and looking at a lot of tape," Childress said. "Like [Favre] said, he used to look at a lot of tape before, but he didn't know what the hell he was looking at. But now he does, so it helps."

At this rate, it might play a role in helping Favre become the state's second MVP for 2009.