A week or so ago, my wife bought me a box of Breathe Right nasal strips, which are supposed to keep you from snoring. She must think they look cool, because I certainly don't snore. At least I've never heard myself.

Last night, she slept like a log; but no thanks to the nose strip. Rather, it was because I was wide awake in a pool of sweat. How could I sleep, after losing a titanic battle with the second-place team in my top "money" league? With Tony Romo and Joseph Addai on my bench!

Oh, the humanity!

The loss dropped me into a tie for the division lead, but behind my rival based on a tie-breaker. Worse yet, the wasted bench points likely cost me a chance at highest overall points for the season. My kids would be sleepless, too, if they only knew how such disasters affect Santa's generosity.

According to one of the leading fantasy sites, I wasn't the only chump who benched this week's brightest stars. More than 25 percent of Romo's owners sat him. A similar number rested Addai.

In my case, I can't beat myself up too much for starting Carson Palmer over Romo. After all, Palmer has been his own hot streak, and still posted great stats. I played Romo in another league, in favor of Matt Hasselbeck, so his coming-out party on Thanksgiving was still cause for personal celebration.

But why, oh why, did I bench Addai? For one, Larry Johnson is Super-glued to my starting lineup. He's not going anywhere. So the choice came down to Ahman Green or the Colts' backup running back.

Of course, the "backup" label is an oxymoron. Though Dominic Rhodes has started every game this season, Addai has outperformed him in all but three. There has been no debate over which Indy rusher makes the better start since the team's Week 6 bye.

Prior to Sunday's career outing, Addai's stats were virtually identical to Green's. Both had three rushing and one receiving touchdown to their credit, and Green had amassed two more total yards than Addai (817 vs. 815). But the Packer back accumulated his stats in two fewer games. Both had favorable matchups this weekend.

Finally, Green would not play until Monday night, and I always enjoy having someone active in that game. That is, I used to.

So I started Marvin Harrison (1 reception, 8 yards) as usual, and waited for Peyton Manning to knock off the funny business with the running game. And waited. And waited???

I realize Green has yet to take the field, but unless he pulls an Addai tonight, I'm out of luck. You see, my opponent's decisions aren't as difficult, and his starters (especially Steven Jackson, Larry Fitzgerald, Ben Watson and Baltimore's defense) put up big numbers. Two scores and 100 yards rushing just won't do.

The moral of this hard-luck story: Joseph Addai is my RB2 for the duration. No questions asked. As for the Romo vs. Palmer quandary, given their respective schedules, I don't see how I can play the Cincinnati gunslinger again this season.

Maybe by then I'll be able to get some sleep ...

FREE AGENT PICKS AND PANS

To win a fantasy championship, you need to start with a good draft. But filling in your roster throughout the season with the right free agents is equally important. Here's a look at a few players worth grabbing, and others who would look better in someone else's lineup.

Catch 'em While You Can

Jason Campbell, QB, Redskins: In two starts, the unflappable QB has thrown four touchdowns and just one interception. He has yet to top 200 yards passing in a game, but his next two opponents are Atlanta and Philly -- teams will big problems of their own.

Sammy Morris, RB, Dolphins: With Ronnie Brown unlikely to return from his broken hand for at least one week, Morris takes over the running duties in Miami. He is more than capable of replacing Brown's modest stats, and enters the backfield with his team on a hot streak.

Chris Henry, WR, Bengals: Still available in many leagues, he is arguably the NFL's best No. 3 receiver. With a string of tough games ahead, Henry should continue to get plenty of red-zone targets, as secondaries focus on containing his prolific teammates.

Vikings defense: Looking for a late-season flier? Minnesota not only sports the stingiest run defense, but has a league-high four TDs to its credit. Though its secondary is porous, favorable matchups loom in the weeks ahead.

Don't be Fooled

Jay Cutler, QB, Broncos: No one can say with certainty how he will perform in his first start. But we do know that the odds are stacked against him, as with all rookie passers, and the vaunted Denver running game is sputtering at the worst possible time.

Doug Gabriel, WR, Patriots: Talk about dropping off the fantasy radar. Since fumbling after a catch in Week 10, Gabriel has not been the target of a single Tom Brady pass. He no longer merits a roster spot on any fantasy squad.

Nate Kaeding, K, Chargers: He is still owned and starting in most leagues, but you have to wonder why. He has not attempted, much less made, a field goal since Week 9, because all his offense does is score touchdowns. Extra points take too long to add up.

Bad Breaks

Tom Brady, QB, Patriots -- Laurence Maroney took his 12-yard pass to the 1, then ran it in on the next play.

Tiki Barber, RB, Giants -- Three straight carries moved the ball from the 18 to the 1, but he did not score.

Maurice Jones-Drew, RB, Jaguars -- Took a reverse 17 yards to the Bills 1, then was stuffed on his goal-line carry.

Correll Buckhalter, RB, Eagles -- Two runs covering 18 yards set up LJ Smith's 1-yard TD.

Rod Smith, WR, Broncos -- Took a short pass to within a whisker of the end zone.

49ers defense -- A 50-yard fumble return for a score was reversed on a replay challenge.

Browns special teams -- Josh Cribbs' 101-yard TD return on the opening kickoff was negated by a holding penalty.