Edgerrin James lost his edge. With backup Tim Hightower’s emergence on Sunday, insurance once again cashed in for fantasy football’s most famous strategy. The foresight to handcuff your top players with their backups can make or break a season.

Hopefully, you didn’t lose your edge.

With league playoffs starting in weeks, why not have a plan?

Tonight is the perfect example: Brady Quinn gets his first start as Browns quarterback. If you anticipated the move, you had him sitting on your bench and will plug him in against one of the league’s worst defenses in the Broncos.

Otherwise, he may be playing against your team. If he reignites Cleveland’s once top-flight offense, the results will show up like a Reggie Langhorne appearance at a Browns Backer gathering. If not, he was an insurance policy for a reason.

Some others players to consider down the stretch: Chester Taylor (for Adrian Peterson), Jerious Norwood (for Michael Turner), Ken Darby or Antonio Pittman (for Steven Jackson), Dominic Rhodes (for Joseph Addai), Darren Sproles (for LaDainian Tomlinson) and the new favorite Fred Jackson (for Marshawn Lynch). See more below.

Another thing to consider: Carry two kickers on your roster in the playoffs. If your league bans pickups in the postseason, you don’t want to be blind sided at an overlooked position.

Romo back?

If everything goes to plan, Tony Romo is expected back after this week’s bye. Week 11 was the initial target date and it remains the same after flirtations with bringing the broken-pinkied quarterback back were nothing but rumors.

How much longer can Brad Johnson and Brooks Bollinger keep Terrell Owens’ stats down? Nevermore?

With Romo probably back, the Roy Williams era can unofficially begin again and the Cowboys can remain relevant.

Catch them if you can ...

Ryan Torain, Broncos running back: The rookie looked awesome against the Browns on Thursday night, but is now out for the season with a torn ACL. If you're feeling lucky, relative unknown running back Ken Darby will make his first start for the Rams in place of Steven Jackson. Darby, though, is going against a stout Jets defensive line.

Ray Rice, Ravens running back: If you made it through the pain of the Browns game on Sunday, you already know. The rookie shredded Cleveland’s defense for 154 yards. With a matchup at Houston, he proved he can carry the workload with a career-high 21 carries but will Willis McGahee play and take them away?

The fallen ...

The Bears offense: For one week, Matt Forte and the injured Kyle Orton should be riding the pine against the unbeaten Tennessee Titans and their brick wall for a front seven. Forte, a definite No. 1 back, should only sit though if a Maurice Jones-Drew (against the Lions) or Tim Hightower (against the 49ers) matchup sits on your roster.

Aaron Rodgers, Packers quarterback: He makes his first start in the Metrodome against the Vikings. Brett Favre never performed particularly well there. So by default, Rodgers must prove it with a stellar game on the road against the division foe.

Four and out

1. The Bengals, Cowboys, Buccaneers and Redskins have byes. 2. The byes are over after this week. 3. The Colts travel to Pittsburgh and benching Joseph Addai doesn’t seem like a bad idea. 4. San Diego plays the Chiefs. Consider all Chargers options.

For any fantasy football-related information or questions e-mail Francis Bova at fbova@MorningJournal.com.