The fantasy playoffs often offer up reminders of how much of a game of inches this is. Starting Carson Palmer, as I was in two playoff leagues? It was tough to see John Brown drop a pair of touchdowns and Michael Floyd catch a bomb at the one-foot line, costing Palmer 2-3 additional scores. Facing Palmer or starting David Johnson? You probably made out well.

That kind of stuff you have no control over. You hope you made the right lineup choices, and try not to feel bad if luck went against you. Maybe you won anyway, or maybe it went your way last year. Or will next year.

Kansas City at Ravens: Pretty good game for most of the correct players in this one. Charcandrick West had a breakaway touchdown run early, and Jeremy Maclin caught a touchdown. Nice when favorable predictions pan out. On the other hand, Javorius Allen lost a fumble early, it was returned for a touchdown, and Allen was benched. Seemed OK as a feature back for a team with limited offensive weaponry, but a miscue changed all that. That touchdown, by the way, was one of a pair by the Kansas City Defense. Kamar Aiken had a big game, helped along by a Hail Mary before the half defended as poorly as the Green Bay one two weeks back. Maybe teams should work more on those.

Texans at Colts: Thought Houston would do a little more on offense here. Wrong. Didn't know T.J. Yates would get hurt, but Brandon Weeden was similar. And Yates done for the year and Hoyer (concussion) uncertain, so Weeden -- who began the year as a backup in Dallas -- might be starting for a Division Champion Texans team. ... Alfred Blue over 100 yards, but he's a pretty unremarkable back. Lost an early fumble. Had a long run that some backs score on. He's a guy. Donte Moncrief caught a touchdown in this game, a guy you couldn't really use with him iffy with an injury prior to the game. Near TD for Coby Fleener, couldn't hang on. Jaelen Strong caught game-winning TD; all his 3 scores this year against Colts. Andrew Luck may need to play next week if he wants to play in a meaningful game again this year.

Falcons at Jaguars: Hope you're in a PPR league if you started Denard Robinson. There, he was fine; not so much in standard. Frustrating too, because right before the half Bortles had him wide open in the center of the end zone for an easy little touchdown. Instead he threw a pass toward the side of the end zone, it was picked off and nearly brought back for a half-ending touchdown. (Bortles, to his credit, made the game-saving tackle.) Week after week Bortles makes these throws he just shouldn't. He has been a great fantasy quarterback this year, but if he wants to keep it up he needs to eliminate the bone-headed mistakes. ... Devonta Freeman caught a pass near the goal line early on, then had a nice touchdown run. That was essentially the bulk of his production, but he didn't hurt you. Nice game for Julio Jones, too. Decent numbers for Julius Thomas, although he had his hand on a touchdown that he couldn't bring in. Oh, and then Bortles missed an open Allen Hurns in the final minute for (probably) a game-winning touchdown. Difference between winning and losing.

Bears at Vikings: An unusual game, but the result was expected. Just rather than Adrian Peterson having a big game, Teddy Bridgewater and Stefon Diggs did. Couple of perfect throws by Bridgewater, a nice tackle-breaking run by Diggs on on one score. Peterson also got hurt, during the game, limping off and taking most teams fantasy hopes with him. He returned, but might have been hurt. Sounds like he'll play next week. Jerick McKinnon had a tackle-breaking TD reception after Peterson left. Alshon Jeffery and Matt Forte caught TDs. Some nice throws by Jay Cutler in defeat, but Minnesota got a lot of pressure on him. Jeffery injured a hamstring, so expect another week of questionable status and "he has a chance to play."

Titans at Patriots: Delanie Walker scored 2 TDs in this game, one a ridiculous long tackle-breaking one that should have been just a short reception. He was the only Titan you should have been starting. That said, Dorial Green-Beckham had some very nice garbage-time stats, so you made out OK if you dared to use him. Rob Gronkowski caught his touchdown early. James White caught one, screen pass. Brandon Bolden showed the risk in starting a committee back, since New England gave more carries to recently promoted practice squad fullback Joey Iosefa. Quick reaction, leave him on the waiver wire. Danny Amendola hurt early. Knee. We'll see. Decent game for Brandon LaFell, though he didn't score. Patriots D touchdown, so they worked out. Marcus Mariota hurt, offense didn't lose anything this injury go-around with Zach Mettenberger.

Panthers at Giants: So, great game. I remember when the score was 35-7, looking at the TV and saying, well, that's that, and then, huh, there's a lot of time left in this game. Giants came all the way back with touchdowns by Tye, Vereen, Jennings and finally Odell Beckham Jr., who had previously had a horrific day which began by dropping a 52-yard touchdown and further devolved into several meltdown cheapshots exchanged back and forth with Josh Norman. (The worst by Beckham, you've no doubt seen the lowlights.) There were a couple of turnovers and a blocked Carolina field goal in there. But Cam Newton marched Carolina right down the field with arm and legs for a game- and MVP-winning score. Another big, 2-TD game for Ted Ginn Jr. (who also dropped another touchdown). Running back committee did nothing of consequence. Greg Olsen scored and had a huge catch on the game-winning drive. Giants are going to be a good team that misses the playoffs, it appears, having blown too many games along the way. Well, their defense is terrible.

Bills at Washington: Big games by a lot of big players. Early TD for Jordan Reed, just a jump ball where he easily beat the defender. Later in the half, he scores again, largely uncovered. Remember loving him when he came out but kind of gave up on him with all the injuries. So, good for him. Also Kirk Cousins, who I really didn't believe in. Washington might well win the NFC East, and Cousins is the guy making it happen. Impressive. ... Big game also for Sammy Watkins, a disappointment earlier in the season but huge right now. On the other hand, LeSean McCoy disappointed and left with an injury, as happens a lot. Stuffed at the goalline on back to back plays before leaving with an injury, touchdown there would have helped Buffalo's cause. Both Karlos Williams and Mike Gillislee looking good in relief, too.

Packers at Raiders: Raiders have made some steps this year, but evidently aren't quite ready to win this game. Early Pick Six by Derek Carr stuck them in a 14-0 hole they briefly dug their way out of, but not for long. Green Bay moved the ball up and down the field; but for some penalties and turnovers and settling for field goals, it wouldn't have been quite as close. Among the penalties, offensive interference calls on James Jones, one negating a touchdown. ... Nice game for Amari Cooper, decent ones for Crabtree and Carr. Raiders host Chargers next week and should put up good numbers (San Diego spent the rest of its effort this season in final home game, methinks).

Browns at Seahawks: Cleveland was more competitive than I expected, for a while. But then Seattle got interested in the game, Russell Wilson threw another pair of touchdowns to Doug Baldwin, and even Jermaine Kearse had a big game. Fantasy-wise, the bigger story is that Christine Michael took hold of the Seattle backfield. Michael was released from the Washington practice squad last week, and you have to wonder whether he couldn't have helped Washington or Dallas at some point this season; instead he's there to probably lead the Seattle backfield the rest of the way. Neither he nor Bryce Brown scored, but Michael looks like the guy.

Broncos at Steelers: Great first half for the Broncos, great second half for the Steelers. There is just no stopping that Steelers offense right now; it only seems to happen if their defense scores (like last week) or just keeps the other team in check. Although Brock Osweiler struggled in the second half, I came away pretty impressed with him. For one thing, he was again victimized by terrible drops of perfect throws that would have picked up first downs late, one awful one by Vernon Davis (again) and one by Demaryius Thomas (again). Meanwhile Emmanuel Sanders had about the game of his life against his former team, making great catches all over the place. Denver loses, my son is bummed, but I think they'll beat Cincinnati in Denver next week and get the edge for that other first-round bye.

Dolphins at Chargers: Four TDs for Danny Woodhead (3 receiving), who probably no one started since he hasn't done anything for half a season. But we were higher on Philip Rivers than even I expected and it proved to be a great call by Ian. Started him over Matt Ryan and Jay Cutler, worked out well. Melvin Gordon left early with a knee injury and it's saying something that Donald Brown finished with better numbers than Gordon would no doubt have delivered. Brown might start here next week if the Gordon injury serious, which would just be the perfect capper to his disappointing season. Dolphins can't wait for season to end and another housecleaning to begin.

Bengals at 49ers: Worklmanlike win on the ground for the Bengals, with A.J. Green leaving early with a back injury. Touchdown for Tyler Kroft on a nice little play, something to keep in mind if Tyler Eifert can't return next week. All of San Francisco's offense was in garbage-time, and Shaun Draughn left with an injury.

Cardinals at Eagles: As noted, Palmer and the Cardinals passing game could have had a much bigger game. John Brown dropped perfectly thrown balls on Arizona's first two drives that would have gone for short and long touchdowns. Michael Floyd just missed one. And then there's Larry Fitzgerald, who after his early-season flurry of scoring now seems to be the clear No. 3 wideout in this passing game. ... Some nice garbage-time production from the Eagles, who host Washington next Saturday. I think the way they've used or misused their running backs will be one of the key storylines if and when they miss the playoffs.

Monday, Monday: I and many others in playoff games will be glued to this one tonight. Starting Tim Hightower and Golden Tate! Facing Drew Brees! Starting Calvin Johnson, with Lance Moore at the ready just in case Johnson is inactive or limping obviously in pregame warmups. Hopefully Johnson on one leg is good enough to light up this defense. Am expecting lots of yards and points and probably a 28-24 Saints win, or something similar. Good luck to all.