I had a fun time watching games and highlights this past weekend. I was particularly impressed with Derrick Henry, who has a realistic shot at a 2,000 yard season, and Aaron Rodgers, who leads the league in touchdown passes and might get his team the NFC's bye.

Those guys were not only dismantling their opponents on Sunday, but they were dismantling my fantasy team, which would have clinched a playoff spot with a win. And I truly enjoyed watching their success.

Am I such a fan of the NFL that I don't mind my fantasy team getting trampled? Am I a happy-go-lucky chap who has fun playing our game without any concern for the outcome? Have I mastered the art of stoicism?

Absolutely not. The truth is, I had no idea I was facing either of them. I did what I do every week: Watch the games without a clue as to my opponent's lineup.

Years, ago, I learned a harsh truth about myself. As much as I enjoy fantasy football, it actually reduced my enjoyment of watching the actual games. If an opponent's player was in the televised game, I'd keep my eyes on that player. After every completion, I'd look for the number on the jersey before anything else. If it was their kicker, I'd hope they'd stay out of range, or score a touchdown so it would only cost me an extra point.

I'd spend very little time just enjoying the game. I didn't appreciate a good play, or a heroic comeback, or anything else. I just focused on how the results affected my fantasy team. I actually enjoyed games where neither of us had a player more than one where we had several. My attention was on my game; not the one on the screen.

Is everyone like that? Maybe to a degree, but I suspect many folks can focus on the actual, real-world contest and not let fantasy ruin their afternoon. But when I realized I wasn't having as much fun on Sundays, I did something about it. I simply didn't check my opponent's lineup until after the games were played.

It sounds like a silly adjustment, but it changed everything. I could watch a fantastic run or catch in blissful ignorance. I could root for my team, a player I like or just one of those highlight plays we see every week. I enjoyed the games, and then I saw how my team did.

It turns out I'm frequently watching my opponent have a stellar performance, or a disastrous day, or a tension-filled drive that determines our fate that week. I just don't know it at the time. So yes, I'm missing out on the thrill of knowing their kicker's miss won me a game in dramatic fashion. But I'm also gaining several hours of football enjoyment that I had lost over the years. And the times when I don't stick to that philosophy are the times I don't enjoy my Sunday as much, even if I win.

And yes, I always know how my players are doing, but that doesn't affect the games for me. I could score 130 points and lose, or I could score 70 points and win. Without knowing how my opponent did, my players' performances don't mean as much. So I can still root for them with the knowledge that it won't tell me how I fared that week. And again, I'm back to just enjoying the games.

I'm mentioning this for a reason, of course. The next two weeks are the most important of the season. If you're still in the hunt, it can be both an exciting time and a stressful time. If you find the latter is dominating your game-watching, try not even looking at your opponent's lineup. Wait until the games are over to check the results. That way you can enjoy a full day of football and still (hopefully) advance in the playoffs as well. And if it doesn't go your way, at least it didn't ruin your Sunday.

Besides, once the lineups are set, you can't influence them. So it doesn't hurt your team to check the lineups later. You're spending your week figuring out the best guys to start on your fantasy team, and reserving your Sunday for enjoying the game it's based on. It works for me, so if you're not enjoying the games as much, maybe it will work for you as well. Good luck this week.

Can you enjoy a great play even if it hurts your fantasy team? Does fantasy affect how you watch a game when many players are involved? Do you like knowing who you're facing every week? Share your thoughts below.