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Week 17 fantasy football

Jen’s Friday Night Insights: Explain It to Me Like I’m Five (Part Two)

by Jen Polvogt

“Jen’s Friday Night Insights” is a monthly column by Jen Polvogt, bridging motherly and fantasy football advice. Jen approaches Week 17 of the fantasy football season with three years of fantasy analysis experience and five of being a mother.


As I wrap up the year, I wanted to look back to see if there was anything I learned this year. Well, whether they were “duh” moments or “ah-ha” moments, I had plenty. So, please enjoy part two of my look back from my 40th year of life!

Part one is found here.

Turning 40 IS Hard

I’ve spent the last 11 months as a 40-year-old. Leading up to turning 40, I spent an entire year listening to everyone in their 40s, 50s, 60s and beyond telling me that their 40s were the best.

How is that possible? Am I doing it wrong?

Turning 40 creates medical hyperactivity, mammograms, cholesterol and heart disease concerns and dermatology appointments. They’re all required when you turn 40. I made all of my appointments at the end of the year because I didn’t want to admit that I was getting older.

Big mistake. Big.

Since my mammogram, I’ve had an additional mammogram, ultrasound and genetic cancer blood tests. Plus, now have to get an MRI booked in the new year.

I had to cancel my dentist appointment because I was sick for almost three weeks. When I rescheduled my dermatology appointment for the third time, they informed me that they no longer accept my insurance.

Enough is enough! After the whole mammogram thing, I threw in the towel for the rest of the year and will tackle some of those things more sporadically. 

My point is that life is difficult no matter what age you are. When you’re five, managing emotions is difficult. At 18, navigating the world on your own is difficult. By the time you get into your 20s, you might feel like you should be further in your career or have a family. Once you get to your 30s, you think you should be an “adult.” It’s all difficult. 

I’m going to continue to take things one thing at a time, keep breathing deeply and continue to take care of my body. And everything will be alright.

Take a Vacation

It seems like every year gets a little more chaotic, a bit busier and filled with more work. I know it may sound obvious, but give yourself time and take a vacation. It’s difficult for my husband, Nate, and I to get away. But we prioritize vacations and time off of work. 

It doesn’t have to cost a million dollars. Staycations are free. Explore your little piece of the world. We took a week-long staycation several years ago and explored Denver. Nate and I lived like tourists, and it only cost us a few dollars. We took all the free tours – the U.S. Denver Mint, Coors Brewery, Red Rocks Park and Amphitheater – all free. Each city has free things to do.

Just make sure you give yourself a much-deserved break and get away.

Open Your House to Guests

It’s common for my sister and her husband to stay with us for Christmas. Every year they fly into Denver from California for a quick three-day trip. What’s less usual is to have anyone else stay at our house – ever.

Week 17 fantasy football

Herms, Nate and I at a Colroado Rockies game in April.

This past year was a little different for us. In April, we had the pleasure of hosting our good friend Charles Herrman, aka Herms. I was so nervous about having him stay with us. Nate and I used to be great party hosts. But then we had a kid, and COVID-19 happened, so we really hadn’t hosted anyone in years.

“Is the house clean enough? What will Herms want to eat and drink? What if Jackson wakes him up too early in the morning?” Those and a thousand other questions ran through my mind the two weeks prior to Herms’ arrival. 

It turns out that we had nothing to worry about! It was so fun to have him stay with us. We toured Denver, Boulder, Colo. and everywhere else. All of our favorite restaurants were visited. We watched the NFL Draft. It was so much fun, and it turned out that there was nothing for me to worry about.

Take Two

Then, in July, my brother and his girlfriend visited from Washington. Since we have the most space in our house, it was natural to have them stay with us for a couple of days.

The week before their arrival, the same questions I had when Herms visited came into my head. I took a deep breath and remembered that none of that stuff matters. What matters is spending time with family and friends and making new memories. I mean, definitely clean the house, but don’t worry whether you have the right beverages stocked.

So, have I learned anything since Week 1 of the NFL? Yes! Below are two lessons I’m taking away from the 2022 season as we head into the Week 17 of the fantasy football season.

Jen’s Friday Night Insights: Week 17 Fantasy Football “Lessons Learned?”

Evan Engram (TE, Jacksonville Jaguars)

Don’t Write-off Players In Bad Situations

What lesson did we learn about Evan Engram? We all probably judged him a bit too early. Everyone was pretty low on him coming into the season after three straight Points Per Reception (PPR) TE2 seasons as a New York Giant.

He blew our socks off, though. In Week 1, he had four receptions for 28 yards. That’s a slow start. Then Week 2, he had seven receptions and 46 yards. Weeks 3 and 4 were a bit disastrous. He was definitely a rollercoaster ride until Week 13 when he exploded. Then in Week 14, he had 11 receptions for 162 yards and one touchdown.

Part of the credit must be given to Trevor Lawrence. He has certainly blossomed this season and has come out of his shell. He’s connecting well with his receivers all of them. Zay Jones has had big games, and Christian Kirk is setting career highs. However, Engram was the biggest surprise, currently positioned as the PPR TE5 overall. If you picked him up, especially later in the season, you’re probably finding yourself heading into Week 17 of the fantasy football season. If not, try to be a little less judgy next season and believe in talented players in bad situations.

Devonta Smith (WR, Philadelphia Eagles)

Two Is Sometimes Better Than One

Sometimes two elite wide receivers can make each other better. Think of the one-two punch JuJu Smith-Schuster and Antonio Brown delivered when they played together in Pittsburgh. They both finished as PPR WR1s together in 2018. That was the last time either put together a WR1 season and were elite fantasy football assets. Brown drew coverage from Smith-Schuster, which freed him up more.

The same could be said about Calvin Ridley and Julio Jones in Atlanta, as they both put up elite numbers in 2019 and 2020 until injuries plagued Jones.

And now we’re seeing DeVonta Smith and A.J. Brown doing the same thing in Philadelphia – both currently sitting as PPR WR1s heading into Week 17 of the fantasy football season. All of those receivers elevated one another because of each other, not despite each other. Don’t get scared off of a team’s WR2 just because they have an alpha playing opposite of them. Use it as an opportunity to take the No. 2 at a discount.

I’m here to join the conversation, drink in hand, and watch the NFL season’s conclusion. Cheers! If you choose to make any of my drink recipes, I’d love to see them. Please take a picture and tag me!


Monthly Drink Recipe: 

Sidecar

• 4 oz bourbon
• 2 oz Triple Sec
• 1 oz lemon juice
• lemon wedge for garnish

• Combine
bourbon, Triple Sec and lemon juice in a martini shaker with ice
• Pour into a chilled martini glasses
• Garnish with a lemon wedge, and enjoy!

Thanks for reading, and follow me on Twitter for more motherly and fantasy sports advice @JenPolvogt.

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