Transcript of Week 13 Picks with Cynthia Frelund

Welcome to NFL Daily, where football finally is family. I'm Greg Rosenthal here in the Chris Wesley podcast studio next to my friend Cynthia Freeland. I mention that because as we speak, Tom, Debbie, and Walker Rosenthal are in the control room in the back. You might have a special guest at the end of the show making a special pick. And so after he was NFL's most wanted just a month ago, getting booted out of the studio, he's back, and your parents are arriving to the facility right at this time, so we should get going. How are you, Cynthia?

A little holiday stress. We're good.

It is one of those days. It's all good. If you listen to this show each and every week, we make three pics against the spread. We do. Last week-I sucked. Wasn't a great week for Cynthia. Wasn't a great week for both of us in terms of the end of that Bearers-Vikings game. I was very annoyed by Roma Dunzey when he made that fourth down catch. I believe we have the graphic of our records over the course of the season. I went two and one. Not a great week for you, but you're still over 500 for the season. We're doing well.

I'm not mad about it. I took bigger risks and no biscuit, no biscuit.

Absolutely. We're going to make it back this week. We'll see if we have any pics on the same side. Why don't you get us going?

Okay, so are all games in play?

If you wanted, no, let's skip the Thanksgiving games. We're taping this before Thanksgiving.

I'm more worried about Friday. Do whatever you want. Is Friday in play?

Sure.

Give me those darn Chiefs. It's a big number, and they don't like to cover the spread. However, I got some points as to why. Number one, this is the team that beat them on Christmas last year. They're also coming off this Panthers game where they did did not expect to have this game-tying drive by Bryce Young to bring it into overtime. I think we see they went out, they got another left tackle, they're mad, blah, blah, blah. I think they cover the number.

Okay. Now I don't want to pat myself on the back. Actually, I do always want to pat myself on the back. I was on the other side of you with the Panthers last week. I didn't feel you there, but I only bring that up because I-I'm going to point out that you're right.I am with you here.Oh, okay. Because the Raiders, to me, are much more of a dead team. Antonio Piers even said it. Did you hear this one on Wednesday? I love it. He said it's the best team in the league versus the worst team in the league. You don't say that about your own team.

Well, I mean, look, last week, they had some things go right with Garner Minchou. I mean, he had some nice throws on an outbreak round.

And now he's out, and it's Aiden O'Neill again, who did get that win in theory against the Chief.

By not completing a pass in three quarters. Why would we want facts to get in the way of a good-Offensive efficiency was very good for the Chiefs last week.

It It was actually the defense that let them down. Okay, so last week, my number one overall pick was, which cruised, was Titans plus eight and a half. They ended up just winning that game outright. I think this team has been playing better than the box score and the final score has said for a little while. I'm going back to them with my number one overall pick this week. I like that one. This week, they are plus 5.5 in Washington. Now, Washington, maybe they get to win, maybe they Tennessee.

Maybe they win, maybe they won't.

I don't know. The Titans don't need to win this game. It wouldn't surprise me if they won straight up. Washington, that offense is based around the running game, and they're just not getting it going lately. Jeffrey Simmons, Harold Landry, Sweat, who's been playing really good. Tovandri Sweat as a rookie has been great, and I think they will be able to stop the Washington run game. That makes them one-dimensional. I think it's going to be close. I actually like what I've seen out of Will Levis. He's a bizarre player. He almost seems to like to get tackled. You know what I mean? He likes to get sacked. He just wants to feel a little pain.

20 times in three games, blah. He's into it.

Sometimes in life, you just need to get hit just to feel something. But he had some big-time throws in that game. At one point, he just wasn't throwing the ball, and the announcing crew, Jay Healey, was like, Throw it, throw it. But I think he's playing better in his second year. I think these two teams are pretty close when it comes to talent. I think the lack of talent on both sides of the ball, other than Jaden Daniels and Terry McLaren, has started to show up. Cliff Kingsbury does not make adjustments in-game very well, much less in-season. The reason the Titans are better than they look is because their special teams is so bad week after week. If I lose this, and they lose by more than five and a half, I bet it's the Special Teams that gets me. But I really love Titans plus five and a half. Okay.

I actually really like that one this week, too. I have a three-point win for Washington.

You could go in with me if you want. You know what?

It's Thanksgiving. We have to do things as a family here. We're a family unit here, so let's go together on that one. Okay.

We were on a roll going together for a while, and then we did not do as well last week with the Vikings, but I like it. Okay, so your second pick is going to be Titans plus five and a half. Your first pick is a big old Chief's win.

Also, can I add something to that? Please. Can we give a little love to nick Westbrook-Akina? The man's had six shutdowns in seven seven games. It's the third most over that span of seven games. No one talks about him. People forget. Maybe his parents don't forget about him, but other than that, we don't talk about him enough.

It's because he'll go like two catches, 70 yards, one breakdown. It seems unpredictable, but he's been good.

Seven games is more than a little unpredictable.

I like that. If you need a fantasy streamer, maybe next week wouldn't- Because we're going on the same side, then we're...

I also think for Daily Fantasy, if you're playing on Sunday, you can't use any of the four games that happened prior to that. So let's roll with N-W-I. N-w-i. I like that.

All right, my second pick, since Tennessee is your second pick, I'm going Seattle minus two in New York. What are the numbers like so much about the Jets, Cynthia? Because week after week, the number, and I feel like your computer model has been like this, too, says the Jets are better than they are. Why are the Seahawks only two-point favorites here? The Jets have been on fraud watch for me and Patrick Claibon all year. I got to say, we might have to retire fraud watch because it's never going to go as well as it did this year with the Jets because they have been fraudulent. They've been terrible, and the Seahawks have been playing better, especially on defense the last few weeks.

I don't really have any answers anymore. Really? I'm on the same side of you with that. But I'm not going to pick that one because whatever. But part of the reason... Look, the Jets, they're good at generating outside pressure. How about that? Okay. That That's a fact.

Maybe they've been unlucky. They've lost a lot of one-score games, and so they're not quite... They're not as bad as their record says they are. They're a three and eight team right now, but they're not good. I actually think the Seahawks are a different team than the one that we saw before their buy. The defense is playing better and better each and every week. They're stopping the run really well, and Brees Hall is missing practice early this week, and it's setting up those long yardage situations. That's where Mike McDonald sends those crazy blitzes. I can just imagine Aaron Rodgers just making a lot of throw a lot in the dirt, and some sacks, and it's the Geno Smith revenge game, too.

Love it. You know what Black Friday is known for? Deals. You know what deal you can get right now? If you think that the Seahawks are going to win the NFC West, deals, deals, deals. Limited time only. Get plus odds on the Seahawks to win the division. Look, the Cardinals, do you have two? They're ahead, but they also have a couple of things, two easier games than the Seahawks. However, Seahawks defense is improving right about the right time. That's why you get the discount on it. I don't know. It could be worth the upside.

I think they're a more talented team. They're a sneaky talented team. The Jets, yeah, they could have kept Gino all those years ago. The Giants, they could have kept Gino all those years ago. He's coming in as an unquestioned top 10 quarterback while Aaron freaking Rogers is getting blasted and probably in these last few games as a jet. All right, we're going to try to move this quickly here.

Look at you. Let's go to your-Calling out his career already.

I do mean as a jet. Maybe he'll get a job next This year.

Can we talk about the fact that there's one team I think that is... Okay, good. I want to make sure that I have... I think that the Rams are in really good shape this week. Okay. On the road in New Orleans, I just really like the Rams.

Why? They are what? A three and a half point favorite?

I've seen three. That's what I have. Okay.

Three works.

Point being, number one, they've got too many weapons. Let's just make it really simple. The Saints defense, despite being reinvigorating by their toilet clogging interim head coach, they have not been able to tackle anyone. They're not consistent tacklers. Marshawn Latamore isn't walking through that door. He's up in Washington, and he's not even playing for Washington right Now, just throw it away. Matthew Stafford is not going to be like, Hey, Tyron Matthew, let's have... No one's throwing to him. He's got the fourth lowest target rate for any safety in the league this year. There's just too many different options. You got Cooper Cup, you got Pukinaku, you got Kyron Williams, We got a lot of different things going on in this matchup, and I don't think that the Saints defense has enough horses to handle it. And there's no Chris Alavi on the other side. I just don't think the equation of MVS plus Taisam Hill, who's been good, plus Alvin Kamara is anywhere near as compelling as Matthew Stafford throwing to the guys I already mentioned and also running the football with Kyron Williams.

Plus, they've had the buy week, maybe the excitement over Rizzie Ball has died down during that buy.

They just go back to their level. I'm going to be honest.

I hope so. Their two wins were against a Falcons team, which is sinking in a game they probably should have lost, and a Brown's team, which was a good win, but it was tied in the fourth quarter. I'm with you. I really like that. It's minus two and a half where I'm looking here. Fantastic. I don't want to take a half a point away from you.

Even better.

Same idea for me is going to be my third pick. This one hurts me, especially with my dad, Tom, watching on and my son, Walker, about to come up here and make a guest pick. What is going on? Oh, yeah. I'm taking the Colts minus two and a half as my third pick over the Patriots in Foxborough. Little known fact, first ever football game I attended in person. And the last one for about 20 years after that, or until I went to college, was Colts Patriots. Doug Fluty had an end around for the Patriots to beat the Colts. I was there with my dad Tom there. But this Patriots team stinks. They're about as bad as some of those Dick McPherson, Rod Russ teams. The difference is they have a great young quarterback, and it makes me a little anxious about picking against him at home, but I think these two teams are at different places in their season. I think the Colts defense has been trending up since DeForece Buckner came back. Actually, they competed really well against the lines last week. If you watch that game, I think Anthony Richardson is trending up.

I know it didn't show in the stats, but I think he's played really well two weeks in a row and some bad luck in last week's game. I look at this Patriots coaching staff, I do not think they know what they're doing. I think they're poorly coached on both sides of the ball. Tons Tons of penalties, mental errors, and smart coaches are taking advantage of predictable defenses that they're running. I think Shane Steigen in this group is going to put it on them offensively, put up about 30 points, and it's tough to ask Drake May to keep up in that scenario.

But Drake May, let's give him some love because the man has- Playing him so well. He's been really good against pressure. He has the highest rookie passer rating or completion percentage against pressure. Hey, now.

That's good. It makes me a little worried. But when I just see two teams at different levels. I see the Colts right in the middle of the NFL. They are 16th in DVOA in terms of their defense. That feels about right. To me, the Patriots are 31, 32, 30. They're one of the worst teams in the league, and the numbers would support that. They've had one of the easiest schedules in the league despite being three and nine, and it's about to get harder. I think this Colts team, they're not done in terms of the play-off rate. You're not cooked yet. Because the Texans have been struggling a little bit. That is my son Walker's favorite team. And yes, after It's a month delay. Let's bring the kid out. Yeah, we have to. He wanted a chance. He begged for it. He said, I need to come in, and I need to make some pics. All right, now, through the magic of editing, this beautiful young boy has appeared here. You can look at that camera, Walker, if you're watching on YouTube.

Do you want to be called a beautiful young boy?

I mean, he is a beautiful... What do you think? Are you beautiful? He's handsome. Are you handsome or cute? Which would you want to be? Handsome.

There we go.

I agree. My son, Walker, nine years old.

You're already nine?

Smartest football mind.

Holy smokes. Are you in third grade?

Four.

You're in fourth grade already?

And how long have you been a Houston Texans fan?

I don't know, like a year. Yeah.

I mean, I don't know if that's fair to just jump ship.

But that's one ninth of his life.

Yeah. You still like the Patriots, though, right? You like the Rams. Why did the Texans become your favorite team?

Because I like CJ Shad and the way he plays.

Yeah, I agree. Guy knows ball. He knows ball. You wanted to make a pick, and you have a chance, actually, to go into first place on the show, because if you get this pick right, you would be one and no. Now, the flip side of that is you will be in last place if you don't get this right. You'll be zero and one, and you'll be stuck there forever. So make sure-Is this how you parent?

Yes.

Make sure you make a good pick. What is your pick?

No stress. You're going to be fine either way. Goodness gracious.

For week 13.

The Texans will beat the Jaguars because Will Anderson will pass Rush Trevor Lawrence a lot.

Okay, I like that. You like that match up? I love it. The Jaguars not as good up front after they traded Cam Robinson. Any concerns, though, about C. J. Stroud lately? He's your fantasy quarterback. You refuse to take him out of your lineup even though he's struggling, and you got a hot- That's what we call being loyal. That's loyalty.

I like the loyalty. Any concerns there?

He's good, but sometimes he doesn't really throw the ball. He needs to work on his past timing.

Yeah, I agree. His timing is a little bit of a issue.

But with all those penalties, this is the second most penalized team in the league. He's often in really bad situations. He's throwing first and 20. That stinks. That's no fun. It's not always his fault. Maybe if his O-line are a little better.

That would help.

Wouldn't that be helpful, don't you think? Yeah. Do you think he connects with Nico Collins for a countdown? Yeah. Same. I'm with you on that one. Big time.

When did you draft Nico Collins in your draft? Third round. I mean, a lot of people thought that was too early. How has that worked out? Have you been enjoying that?

Yeah.

Have you been enjoying that?

But I wish he wouldn't get hurt.

Yeah, but he's back and he's playing well. Is there anything more you want to say about this Texans Jaguar? Or really any matchup. To give our listeners or any matchup to help them make their picks because I think they're going to listen to you, Walker.

Totally.

I think the Jaguars will be really, really bad.

Why? Why? I mean, they're coming off a buy. No more Mac Jones. Initially, you were like, I'm picking against them because it's Mac Jones, but it is going to be Trevor Lawrence. It's a division matchup. You think they're going to be bad? Yeah. You think they'll fire their coach if they lose to the tech?

You stop making him click bait. I mean, maybe not this week, but probably at the end of the season, right? Yeah. Do you think Bill Will you like the Jags if Bill Belichet goes there?

No. Okay.

Just making sure. Listen, I want to understand where we stand here.

They're a division rival, right? Yeah. Can't handle that. It's great to have you on the show.Thank you.

Wait, do you think your sister's team win? They play New Orleans.

Yeah.

Yeah. Ram's beat New Orleans. Good. I'm glad he's on my side of that.

Cynthia was backing them big time. He probably was thinking you're talking about the fantasy league. You could say, I'm putting stress on him. There's no extra stress that I'm putting on him that he doesn't put on himself. When it's not going well- Isn't that what all stress parents that put on stress to their kids say? If the fantasy game is not going well, what do you do?

I'd be mad.

Yeah. You just turned the game You're like, I'm just going to bed. I'm going to bed. I'm going to my room when the stealers had an interception. Remember, you're just like, I can't watch this anymore.

It happens. Turned it on. I mean, I understand. I get it.

All right, buddy. You got to tell all the kids in your fourth grade class that you were on NFL Daily, but only tell him if the Texans win, right? Okay.

No, he can tell him before because he's so confident because he knows what he's talking about.

One of the things I try to do as a parent is remind Walker, if you are winning at something or doing well at something, then what, Walker? You got to tell people about it, right? You got to celebrate. Otherwise, they might not know that you're winning. All right, that is it.

I'm going to have you come whenever I have kids. I'm going to make sure you come over to teach me the rules of parenting because it seems like you got a good one, right? You got two great kids. Maybe I'll ask your wife.

We are headed to go tape a little game day view, but that is it for NFL Daily this week.Thank you, Walker, for stepping in.Thanks.

Walker.au.

Revoir.au revoir. We will be back on Sunday night with our recap show. As always, great week here on NFL Daily. And yes, when Walker Rosenthal is back in the building, you know that football is back.