NFL Daily with Gregg Rosenthal - Week 13 Picks with Cynthia Frelund

Episode Date: November 29, 2024

Gregg Rosenthal and Cynthia Frelund are back for their Week 13 picks against the spread. Cynthia starts the show off with taking a side in the Black Friday game between the Chiefs and Raiders. Followed by picks in Titans-Commanders, Seahawks-Jets, Rams-Saints, Colts-Patriots, and a special pick from a surprise guest to end the show.NFL Daily YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nflpodcastsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is an I-Heart podcast. Hey, everybody. Daniel Jeremiah here. And I'm Bucky Brooks. On Move the 6th, we take you inside the game from breaking down college prospects and NFL rookies to evaluating team building philosophies, coaching trends, and how front offices construct winning rosters. We study the tape, talk to decision makers, and give you a perspective you won't find anywhere else.

It's everything you need to understand the why behind what happens on Sunday. Don't miss it. Listen to the Move the Sticks podcast on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. I'm Marcus Grant. And I'm Michael Florio, and together we host the NFL Fantasy Football Podcast. Ready to dominate your fantasy league this season? Then you need the NFL Fantasy Football Podcast, your ultimate source for player news, draft tips, and winning strategies. Whether you're a rookie manager or a fantasy vet. We've got the insight to help you crush your opponents.

Listen to the NFL Fantasy Football Podcast on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Toyota, the official automotive partner of the NFL. Visit Toyota.com slash NFL now to learn more. Welcome to NFL Daily, where football finally is family. I'm Greg Rosenthal here in the Chris Wesleying podcast studio next to my friend, Cynthia Freeland. And 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? You know, like, you know, a little holiday stress. We're good. We're good. We're good.

It is one of those days. It's all good. If you listen to this show each and every week, you know, we make three picks against the spread. We do. Last week. I sucked. You know, it wasn't a great week for Cynthia. It 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 Dunzee. uh when he made that fourth down catch i believe i believe we have the graphic of our of our records over the course of the season i went two and one not a great week for you but you're still you're still over 500 we're fine for the season we're doing well i'm mad about it and took bigger risks and you know no risk it no biscuit absolutely and we're going to make it back this week we'll see if we have any picks on the same side why don't you get us going okay so are all games in play uh if you want to no let's skip the thanksgiving games we're taping this before i'm more worried about i'm more do whatever you want. Do whatever you want. Do whatever you want. Is Friday in play? Sure.

Give me those darn chiefs. Ooh. Yeah. It's a big number and they don't, 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 not expect to have this like game tying drive by Bryce Young to bring it into overtime. I think we see like they went out. They got another left tackle. They're mad blah blah blah I think they cover the number okay I know I don't want to pat myself on the back actually I do always want to pat myself on the back I was 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 point out that you're right I am with you here because the raiders to me are much more of a dead team Antonio Pierce even said it did you hear this one on on Thursday it's the best team in the league versus the worst team in the league you don't say that about your own well I mean like look like last

week they had some things go right with Gardner Minchew. I mean, he had some nice throws on Outbreaking round. And now he's out, and it's Aiden O'Connell again. Who did get that win? In theory, against the Chiefs. By not completing a pass in three quarters. Don't let, you know, why would we want facts to get in the way of a good

offensive efficiency was very good for the Chiefs last week? It was actually the defense that let them down. Okay, so last week, my number one overall pick was? Which, cruised, yeah, was Titans plus eight and a half. They ended up just winning that Outright.

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 five and a five, plus five point five in Washington. Now, Washington, maybe they gets to win. Maybe they won't. Tennessee.

Maybe they win. Maybe they won. I don't know. But the Titans don't need to win this game. I 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. Devondry 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 kind of 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? Like, he likes to get sacked. He just wants to feel a little pain. He's 20 times in three games, blah. Like, you know, he's into it. 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 Feely 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 Jane Daniels and Terry McLaren has started to show up. Cliff Kingsbury does not make adjustments. in-game very well, much less in-season.

And the reason the Titans are better than they look is because their special teams is so bad week after week. So 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.

Yeah. 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 Chiefs win. Also, can I add something to that team's list? Can we give a little love to Nick Westbrook Aquina? The man's had six touchdowns in seven games. It's the third most over that span of seven games.

No one talks about him. People forget it. No, like, do his, maybe his parents don't forget about it. But other than that, like, we don't talk about him enough. It's because he'll go like two catches, 70 yards, one touchdown. 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. So, because we're going on the same side, then we're, you know, I also think, like, you know, 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 NWI. NWI. 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. Like, why are the Seahawks

It's only two-point favorites here. The Jets have been on Fraud Watch for me and Patrick Claibon all year. And 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. 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, like, look, the Jets, they're good at generating outside pressure. How about that? Okay. That's a fact. Maybe they've been unlucky. They've lost a lot of one-score games, and so they're not quite a...

They're not as bad as the record says they are. They're a three-and-eight team right now, but they're not good. And I actually think the Seahawks are a different team. Correct. Than the one that we saw before they're by, 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-yarded situations, and that's where Mike McDonald sends those crazy blitzes. and I can just imagine Aaron Rogers

is making a lot of throwaways, a lot in the dirt and some sacks, and it's the Gino Smith Revenge game too. Love it. You know what Black Friday's known for? Deals. Oh. You know what kind of deal you can get right now?

And if you think that the Seahawks are going to win the NFC West, deals, deals, deals, deals. Please. Limited time only. Get plus odds on the Seahawks to win the division. Bo-B-B-Boo-Doo. Look, the Cardinals, do you have two?

Like, they're ahead, but they also have a couple 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. 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. And he's coming in as a 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 out his career already. You know. I didn't even as a jet. Maybe he'll get a job next year, but. 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 have the, 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? So they are, what, a three and a half point favorite? I've seen three. That's what, that's what. Okay, three works. Whatever. Point being, number one.

Um, they've got too many weapons and 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 Lattimore in walking through that door. He's up in Washington and he's not even playing for Washington right now. Just throw it away. Like Matthew Stafford's not going to be like, hey, Tyrone Matthew, let's have, no,

no one's throwing to him. He's got like 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 Pooka Nuku, you got Kairun Williams. You 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 Oliva on the other side.

I just don't think like the equation of MVS plus Taysam Hill, who's been good. Plus Alvin Camara is, is anywhere near as compelling as Matthew Stafford throwing to the guys I already mentioned and also running football with Kyron Williams. Plus they've had the by week, maybe like the excitement over Rizzie Ball has kind of died down during that buy. they just go back to their level. I'm going to be honest. I kind of 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. And it's minus two and a half where I'm looking here. Fantastic. So I don't want to take a half a point away from you.

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. 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 Flutie had an end around for the Patriots to beat the Colts. I was there. 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 Rust 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 DeForest 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. And 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 of penalties, mental errors. And smart coaches are taking advantage of predictable defenses that they're running. So I think Shane Steichen 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 sort of scenario. But Drake May, let's give him some love because the man has, he's been really good against him. pressure, he is the highest rookie passer rating or completion percentage against pressure. Hey, now. 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, 30th. 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 playoffs. They're not cooked yet. Because the Texans have been struggling a little bit. That is my son Walker's favorite team. And yes, after 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 picks. 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? He's handsome.

Yeah. 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 mine. 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, kind of, right? You like the Rams. Yeah. Why did the Texans become your favorite team? Because I like CJ's chat and the way he plays.

Yep, 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. Yeah. 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. Okay. Because Will Anderson will pass rush Trevor Lawrence a lot. Okay. I like that. You like that matchup? 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. He's good, but sometimes he doesn't really throw the ball. Like he needs to work on his past timing. Yeah, I agree. Fair.

His timing is a little bit of... Wouldn't it be... But I mean, with all those penalties, This is like the second most penalized team in the league. So he's often in like really bad situations, right? He's throwing like first and 20. That stinks. That's no fun.

So it's not always his fault. Maybe if his O line or a little better. That would help. Wouldn't that be helpful doing anything? Do you think he connects with Nico Collins for a touchdown? 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 now and he's playing well.

Is there anything more you want to say about this Texans Jaguars? Or really any matchup. To give our listeners or any matchup, you know, 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. Right. 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. Yeah. 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 clickbait.

I mean, maybe not this week. Okay. But probably at the end of season, right? Yeah. Do you think Bill Belich, will you like the Jags if Bill Belichick goes there? No. Okay. Just making sure I'm.

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 will win? They play New Orleans.

Yeah. Yeah, Rams beat New Orleans. Good. I'm glad he's on my side of that. Cynthia, yeah, Cynthia was backing them big time. He probably was thinking you're talking about the fantasy league. I mean, 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.

Like, when it's not going well. It's like all stressed parents that put on stress to the kids say. If the fantasy game's not going well, what do you do? I'd be mad. Yeah. And you just turn the game off. You're like, I'm just going to bed. I'm going to my room when the Steelers had an interception.

Remember, you're just like, I can't watch this anymore. Happens. Turns it on. I mean, I kind of 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 them if the Texans win, right?

Okay. 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, like, 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. Like, you got a good one, right? You got two great kids. Maybe I'll, 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. Thank you, Walker.

All right. 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 Hey, everybody, Daniel Jeremiah here. And I'm Bucky Brooks. On Move to Six, we take you inside the game from breaking down college prospects and NFL rookies to evaluating team building philosophies, coaching trends, and how front offices construct winning rosters.

We study the tape, talk to decision makers, and give you a perspective you won't find anywhere else. It's everything you need to understand the why behind me. what happens on Sunday. Don't miss it. Listen to the Move the Sticks podcast on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. I'm Marcus Grant. And I'm Michael Florio, and together we host the NFL fantasy football podcast. Ready to dominate your fantasy league this season? Then you need the NFL fantasy football podcast, your ultimate source for player news, draft tips, and winning strategies. Whether you're a rookie manager or a fantasy vet,

We've got the insight to help you crush your opponents. Listen to the NFL fantasy football podcast on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Toyota, the official automotive partner of the NFL. Visit Toyota.com slash NFL now to learn more. This is an IHeart podcast.