Cynthia Frelund

Cynthia Frelund is an American sports analyst for NFL Network who specializes in predictive analysis. She previously worked for ESPN and the NFL's League Office. Her predictions appear regularly on Around the NFL and Move the Sticks, as well as on The Herd with Colin Cowherd. Her work spans game picks through every round of the NFL postseason, fantasy sleepers, player stat projections, and division and conference winners. She covers teams across the league, from the Patriots and Bills to the Chiefs and Eagles, and weighs in on players like Joe Burrow, CeeDee Lamb, and Drake Maye.

Writes at Move the Sticks (podcast)

Every take from Cynthia Frelund, including the ones still waiting →

Is Cynthia Frelund accurate? Across 124 graded calls in 29 articles, Cynthia Frelund scores 61.08% accuracy and a MissedTakes Score of 14.51, which means their calls were better than a naive guess on the same claims. That is a limited sample, under thirty graded articles, so treat it with caution.

61.08%

Accuracy

How often they were right.

14.51

MissedTakes Score

Versus a naive guess. 0 means no better.

124

Graded calls

across 29 articles. 4 more not yet settled.

A limited sample — under 30 graded articles.

100% of their claims were specific enough to check. Most of what they said committed to something.

Every number here is computed from the published methodology, and every call below shows its own arithmetic.

Graded calls · 124

7 of 29 graded articles on this page, newest first — page 2 of 4.

Frelund picks the 49ers to beat the Panthers by a touchdown on Monday night, the Packers to beat the Vikings, and agrees Atlanta wins outright at New Orleans; she also thinks the Raiders can beat the Browns by about two points.4 graded calls · Nov 21, 2025
- San Francisco 49ers to beat Panthers
  “I think that on Monday Night football, the San Francisco forty nine Ers win by a touchdown.”
  Hit · 100Scored 100a naive guess scored 100+0 skill
  How this was scored
  won:
  SF
  score:
  9-20
  skill:
  0
  they picked:
  SF
  season:
  2025
  accuracy:
  100
  baseline:
  100
  the naive pick:
  SF
  difficulty:

Frielan picked the Ravens to cover eight at Cleveland, the Bears to win outright in Minnesota, and the Texans to cover seven against Tennessee; she also has Buffalo beating Tampa Bay by four and the Dolphins beating Washington.6 graded calls · Nov 14, 2025

Pittsburgh Steelers to beat Bengals
“So it's not one that I feel super strongly about, except that Pittsburgh will win this game. I feel good about that.”
Hit · 100Scored 100a naive guess scored 100+0 skill
How this was scored
won:
PIT
score:
12-34
skill:
0
they picked:
PIT
season:
2025
accuracy:
100
baseline:
100
the naive pick:
PIT
difficulty:
1.44
weeks in the season:
18
weeks left when called:
8
Think this grade is wrong?
Buffalo Bills to beat Tampa Bay
“So that's why I have Buffalo winning, but I think Tampa Bay could easily keep it very close... I have a four point game”
Hit · 100Scored 100a naive guess scored 100+0 skill
How this was scored
won:
BUF
score:
32-44
skill:
0
they picked:
BUF
season:
2025
accuracy:
100
baseline:
100
the naive pick:
BUF
difficulty:
1.44
weeks in the season:
18
weeks left when called:
8
Think this grade is wrong?
Chicago Bears to beat Minnesota
“I think Chicago they're underdogs in Minnesota. The number is three... I have them winning... So I think the Bears win this one.”
Hit · 100Scored 100a naive guess scored 0+144 skill
How this was scored
won:
CHI
score:
19-17
skill:
144
they picked:
CHI
season:
2025
accuracy:
100
baseline:
0
the naive pick:
MIN
difficulty:
1.44
weeks in the season:
18
weeks left when called:
8
Think this grade is wrong?
Miami Dolphins to beat Washington
“I do think the Dolphins win. I do agree with you that their defense is better”
Hit · 100Scored 100a naive guess scored 100+0 skill
How this was scored
won:
MIA
score:
13-16
skill:
0
they picked:
MIA
season:
2025
accuracy:
100
baseline:
100
the naive pick:
MIA
difficulty:
1.44
weeks in the season:
18
weeks left when called:
8
Think this grade is wrong?
Baltimore Ravens to beat Cleveland
“So I know that eight points is a lot, but I don't care... it's Baltimore over Cleveland. In Cleveland... I think the Ravens beat that.”
Hit · 100Scored 100a naive guess scored 0+144 skill
How this was scored
won:
BAL
score:
23-16
skill:
144
they picked:
BAL
season:
2025
accuracy:
100
baseline:
0
the naive pick:
CLE
difficulty:
1.44
weeks in the season:
18
weeks left when called:
8
Think this grade is wrong?
Houston Texans to beat Tennessee
“Seven points Houston over Tennessee.”
Hit · 100Scored 100a naive guess scored 0+144 skill
How this was scored
won:
HOU
score:
16-13
skill:
144
they picked:
HOU
season:
2025
accuracy:
100
baseline:
0
the naive pick:
TEN
difficulty:
1.44
weeks in the season:
18
weeks left when called:
8
Think this grade is wrong?

Freeland picked New England to beat the Falcons at home, the Chargers to blow out the Titans, and the Packers to beat the Panthers by more than 12.5 points; her model also sides with the Bills over the Chiefs. She also expects Kyler Murray, not Jacoby Brissett, to start for Arizona.5 graded calls · Oct 31, 2025

New England Patriots to beat Falcons
“I'm going to go with New England to cover I know five and a half it's at home”
Hit · 100Scored 100a naive guess scored 100+0 skill
How this was scored
won:
NE
score:
23-24
skill:
0
they picked:
NE
season:
2025
accuracy:
100
baseline:
100
the naive pick:
NE
difficulty:
1.56
weeks in the season:
18
weeks left when called:
10
Think this grade is wrong?
Kyler Murray to be 1st on the depth chart
“I think it's possible that Jonathan Gannon's like, let's throw out Jacoby Brissett in front of the media, but we're going with Kyler.”
Hit · 92Scored 91.67a naive guess scored 91.67+0 skill
How this was scored
club:
ARI
skill:
0
player:
Kyler Murray
season:
2025
accuracy:
91.67
baseline:
91.67
position:
QB
naive slot:
1
actual slot:
2
difficulty:
1.56
measured by:
passing yards
the naive guess:
where he sat last season
weeks in the season:
18
predicted slot:
1
weeks left when called:
10
Green Bay Packers to beat Carolina Panthers
“At home, the Packers twelve and a half. I like that one against the Carolina Panthers... Packers over twelve and a half by win by more than twelve and a half points.”
Miss · 0Scored 0a naive guess scored 0+0 skill
How this was scored
won:
CAR
score:
16-13
skill:
0
they picked:
GB
season:
2025
accuracy:
0
baseline:
0
the naive pick:
GB
difficulty:
1.56
weeks in the season:
18
weeks left when called:
10
Think this grade is wrong?
Buffalo Bills to beat Chiefs
“My my model's picking the Bills.”
Hit · 100Scored 100a naive guess scored 100+0 skill
How this was scored
won:
BUF
score:
21-28
skill:
0
they picked:
BUF
season:
2025
accuracy:
100
baseline:
100
the naive pick:
BUF
difficulty:
1.56
weeks in the season:
18
weeks left when called:
10
Think this grade is wrong?
Los Angeles Chargers to beat Titans
“I'm looking at this Chargers team and I'm looking at what's going on the Titans... I just don't understand how you stop the Chargers at half capacity.”
Hit · 100Scored 100a naive guess scored 0+156 skill
How this was scored
won:
LAC
score:
27-20
skill:
156
they picked:
LAC
season:
2025
accuracy:
100
baseline:
0
the naive pick:
TEN
difficulty:
1.56
weeks in the season:
18
weeks left when called:
10
Think this grade is wrong?

Freeland picked the Chiefs to beat Washington by a big margin, the Colts to blow out the Titans by more than two touchdowns, and Tampa Bay to rebound and win in New Orleans. She also likes the Ravens to win their division and had the Patriots winning.8 graded calls · Oct 23, 2025

Tampa Bay Buccaneers to beat New Orleans
“I think Tampa Bay rebounds in New Orleans”
Hit · 100Scored 100a naive guess scored 0+161 skill
How this was scored
won:
TB
score:
23-3
skill:
161
they picked:
TB
season:
2025
accuracy:
100
baseline:
0
the naive pick:
NO
difficulty:
1.61
weeks in the season:
18
weeks left when called:
11
Think this grade is wrong?
Tez Johnson to be 1st on the depth chart
“the fact that Megg Buka and Tes Johnson will be the two starting outside wide receivers”
Close · 67Scored 66.67a naive guess scored 75-13.42 skill
How this was scored
club:
TB
skill:
-13.42
player:
Tez Johnson
season:
2025
accuracy:
66.67
baseline:
75
position:
WR
naive slot:
2
actual slot:
5
difficulty:
1.61
measured by:
receptions
the naive guess:
no prior season — a rookie is assumed to start behind the incumbent
weeks in the season:
18
predicted slot:
1
weeks left when called:
11
Emeka Egbuka to be 1st on the depth chart
“the fact that Megg Buka and Tes Johnson will be the two starting outside wide receivers”
Hit · 100Scored 100a naive guess scored 91.67+13.42 skill
How this was scored
club:
TB
skill:
13.42
player:
Emeka Egbuka
season:
2025
accuracy:
100
baseline:
91.67
position:
WR
naive slot:
2
actual slot:
1
difficulty:
1.61
measured by:
receptions
the naive guess:
no prior season — a rookie is assumed to start behind the incumbent
weeks in the season:
18
predicted slot:
1
weeks left when called:
11
Green Bay Packers to beat Pittsburgh
“I have green Bay winning this one... I just think that Green Bay wins this one.”
Hit · 100Scored 100a naive guess scored 0+161 skill
How this was scored
won:
GB
score:
35-25
skill:
161
they picked:
GB
season:
2025
accuracy:
100
baseline:
0
the naive pick:
PIT
difficulty:
1.61
weeks in the season:
18
weeks left when called:
11
Think this grade is wrong?
Kansas City Chiefs to beat Commanders
“Monday Night Football. I think that the Chiefs win by a big margin”
Hit · 100Scored 100a naive guess scored 100+0 skill
How this was scored
won:
KC
score:
7-28
skill:
0
they picked:
KC
season:
2025
accuracy:
100
baseline:
100
the naive pick:
KC
difficulty:
1.61
weeks in the season:
18
weeks left when called:
11
Think this grade is wrong?
New England Patriots to beat Browns
“Plus I have the Patriots winning.”
Hit · 100Scored 100a naive guess scored 100+0 skill
How this was scored
won:
NE
score:
13-32
skill:
0
they picked:
NE
season:
2025
accuracy:
100
baseline:
100
the naive pick:
NE
difficulty:
1.61
weeks in the season:
18
weeks left when called:
11
Think this grade is wrong?
Baltimore Ravens to win the division
“For the futures market. I think them winning the division is a very smart, fun one situation to be in.”
Miss · 0Scored 0a naive guess scored 0+0 skill
How this was scored
skill:
0
method:
division winners read off the bracket: the bye teams and the wild-card hosts
they picked:
BAL
season:
2025
accuracy:
0
baseline:
0
the naive pick:
BAL
difficulty:
1.61
the naive guess:
last season's winner of the same division
weeks in the season:
18
weeks left when called:
11
won the division:
no
Think this grade is wrong?
Indianapolis Colts to beat Tennessee
“I just think the Cults role... It's just really hard to imagine a scenario where Tennessee can really keep it close.”
Hit · 100Scored 100a naive guess scored 100+0 skill
How this was scored
won:
IND
score:
14-38
skill:
0
they picked:
IND
season:
2025
accuracy:
100
baseline:
100
the naive pick:
IND
difficulty:
1.61
weeks in the season:
18
weeks left when called:
11
Think this grade is wrong?

Cynthia gave straight-up winners for Week 7: the Jets to beat the Panthers, the Jaguars to beat the Rams in London, the Packers to beat the Cardinals (in a close game), the Lions to beat the Buccaneers by three, the Broncos to beat the Giants by more than seven, and the Chiefs to beat the Raiders by 13.6 graded calls · Oct 17, 2025

Detroit Lions to beat Tampa Bay
“I have a three point win for Detroit.”
Hit · 100Scored 100a naive guess scored 100+0 skill
How this was scored
won:
DET
score:
9-24
skill:
0
they picked:
DET
season:
2025
accuracy:
100
baseline:
100
the naive pick:
DET
difficulty:
1.67
weeks in the season:
18
weeks left when called:
12
Think this grade is wrong?
New York Jets to beat Carolina Panthers
“However, I think that the Jets, I think that they win straight up wow”
Miss · 0Scored 0a naive guess scored 0+0 skill
How this was scored
won:
CAR
score:
13-6
skill:
0
they picked:
NYJ
season:
2025
accuracy:
0
baseline:
0
the naive pick:
NYJ
difficulty:
1.67
weeks in the season:
18
weeks left when called:
12
Think this grade is wrong?
Jacksonville Jaguars to beat Rams
“What's the number you're seeing for Jacksonville and the Rams? The Rams are favorite IC three. Yes, okay, I think Jacksonville wins... straight up”
Miss · 0Scored 0a naive guess scored 0+0 skill
How this was scored
won:
LAR
score:
35-7
skill:
0
they picked:
JAX
season:
2025
accuracy:
0
baseline:
0
the naive pick:
JAX
difficulty:
1.67
weeks in the season:
18
weeks left when called:
12
Think this grade is wrong?
Kansas City Chiefs to beat Raiders
“So I'm actually with you, I have a thirteen point win.”
Hit · 100Scored 100a naive guess scored 100+0 skill
How this was scored
won:
KC
score:
0-31
skill:
0
they picked:
KC
season:
2025
accuracy:
100
baseline:
100
the naive pick:
KC
difficulty:
1.67
weeks in the season:
18
weeks left when called:
12
Think this grade is wrong?
Denver Broncos to beat Giants
“I'm gonna end this one with the Denver Broncos, and I think that they win by more than seven.”
Hit · 100Scored 100a naive guess scored 100+0 skill
How this was scored
won:
DEN
score:
32-33
skill:
0
they picked:
DEN
season:
2025
accuracy:
100
baseline:
100
the naive pick:
DEN
difficulty:
1.67
weeks in the season:
18
weeks left when called:
12
Think this grade is wrong?
Green Bay Packers to beat Arizona
“I do have the Packers winning the Packers, I have them winning, but I have Arizona keeping it close.”
Hit · 100Scored 100a naive guess scored 0+167 skill
How this was scored
won:
GB
score:
27-23
skill:
167
they picked:
GB
season:
2025
accuracy:
100
baseline:
0
the naive pick:
ARI
difficulty:
1.67
weeks in the season:
18
weeks left when called:
12
Think this grade is wrong?

Cynthia Frelund Predictions: Record, Accuracy, Every Take, page 2 | MissedTakes