Sports data tells a story, but are most of us reading it wrong?
On this episode, we sit down with Cynthia Frelund, NFL Network’s analytics expert, to explore how data and storytelling shape the way fans, media, and teams understand football. From ESPN to a decade inside the NFL, Cynthia has built a career turning complex analytics into stories that both support and challenge the conversations behind MVP debates, quarterback reputations, team identity, and more.
We unpack the gap between stats and story, why labels like “elite” or “can’t win in primetime” stick to certain players, how analytics can challenge those narratives, and what the data actually reveals about performance, team building, and winning in the NFL. Cynthia breaks down how her models are built, how coaches use data in real time, and why football remains one of the most complex and unpredictable sports. It’s a deeper look at NFL analytics and the human side of data that helps us understand each game in a new way.
Cynthia Frelund is one of the leading voices in NFL analytics. As the analytics expert for NFL Network, she delivers data-driven insights into the game on NFL Fantasy LIVE, GameDay Morning, and more. She joined the network in 2016 after roles at ESPN and the NFL’s league office. Cynthia builds her own models and simulations, running millions over the course of the season, to help explain what’s happening on the field and what’s likely to happen next.
Connect with Cynthia on Instagram, Facebook, and X, tune into her show Numbers Game on YouTube, or catch her on the NFL Network.
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