NFL News and Notes 10/23

1) Race Norming

The NFL, whose virtue signals all the time about diversity, has been busted yet again for being the exact opposite. Race Norming follows revelations that the previous testing system was based on a formula that assumed black players have a lower level of cognitive function. This “race-norming” made it harder for black players to prove they suffered from injuries linked to their careers. Since the 1990s, the NFL has declared that African-American athletes are inherently dumber than their white counterparts. This is the same NFL that fired Jon Gruden over emails, so you may ask what the NFL will do in this case. Will what the NFL did was get rid of race norming, while at the same time putting in the agreement that there would be no finding that they are to blame for it! So once again, the NFL, which is a good ole boys network, will get off scot-free again.

2) Deshaun Watson to Miami?

Please leave it to the Miami Dolphins to take a bad situation and make it worse. Rumors are flying that Deshaun Watson could be traded soon to the Miami Dolphins. Number one, Watson has not played all year. Number 2, we don’t know what will happen in the future with the Sexual assault allegations that have been leveled against the star quarterback. Number 3, the Dolphins would have to give up a lot to get him. Number 4 Watson would be a huge distraction. Brian Flores has given quarterback Tua Tagovailoa a vote of confidence, so maybe the rumors are not valid. But I think it’s safe to assume where there is smoke; there is fire. The Dolphins organization was set up two years ago to become a contender quickly with all of the draft capital they had obtained, but they blew that by screwing up on most of those picks. So, in the end, I do not think a trade to the Dolphins will happen.

3) Game of the Week

Bengals@Ravens</strong>

The ravens are on fire now, and they beat a good Chargers team 34-6 with Lamar Jackson throwing for less than 200 yards! Injuries have killed the Ravens this year, but John Harbaugh is the second-best coach in the NFL for a reason. On the other hand, Cincinnati is also hot, especially on defense, where second-year linebacker Logan Wilson has led the Bengals. The Bengals talent level is on par and maybe even better than Baltimore’s coaching, though it goes in a landslide to the Ravens. If ultra-conservative Zac Taylor lets Joe Burrow throw the ball deep, especially in the first half, the Bengals can win this game. I will lean towards Harbaugh in a close one. Ravens 24  Bengals 20

4) Upset of the Week

Titans over the Chiefs

Both defenses have been wrong, so expect a shootout. I like the Titans’ ability to control the clock behind the running of Derrick Henry. This is almost a must-win for the Chiefs, and the Titans need a win to stay ahead of the Colts in the AFC south.

5) Lock of the Week

Rams over Lions

The Lions were awful last week, and I don’t see them getting any better anytime soon. The Rams Matthew Stafford will throw for well over 300 yards as he leads the Rams to an easy win.