The New York Times – Sports:
The league can more strictly penalize players for sexual assault involving coercion or threats, and its discipline can take into account patterns of conduct, after a judge who oversaw Watson’s hearing cited the policy’s limits.
The New York Times – Sports:
When Deshaun Watson’s suspension ended, the N.F.L.’s broadcast partners focused mainly on his return to the field, not on the behavior a hearing officer had deemed “predatory,” or on the women who accused him.
The New York Times – Sports:
The Browns’ defense and special teams scored three touchdowns in a win over the Texans. But the game took a back seat to Deshaun Watson’s return from an 11-game suspension.
The New York Times – Sports:
Kansas City and the Bengals revisit last season’s A.F.C. championship, the Commanders and Giants battle for playoff seeding, and the Dolphins offense gets its stiffest test yet against the 49ers defense.
The New York Times – Sports:
Owners of the league’s teams met to discuss N.F.L. business, including the payment of a $790 million settlement over the Rams’ relocation.
The New York Times – Sports:
Mayfield, the former Cleveland quarterback, was discarded after the team successfully recruited Deshaun Watson as his replacement. But leading Carolina, Mayfield could not out-duel Watson’s stand-in.
The New York Times – Sports:
Three Week 1 matchups — Joe Flacco’s hosting Baltimore, Baker Mayfield vs. Cleveland, and Russell Wilson’s return to Seattle — are billed as revenge games. But in football comeuppance is rare.
The New York Times – Sports:
The league has looked for contrition in determining its discipline of players accused of conduct violations. Deshaun Watson’s insistence that he did nothing wrong undermined its attempt at rehabbing his image.