FOOTBALL FREAK: Redskins shouldn’t have signed Foster

When will some NFL teams look beyond the wins, and make good sound football moves that will not embarrass the league and fans?
Take what happened this week when the Washington Redskins signed talented but troubled linebacker Reuben Foster, who was cut by the San Francisco 49ers after his second domestic violence charge in less than a year.
Hats off to the 49ers, who said enough was enough after giving him a second chance and letting him go. But for the Redskins to go and sign him is a disgrace as it just sends the wrong message to everyone.
If the Redskins wanted to do the right thing, how about giving Colin Kaepernick a tryout after losing quarterback Alex Smith for the season?
This would have been a good gesture in moving football in the proper direction in the eyes of society – not what occurred this week!

Sure thing
The Packers are at home, Arizona is playing in the cold. The Cardinals have rookie Josh Rosen, the Packers have A Rod. These are all the factors you need to know. Take Green Bay at Lambeau.
Once upon a time, when Oakland was any good, this was a huge rivalry game in the “Black Hole.” Kansas City is coming off a bye week, playing the hated Raiders. The Chiefs pound Oakland.
Seattle might be the biggest surprise in the NFC, and is a solid team on both sides of the ball, especially at their nest. The 49ers are decimated by injuries, and it will show on Sunday. Take the Hawks at home.
The Lions have been a big disappointment this season while the Rams’ high-octane offence has been spectacular. The Lions can’t match touchdowns with the Rams, but they will make it a close game in the Motor City. The Rams escape with a road win.

Don’t mortgage the house picks
Miami blew a 10-point fourth-quarter lead last week in Indy, and need this game in sunny Florida against an underachieving Bills’ team that somehow has managed four wins this season. The Fish swim deep, and come up with a huge win.
The Jaguars have Cody Kessler starting at quarterback after benching Blake Bortles. Leonard Fournette is suspended for a fight in the Buffalo game, the defence is missing big mouth Jalen Ramsay and all of this on top of their other issues. This is too much to overcome. The Freak really likes the visiting Colts.
Tennessee loves its home cooking after losing their last two games on the road. The Titans head to Nashville to play the struggling Jets, who have been going in the wrong direction the last month. The Titans keep their playoff hopes alive with a victory.
Can you see the Giants’ O-line blocking Khalil Mack and the rest of the Bears’ front seven? The Freak has watched enough Giants’ games this season to know they won’t be able to do this. Not even sure if Eli can make it out of this game after all these hits from Chicago. The Bears take a big chunk out of the Big Apple.
The Freak refuses to bet against Coach Belichick and Tom Brady at home against any team. Minnesota has been very inconsistent, and who knows which Viking team will show up? You know what team will show up for the Patriots. Take the safe bet, New England.
There’s a big game in the very weak NFC East Division as the Redskins head to Philadelphia. Both teams will go nowhere in the NFC playoffs with the Saints, Rams and Bears in the conference, but it’s nice to make the post-season anyway. The Eagles are at home, and the Redskins are not great on the road. Take Philly.

Flip a coin
The Chargers head to Pittsburgh in a big AFC game with no running back Melvin Gordon. However, back-up Austin Ekeler could start on many NFL teams, and will fit right in with the offence. Philip Rivers, who was drafted the same season as the Steelers’ Ben Roethlisberger, will attack the weak Pittsburgh secondary with his big right arm. Los Angeles pulls off a road shootout win over the Steelers.
Atlanta fans will be having flashbacks of their own Mike Vick as they watch rookie quarterback Lamar Jackson running around for the Baltimore Ravens. This will be Jackson’s first road game, and he will find out it’s hard winning on the road in the NFL. The Falcons win a close one.
Denver just beat two of the best teams in the AFC the last two weeks in the Chargers and Steelers, and lost by only three points to the Rams as well. Now, they head out on the road to face a Bengals’ defence that can’t stop a nosebleed, let alone a hot Broncos’ offence. Cincy is also going with back-up quarterback in Jeff Driskel. Denver stays hot with a win.
Just like The Freak thought, the Panthers have struggled to recover since the terrible two-point conversion decision by Coach Rivera. These games with Tampa always turn into a big lead for one team, but ends up a nail-biter come the end of the game. This week, the Panthers find a way to pull out a win on the road.

Upset special
The last team to beat the Houston Texans were the Giants, which is funny in itself as they have now won eight in a row.  
Cleveland isn’t a pushover anymore with its young talented team.
The Freak has another gut feeling after picking last week’s Bills’ upset.
Baker Mayfield and the Browns upset the Texans down in the heart of Texas.

John Turner is a Summerside school teacher and coaches youth football. His column appears every Saturday during the NFL season. Feel free to e-mail questions and comments to [email protected].