TBH I can't argue with Goodell asking for a change in the suspension. He is screwed no matter what he does with Watson.
I mean, it was settled at 6 games but the backlash from that is what's driving him to have the NFL put up another fight. If there wouldn't have been as much press, they'd let it die. Now, he's got to try to do something, even if they don't win by getting a longer suspension. He has to put up a "show".
Also, compare the 6 weeks to Calvin Ridley, suspended for a year for placing a couple of legal bets on his own team while he was out on "mental health leave". He did not use any insider info and yet got punted for a year for 2 bets.
The imbalance in discipline is clear.