With recent reports suggesting the lockout which held the upcoming season of the National Football League hostage is coming to a conclusion, fans can now begin to follow their favorite teams again with hope that football glory in the cards for their respective clubs. There are many intriguing plot lines to follow, and these are some of the free NFL picks which may be most pertinent.
In the NFC, many eyes will be on the Minnesota Vikings. After a tumultuous and unimpressive 2010 season which saw the team suffer many critical injuries, setbacks from several key players, and the roof of their home building collapse after a snowstorm, the purple and gold will be looking to rebound.
The team selected FSU quarterback Christian Ponder twelfth overall at the NFL entry draft in April. The pick was questioned by football commentators and pundits for being off the board, but the Vikings brass was impressed with Ponders high football IQ and ability to a lead a team of seasoned veterans. However, look for the Vikings to call on a more experienced arm so as not to toss Ponder to the wolves in his first professional season.
The influx on new blood behind center as also led to the exodus of Brett Favre. The future Hall of Famer will not be retained by Minnesota and the old gunslinger is likely headed to his retirement. Favre was amazing his first year with the team, experience a revival that would have been inconceivable just one year prior. But last season, age caught up with the grizzly veteran and he suffered myriad injuries which ended his record setting consecutive games played streak.
The AFC championship game will likely see a repeat of last year’s contest. The New York Jets, led by brilliant rookie quarterback Mark Sanchez are on the cusp of bringing back several of their key players whom would have been free agents had they not secured new contracts. With such a young and talented roster, expect big things from gang green in 2011.
The Steelers have faced several off the field incidents within the last calendar year. Two of their best players, Hines Ward and Ben Roethlisberger were arrested and this could be disconcerting for the black and gold. However, their talent on the field cannot be disputed, so look for the Steelers to make a return trip to the playoffs after securing another divisional crown.
There certainly is no shortage of storylines to follow this year in the National Football League. With labor peace imminent, fans can return their focus to their favorite teams, and not the courtroom legal battles.
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