By Danny Cox

Into the second half of the 2012 NFL season we go and unpredictability is around every single corner. A little bit more reliability and sanity has come to the league in the past couple weeks, but that doesn’t mean the craziness is done yet. Who will throw the monkey wrench in the machine this week?

(Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)

Bye Weeks: St. Louis, New England, New York Jets, San Francisco

Thursday Night Football: San Diego Chargers 31 – Kansas City Chiefs 13

San Diego’s struggles are stranger to no-one that pays any attention to the professional world of the NFL. Still, it didn’t seem like the Bolts would be hurting enough to lose to the Chiefs, and such was the case.

Pick: Chargers
Winner: Chargers

Denver Broncos at Cincinnati Bengals

Peyton Manning has really shaken off the early season rust, and has this Broncos team headed for the playoffs in what is an easily winnable AFC West.

Pick: Broncos

Baltimore Ravens at Cleveland Browns

Baltimore needs to rebound, and if they can’t beat the Browns, then consider this season getting ready to turn into a long one. One piece of advice for Baltimore and that is…give the ball to Ray Rice. Just do it.

Pick: Ravens

Arizona Cardinals at Green Bay Packers

The Cards are on a downward spiral to nowhere.

Pick: Pack

Chicago Bears at Tennessee Titans

Chicago is finally looking like the contender they were expected to be the past few years. Tennessee isn’t so bad, but they just won’t be able to get around the defense of the Bears and an offense that plays well enough to win.

Pick: Bears

Miami Dolphins at Indianapolis Colts

Yes, Andrew Luck is looking better and better as the season goes on, but the Dolphins are onto something. Their success depends on the health of Ryan Tannehill though, and the report is that he will start on Sunday.

Pick: Dolphins

Carolina Panthers at Washington Redskins

Carolina has already imploded this season, and the Panthers have no type of answer for RG3.

Pick: Washington

Detroit Lions at Jacksonville Jaguars

Is it just me or does Jacksonville seem to be rebuilding every season?

Pick: Lions

Buffalo Bills at Houston Texans

Houston is looking like one of the most complete teams in the NFL at this point in the season. Mario Williams may take this game to look at his decision to take the money a little differently.

Pick: Texans

Minnesota Vikings at Seattle Seahawks

Seattle is another one of those teams that rely on which team shows up week in and week out. Adrian Peterson has been ankle problems, but late injury reports state that he is expected to play on Sunday. With “All-Day” in the line-up, the tumbling Hawks don’t have a chance.

Pick: Vikes

Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Oakland Raiders

Toss-up game of the week because these teams are both on again and off again. Tampa Bay just seems to be more consistent.

Pick: Bucs

Pittsburgh Steelers New York Giants

Road woes and injuries are continuing to haunt the Steelers, and that is exactly they are dealing with yet again this week. The Giants are finally on a roll, and looking more like their championship team from last year. They also have the inspiration of Hurricane Sandy‘s aftermath to work with.

Pick: Giants

Dallas Cowboys at Atlanta Falcons

Rob Ryan‘s guarantee just isn’t going to happen. I’m sorry, but it isn’t.

Pick: Falcon

Monday Night Football: Philadelphia Eagles at New Orleans Saints

The New Orleans Saints are coming off of a real downer against the Broncos, and one more loss will essentially put them out of the playoffs for this year. Philly is in the middle of a possible quarterback change and Michael Vick wants to stay in charge. What’s more important?

Pick: Saints

Danny Cox knows a little something about the NFL, whether it means letting you know what penalty will come from the flag just thrown on the field or quickly spouting off who the Chicago Bears drafted in the first round of the 1987 draft (Jim Harbaugh). He plans on bringing you the best news, previews, recaps, and anything else that may come along with the exciting world of the National Football League. His work can be found on Examiner.com.