Second- guessing not just for Childress

No Vikings game Sunday allowed for some NFL channel surfing and some (hopefully) less emotionally attached football viewing. It also was confirmation that -- sorry bashers -- Brad Childress is by far not the worst offender in the league when it comes to head coaches making questionable strategic decisions.

The Giants' Tom Coughlin (playing it safe for a field goal) and the Dolphins' Tony Sparano (punting late while his team was down by 7) made decisions that helped facilitate their teams' losses. And then there's Andy Reid.

Listen: We understand that these coaches are making decisions in real-time without the benefit of smarty-pants Monday Morning Quarterbacking. But Reid's move was being second-guessed as it happened by NBC's Cris Collinsworth, by a nation of football lovers on Twitter and by Your Humble Page 2 Correspondent.

With about 4:30 left and the Eagles trailing the Cowboys 20-13, Philly was facing a fourth-and-11 from the Dallas 34. That's a pretty deep distance to gain, but it's kind of no-man's land in terms of the spot on the field. Keep in mind, too, the Eagles had no timeouts left -- meaning one Dallas first down comes close to icing it and two first downs likely means the game is over. Let's play risk-reward.

• Going for it means: A conversion gives the Eagles a first down deep in Dallas territory, putting them in excellent position to keep moving for a game-tying TD. Not making it, assuming there is no more lost yardage, puts Dallas at the 34 -- decent field position but a spot on the field where, if you can force a three-and-out, you can get the ball back at your own 20 or 25 with more than two minutes to play (more than enough time to go the length of the field for a tying score, as Philip Rivers proved against Tom Coughlin).

• A punt means: no shot at a conversion, but it could also pin Dallas deep. It's risky because there are no timeouts left and you're counting on your defense to definitely get a quick stop, but if the punt goes to the 10 and you get that quick stop, you're going to get the ball back in very good field position for a potential tying TD drive.

• A made field goal means: you are still down by four points and still need a touchdown. True, a TD in that case would win the game instead of tie, but first you have to give the ball back to Dallas. And keep in mind this is a 52-yard field goal. No gimme. A miss gives Dallas the ball at the 42, its best possible field position, and you're still down 7 without having taken a shot at a first down.

Reid opted for a field goal. David Akers made it. Philly kicked off deep. Dallas got the ball back, gained two first downs and Philly never saw the ball again in a must-win game. The only winners are Dallas fans and those who have Akers in fantasy football. The losers are those who like to see good decisions made.

MICHAEL RAND