NEW ORLEANS — Among the rapidly evolving terminology in the NFL, two particular phrases have emerged that are both celebrated in Philadelphia and loathed by the rest of the league: the “tush push.”
This uniquely effective play, reminiscent of rugby-style scrums, has been exploited exceptionally well by the Philadelphia Eagles under the direction of head coach Nick Sirianni and quarterback Jalen Hurts. Sirianni often quips that every first down effectively becomes a “first-and-9” situation for his team.
One memorable instance illustrating the frustration this play can cause for opponents occurred during the NFC Championship game against the Washington Commanders. In an attempt to thwart the tush push, the Commanders were flagged for offside violations four times within a span of five plays. The referee even warned the team that a fifth infraction could result in an automatic touchdown for the Eagles, in accordance with Rule 12, Section 3, Article 2 of the NFL rulebook, which prohibits repeated fouls intended to prevent scoring.
As expected, Hurts seized the opportunity to score. “It’s a brilliant concept and a tough play to counter,” said Commanders linebacker Bobby Wagner. “If I were in their position, I would utilize it as well.”
The Eagles have demonstrated remarkable success with this play, converting on 28 of 34 attempts this season, as reported by Next Gen Stats. Hurts alone managed to turn 35 of 43 crucial plays on third or fourth downs into successful conversions, alongside significant gains on any rush from the one-yard line.
Despite teams being aware of the tush push and the fervent crowd reactions at Lincoln Financial Field when the Eagles set up their offensive formation, defenses often find themselves unable to stop the inevitable score.
However, the Kansas City Chiefs may have found a way to counteract this strategy. The Chiefs, well-versed in executing impressive comeback wins and overcoming substantial obstacles on their way to a third consecutive Super Bowl, appeared to decrypt a strategy to effectively halt the tush push.
In the AFC Championship game, the Buffalo Bills attempted a modified version of the tush push, converting only twice from six attempts. While the Eagles tend to congregate and push Hurts forward, the Bills’ quarterback, Josh Allen, favored a lateral movement approach in their attempts to secure a first down.
Kansas City’s success against this play was evident, as Allen commented, “They positioned their larger players effectively, and their linebackers were surging forward aggressively. They executed their defense well.”
Would they be able to stop the Eagles if the two teams meet again?
Although Philadelphia fell just short against Kansas City in the Super Bowl two years prior, with Hurts scoring two touchdowns via the tush push in that contest, the Chiefs’ defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo has since crafted a defensive strategy aimed at countering these plays.
“The Eagles have refined this tactic over several years, and their offensive line is exceptionally well-suited for it,” Spagnuolo noted. “They could compete in rugby tournaments with that size and physicality. It’s incredibly challenging to defend.”
Teams that struggle to halt the tush push may start making excuses, as seen when Green Bay president Mark Murphy expressed concern post-elimination from the playoffs, labeling the tush push as detrimental to the integrity of the game. He argued that the play lacks skill and practically guarantees a first down on minimal-yardage situations, describing the Commanders’ offside attempts to disrupt the play as “ridiculous.” Murphy advocated for the league to prohibit any pushing or assistance in rushing situations.
As for the notion of banning the tush push, Sirianni dismissed these critical viewpoints. “Our success isn’t something every team can replicate,” he stated. “We observed last week how Kansas City managed to stop Buffalo’s attempts. I would advocate against any changes to that rule because our success stems from our talented personnel.”
Even with changes in the roster, such as Cam Jurgens stepping in for the retired Jason Kelce at center, the Eagles maintained their impressive efficiency this season. Complementing this is Hurts, whose formidable strength equates to squatting nearly three times the weight of Saquon Barkley, along with a robust offensive line featuring Pro Bowl athletes like Landon Dickerson and Lane Johnson.
Controversial as it may be, there’s a possibility that the Eagles may leverage the tush push to secure another Super Bowl victory.
