The ‘tush push’ by the Philadelphia Eagles is quickly becoming the most lethal play in the NFL.
FLORIDA’S TAMPA (AP) — The NFL’s most unstoppable play was on full display Monday night under the spotlights.
When the Philadelphia Eagles need a yard, they frequently use the “tush push.”
Jalen Hurts, the quarterback, is positioned behind center with two or three other guys. Hurts receives a strong push from behind as the offensive line rushes forward after he takes the snap.
It nearly always succeeds. The Eagles continue to do it even when it doesn’t.
Hurts was stopped short of the end zone in the third quarter of Monday night’s 25-11 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. On fourth down, Philadelphia decided to go for it. Hurts received a shove from behind by tight end Dallas Goedert, running back D’Andre Swift, and wide receiver A.J. Brown, crossing the goal line for a touchdown that increased the score to 20-3.
The Eagles extended a drive that consumed the final 9:22 of the third quarter against the Buccaneers by doing it successfully for the fourth time.
Philadelphia went 37 for 41 with the “tush push” last year on the way to the Super Bowl, having great success. Because they can’t defeat it, opponents despise it. The NFL’s competition committee discussed perhaps outlawing the play after numerous complaints from other coaches, but they were unable to draft a regulation to submit to a vote.
This year, the Eagles are free to do it as frequently as they like. Since 2005, when the NFL repealed the section of the rulebook that forbade shoving offensive players, the play has been permissible. However, no team has used it as effectively as the Eagles, led by Hurts and coach Nick Sirianni.
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A 600-pound-squatting quarterback and a strong offensive line with All-Pro center Jason Kelce, All-Pro left guard Landon Dickerson, and All-Pro right tackle Lane Johnson are both advantages.
“Obviously, it’s a play that we’ve had a lot of success with over the last few years, and it’s just a physical play,” Goedert said. “Jalen does a terrific job identifying the zone’s weak point. Today, they attempted to jump over the pile, but I was prepared in the back. Jalen will fight for it if we need a yard, which we will get with the help of our O-line.
Goedert attempted to lift Hurts in during the sneak that led to a touchdown by wrapping his arm around Hurts.
I was definitely yanking him, Goedert admitted. Despite what they claim, I was behind him.
In an effort to stop Hurts, the Buccaneers tried a different tactic by having defensive linemen leap over the offensive line.
Goedert noted that their nose tackle was attempting to hop over as well. “We’ve seen it with linebackers,” he added. If they jump, we will undoubtedly go forward because it is one of those things where once they get their feet off the ground, it is better for us. It’s a hazardous move on their part. They ought to get Troy Polamalu, a Steelers Hall of Famer, to timing it just so, in my opinion. They only had that option.
Dickerson summarized the secret of achievement.
He said, “Complete your assignment.”
Other clubs have attempted it in a league of imitation. In Week 1, the Colts, Jaguars, and Bears all failed to succeed. Nobody can equal Philadelphia’s frequency and success rate.
Not everyone has Cam Jurgens, Landon Dickerson, or Jason Kelce. Jordan Mailata is not a common condition. Some people do not have Lane Johnson on their side. That kind of quarterback is not available to everyone, Sirianni noted last week. “When individuals may have been making some big fuss about it last year, we recognized that. There are numerous people who fail. But it’s evident that our players have a talent for it because it’s not as — perhaps it’s automatic right now for the Philadelphia Eagles — but it’s not universally true in the NFL.
“I understand why some people are moaning, but please stop. The play must end. Contrary to popular belief, it is not as automatic as we can see in the NFL. I guess our players make it work. In all honesty, we are doing nothing as coaches. The players are going out there and carrying out the play that we have called. However, it’s about those guys up front. We did a lot of research on everything during the offseason to assist us become even better at it. It concerns Jalen. I believe we could succeed without the push, but occasionally we need to give them that extra thump.
In order to possibly give defenders something else to think about, the Eagles even attempted to fake a “tush push” in the third quarter. Hurts began to retreat, but he faltered and was tackled for a loss.
I don’t think it can be stopped after two consecutive plays. Coach of the Buccaneers Todd Bowles remarked, “I believe we had one or two here and there. That much weight is on both sides. They got a fantastic play. They designed it. Great work is done by the offensive line coach. It will be difficult because they have a large, athletic quarterback and you have a pushback. But we were aware of it beforehand.
