The Philadelphia Eagles are on the verge of achieving certainty in the unpredictable world of the NFL, thanks to a play known as “The Brotherly Shove.” This play, also referred to as “The Tush Push,” has gained significant attention and is now considered the most talked about play in the league. As the playoffs commence and the Eagles face challenges, many are wondering if this unstoppable play can push them to victory against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Monday. Here is everything you need to know about this game-changing play.
The Eagles have their own play called the “Tush Push,” which they use in situations where they need to gain a short distance for a first down. In this play, quarterback Jalen Hurts takes the ball and moves forward while his teammates push in the same direction to help him cross the first-down line.
Brian Baldinger, a former NFL offensive lineman and current analyst, explains that the worst thing in football is knowing what’s coming and being unable to stop it. According to The Athletic, the Philadelphia Eagles had a success rate of over 90% last season when running a play called the “Tush Push,” and this year’s success rate remains just as high. Baldinger refers to this play as a “deflater” because it dominates the field, with star quarterback Hurts scoring a record-breaking 15 rushing touchdowns, 11 of which came from the “Tush Push.” Baldinger emphasizes that in a league where games can be decided by a single yard, the Eagles’ ability to execute this play has led to their success in winning games.
Baldinger, a former NFL player who competed for the Colts, Cowboys, and Eagles, believes that the Philadelphia Eagles have a strong commitment and belief in their unique play, known as the “Brotherly Shove,” which they are prepared to use in any situation on the field.
According to Brooks Kubena, a writer for The Athletic covering the Eagles, they have utilized this play in multiple different scenarios, including fourth-down conversions, third-down conversions, and even on their own goal line to prevent a safety. In each instance, the play has been successful.
Kubena states that when watching the play unfold, there is a sense of inevitability that the defense will struggle to stop it. Despite defenses wanting to quickly get off the field, the Eagles’ ability to consistently convert with this play puts tremendous pressure on opposing teams to try and halt its progress, which can be a challenging task.
Kubena explains that Shane Steichen, former Eagles offensive coordinator, discovered a strategy called the “Tush Push” that perfectly suited the Eagles players. Head coach Sirianni and new offensive coordinator Brian Johnson have also embraced this approach. According to Kubena, the Eagles’ success with the “Tush Push” is due to their strong offensive line, talented running backs, and a quarterback with impressive strength (capable of squatting 600 pounds). With players like Jason Kelce, Lane Johnson, and Jordan Mailata on their offensive line, the Eagles possess one of the best in the league, which helps protect their extremely athletic quarterback.
Seeking outside advice to gain an additional edge in sports, Philadelphia turned to an unlikely source – “the Scottish guy.” Richie Gray, who has extensive experience in professional sports, was brought in to provide insights on tackling techniques from rugby. However, he was later asked by offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland for advice on countering the “Tush Push.” Gray responded that there was no stopping it as it was an organized mass. He attributes the success of the “Brotherly Shove” to the personnel involved and the Eagles’ superior training. Gray emphasizes that the key to this play is that action always trumps reaction, giving the Eagles’ dominant offensive line an advantage.
Kubena acknowledges that the added complexities of the play have made it more challenging to defend against. Philadelphia now has multiple versions of the push play. On December 31, Hurts pitched the ball to Gainwell who then threw it downfield to DeVonta Smith for a successful play against the Arizona Cardinals. Another impressive outcome occurred on October 29 when D’Andre Swift scored a touchdown after executing the play against the Washington Commanders. Baldinger points out that the Eagles have different variations of the play, so defenders cannot solely focus on defending against the shove. Gray describes football as a fast-paced game of strategic maneuvering, and with this play, the Eagles have demonstrated their mastery of the game.
While the “Brotherly Shove” play is adored by Philadelphia fans, it faces criticism from some circles within the NFL. One common critique is that it resembles rugby, but Gray, who currently coaches at a French rugby club, vehemently disagrees. According to him, the play is completely different from anything seen in rugby. Gray, Baldinger, and Kubena argue that although all teams can attempt the “Tush Push” play, it is unfair to criticize the Eagles simply because they execute it better. Eagles head coach Sirianni echoes this sentiment, stating that the team’s execution sets them apart. NFL executive Troy Vincent dismisses reports of the league trying to eliminate the play, emphasizing that it’s not right to penalize someone for excelling. With players like Tyreek Hill and Nick Bosa publicly defending the play, and support from NFL executives, it seems likely that the “Brotherly Shove” play will remain in the game. The question now is whether it will be enough to help the Eagles defeat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and ignite their postseason run.
Leave a Reply