The Philadelphia Eagles’ super-powered sneak (often called the ‘tush push’) might be the most unstoppable play in pro football
On Christmas Day, the Eagles’ Jalen Hurts set an NFL record for the most rushing touchdowns in a season by a quarterback. He racked up his 15th touchdown on the ground against their division rivals, the New York Giants, to secure the record. And, he did it with his teammates behind him all the way – both figuratively and literally.
It Starts With Hurts In The Huddle
As the Eagles’ leader in the huddle, Hurts has made a strong case to be named the league’s Most Valuable Player in 2023. Game in and game out, he’s a highlight waiting to happen, and he anchors the offense of a legitimate Super Bowl contender.
Despite a few setbacks in recent weeks, Philadelphia (11-4) still sits atop the NFC East, and a lot of that has to do with their star QB. Hurts has thrown for 3,636 yards, 20 TDs, and 13 interceptions this year.
Those numbers are ample enough for an NFL starter, but it’s what he adds in the rushing game that makes him truly special. Following the win over the Giants (now 5-10 on the year), Hurts has rushed for an additional 579 yards and 15 trips to the end zone. Those 35 total TDs are the second-most in the NFL right now.
‘Backing’ Their Way Into Success
Many of those rushing scores have come just as the record-breaker did: On a short-yardage, quarterback sneak. It’s essentially the most basic play in tackle football, but the Eagles add a twist (and an assist to it). When Hurts lunges forward there are always at least one or two pairs of powerful hands pushing on his butt to give him extra power through the line of scrimmage.
It’s a simple strategy that NFL commentators have nicknamed the ‘tush push’. However, since the Eagles play in Philly – known as the City of Brotherly Love – the locals refer to this play as ‘The Brotherly Shove‘.
While the nickname may be clever the move is just subtle science. Motion plus force equals first downs and scores. That perfect patootie push may be what drives the Eagles back to the Super Bowl.
The Numbers Back It Up
Philadelphia had 22 fourth-down conversions in 2022 – at a 68.8% success rate. This season, they have converted 72.7% of those scenarios. And many of them come via Hurts’ haunches and The Brotherly Shove.
By comparison, the rest of the NFL averages a little over 50% on the same types of plays.
The combination of an excellent offensive line – anchored by Jason Kelce – and Hurts backfield trickery make the play even more effective. You never know if you are going to get a fake and a fade or the full force of their superb sneak.
Rivals Push Back Against The Brotherly Shove
More often than not, it’s the 235-pound frame of Hurts guiding the way, with a couple of strongmen on his stern, giving him an extra nudge. On fourth-and-short, the Eagles offense seems to follow the philosophy of hip-hop icon Ice Cube – who famously flowed, “Put your ass into it.”
The Brotherly Shove has become so successful that some teams around the NFL have complained that it could be considered an illegal play. For example, special teams players cannot use a teammate (or their body) to gain an advantage in blocking field goals.
The tush push could be interpreted in much the same way. But so far, commissioner Roger Goodell hasn’t stepped in and burned the Eagles’ backsides over it yet.
If the Eagles make it to the Super Bowl in Las Vegas this year, a large part of that run will be because of a very easy formula that has gotten huge results. The fact that it’s a bunch of guys grabbing a handful of buttocks and leaning forward? Well, that just makes The Brotherly Shove that much funnier.
But make no mistake, the Eagles are more than willing to ride their quarterback’s ass all the way to Vegas if it means getting a chance to get their hands all over the Lombardi Trophy. With three games left to play, Hurts is going to keep adding to his touchdown total, and he’ll be primed for some more pushes come playoff time.
While you can’t ass-ume anything, it’s generally believed that the Eagles are the favorites to return to the Super Bowl. And this time – if they win it all? They will have made the entire NFL the butt of their joke.
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