American Football
The most unstoppable play in the NFL
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Any time the Philadelphia Eagles find themselves on a fourth down and needing a yard to move the chains, quarterback Jalen Hurts will tuck the ball tight before being shoved the required distance.
It’s not pretty, nor is it especially sophisticated, but the “Tush Push” is incredibly effective.
During the 2022 season, the Eagles were successful with 25 out of 27 Tush Push attempts. That’s a conversion rate of 93 per cent. By way of comparison, that made Philadelphia more reliable on fourth-and-short than NBA shooting king Steph Curry is from the free throw line (91 per cent).
"Every first down is first-and-9," Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni said in October 2023. "We have a lot of faith in that play."
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When the Eagles and the Chiefs met at Super Bowl LVII two years ago, Kansas City found the Tush Push to be quite literally unstoppable. Philadelphia tried the play on six occasions and gained a first down every time.
So why are the Eagles so successful with the Tush Push – or the “Brotherly Shove” as they prefer it to be called – and why can’t other teams replicate their efficiency with it?
There are a couple of factors unique to the Eagles that make them so proficient with their trademark QB sneak.
First is their offensive line. The Eagles have the best centre-guard-tackle combo in the NFL. They have fine-tuned and precision-timed their ability to snap the ball while instantaneously driving low and forward with immense force to a level others cannot match.
Secondly, it also helps to have a quarterback who can squat 600lbs. And, since Saquon Barkley’s arrival this season, a running back pushing from behind who can do the same. Hurts and Barkley are among the most powerful and athletic players in the world in their respective positions.
The effectiveness of the Tush Push has fallen slightly since the Eagles and the Chiefs last faced off for the Vince Lombardi Trophy, however.
Perhaps owing to the retirement of six-time All-Pro centre Jason Kelce at the end of last year, the Tush Push was successful at a rate of 82.4 per cent in the 2024 regular season.
So not quite as reliable as Steph Curry from the free throw line, but still about as good as Michael Jordan. Not bad.
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