' Tush Push ' play is back! The Philadelphia Eagles didn’t need Jalen Hurts or Saquon Barkley to light up the scoreboard in their preseason opener. Instead, they reminded fans - and the NFL - that the most unstoppable play in football is still very much alive. Against a Cincinnati Bengals squad that rolled out stars like Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase, the defending Super Bowl champions showcased their famed “Tush Push,” punching in an early touchdown and setting the tone for a 34-27 win.
What is the ‘Tush Push’?
The “Tush Push” is a short-yardage power play that blends brute force with perfect coordination. The quarterback takes the snap and is immediately driven forward by teammates - usually a running back and a tight end - who line up behind him. This creates a rugby-like scrum, designed to bulldoze through the defensive front for those crucial one or two yards.
While the NFL has debated banning it for years, the play remains legal, with one recent rule tweak requiring pushers to start at least a yard behind the quarterback. For Philadelphia, it’s more than just a tactic; it’s a weapon of dominance. Jalen Hurts’ leg power, combined with the towering presence of Jordan Mailata, Landon Dickerson, and Cam Jurgens, has made it almost impossible to defend. In 2023, the Eagles converted 39 of 48 attempts - numbers that prove it’s not just a gimmick, but a finely tuned machine.
Without Hurts under center, backup quarterback Tanner McKee stepped up and wasted no time bringing out the play that nearly faced an offseason ban. On fourth-and-goal from the Bengals’ 1-yard line, the Eagles lined up in their now-iconic formation. The snap came, the shove followed, and McKee was nudged into the end zone - a scene the Philly crowd has grown to expect.
“Live reps, we don't do a ton of them,” McKee admitted. “Just getting those types of snaps, technique, coaching points, that's a big thing in what we do.” Beyond that moment, McKee shined, going 20-of-25 for 252 yards and two touchdowns.
Why the Eagles run it better than anyone
The beauty - and controversy - of the “Tush Push” lies in its brute-force simplicity. The quarterback receives the snap and is immediately driven forward by teammates, often in short-yardage or goal-line situations. It’s not flashy, but it’s devastatingly effective.
For Philadelphia, it’s a perfect storm of personnel and execution. Last season, the Eagles converted 39 of 48 attempts, and even when they failed, they often succeeded on the very next try.
Other teams like the Bills, Browns, Cowboys, and Packers have found success with quarterback sneaks, but no one matches the Eagles’ consistency. For opponents, the challenge isn’t just stopping a yard gain - it’s figuring out how to stop a freight train when it’s already moving downhill.
If Thursday night was any indication, it seems like the Eagles will go harder on ‘tush push’ this season and will try to defend the Super Bowl trophy.
Also Read: Shedeur Sanders throws his first touchdown pass and earns three-word priceless reaction
What is the ‘Tush Push’?
The “Tush Push” is a short-yardage power play that blends brute force with perfect coordination. The quarterback takes the snap and is immediately driven forward by teammates - usually a running back and a tight end - who line up behind him. This creates a rugby-like scrum, designed to bulldoze through the defensive front for those crucial one or two yards.
🚨 Preseason Brotherly Shove 🚨
— NFL (@NFL) August 7, 2025
Stream CINvsPHI on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/0Ms1Fos66V
While the NFL has debated banning it for years, the play remains legal, with one recent rule tweak requiring pushers to start at least a yard behind the quarterback. For Philadelphia, it’s more than just a tactic; it’s a weapon of dominance. Jalen Hurts’ leg power, combined with the towering presence of Jordan Mailata, Landon Dickerson, and Cam Jurgens, has made it almost impossible to defend. In 2023, the Eagles converted 39 of 48 attempts - numbers that prove it’s not just a gimmick, but a finely tuned machine.
Without Hurts under center, backup quarterback Tanner McKee stepped up and wasted no time bringing out the play that nearly faced an offseason ban. On fourth-and-goal from the Bengals’ 1-yard line, the Eagles lined up in their now-iconic formation. The snap came, the shove followed, and McKee was nudged into the end zone - a scene the Philly crowd has grown to expect.
“Live reps, we don't do a ton of them,” McKee admitted. “Just getting those types of snaps, technique, coaching points, that's a big thing in what we do.” Beyond that moment, McKee shined, going 20-of-25 for 252 yards and two touchdowns.
Why the Eagles run it better than anyone
The beauty - and controversy - of the “Tush Push” lies in its brute-force simplicity. The quarterback receives the snap and is immediately driven forward by teammates, often in short-yardage or goal-line situations. It’s not flashy, but it’s devastatingly effective.
For Philadelphia, it’s a perfect storm of personnel and execution. Last season, the Eagles converted 39 of 48 attempts, and even when they failed, they often succeeded on the very next try.
Other teams like the Bills, Browns, Cowboys, and Packers have found success with quarterback sneaks, but no one matches the Eagles’ consistency. For opponents, the challenge isn’t just stopping a yard gain - it’s figuring out how to stop a freight train when it’s already moving downhill.
If Thursday night was any indication, it seems like the Eagles will go harder on ‘tush push’ this season and will try to defend the Super Bowl trophy.
Also Read: Shedeur Sanders throws his first touchdown pass and earns three-word priceless reaction
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