The Philadelphia Eagles are once again proving themselves to be a dominant force in the NFL, extending their winning streak to seven games with a 37-20 victory over the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday Night Football. The team is firing on all cylinders, and running back Saquon Barkley has put forth a strong case for MVP consideration, joining quarterback Jalen Hurts in the conversation.
The Eagles have also continued their mastery of the infamous “Tush Push”—a short-yardage play that has become a signature move for them, demoralizing defenses across the league and still earning separate attention from sideline reporters. In many ways, it feels like a throwback to their stellar 2022 season.
NBC’s Melissa Stark added an entertaining twist to the Tush Push discussion during Sunday night’s broadcast.
During the game, Mike Tirico handed off to Stark for some additional context on just how confident the Eagles are in executing the play. Stark recalled that last season, Eagles center Jason Kelce—who is now doubling as a late-night host—told her that the offense could successfully run the Tush Push with her at quarterback, noting that everyone just needed to know how to push effectively.
Stark mentioned that she brought up this comment with Eagles offensive lineman Jordan Mailata during the past week, and he wholeheartedly agreed.
As she finished recounting this story, Stark turned the tables by asking Mike Tirico and Cris Collinsworth what they thought of her hypothetical role in executing the Tush Push.
As the production crew displayed an amusing visual—a picture of Stark standing next to Jalen Hurts, showcasing their significant size difference—Stark playfully sought the broadcasters’ opinions on whether she could get the job done.
However, Collinsworth decided to stay out of the playful banter, opting for a nonchalant response. Instead of engaging with Stark’s question, he simply deadpanned, “Second and 10,” and left it at that. The abrupt shift in tone left a bit of awkward silence, prompting Tirico to step in and add some levity to the moment.
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Tirico jumped in to make things less awkward, expressing confidence in Stark’s potential to pull off the Tush Push if given the chance. He remarked that with the power of the Eagles’ offensive line and a shove from behind, Stark would likely have no problem gaining the necessary two yards on a third-and-one scenario.
Unfortunately, as Tirico humorously noted, draconian NFL rules—such as the fact that Stark is not actually on the team roster—mean that her chance to lead a Tush Push remains purely a fun thought experiment.
The exchange provided a light-hearted moment in an otherwise intense game, showcasing the unique chemistry that exists between the broadcast team and sideline reporters.
As for the Eagles, their continued success with the Tush Push remains a testament to the effectiveness of their offensive line and their creativity in short-yardage situations.
Though Stark may never get her shot at being under center for the Eagles, the play will undoubtedly continue to be a staple of Philadelphia’s offensive arsenal, as they pursue another deep postseason run in hopes of making history once again.
