Loopholes remain within the bounds of the law if one can successfully exploit them.
The Philadelphia Eagles secured yet another victory on Sunday, thanks in part to their nearly unstoppable quarterback sneak. After the game, head coach Nick Sirianni had a stern message for the NFL regarding the play.
The Eagles employed the so-called “tush push” maneuver multiple times in their 31-17 win against the Miami Dolphins. This included Jalen Hurts pushing the ball across the goal line from the 1-yard line to give Philadelphia a 17-3 lead late in the first half.
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Sirianni was questioned about the sneak play in his postgame press conference. He emphasized the Eagles’ success with the play, now commonly referred to as the “Brotherly Shove,” and likened every first down for the Eagles to feeling like a 1st-and-9. Sirianni also pointed out that other teams haven’t achieved the same level of success with it and implored the NFL not to outlaw it.
“You’ve seen across the league that people can’t do it like we can do it,” Sirianni said. “They can’t do it like we can do it. So I’m making my plug right there — don’t ban this play. If everybody could do it, everybody would do it.”
Last offseason, some were surprised when the NFL chose not to prohibit the “tush push” play. Many in the league believe the play transforms into a rugby scrum rather than showcasing the athleticism of the players. The NFL and NFL Players Association are planning to reevaluate the situation after the 2023 season.
Sirianni’s argument is valid in that the “tush push” isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution for all teams. The Pittsburgh Steelers attempted it in their win over the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday and seemed to be halted short, but they received a favorable spot call.
The Eagles have simply found a play that works for them, and their opponents find it incredibly challenging to counter. Nevertheless, it’s highly likely that the NFL will consider banning it for the upcoming season.
