Last year, the Eagles had a play that was as unstoppable as any play in the NFL. The Tush Push. In one-yard situations, all the Eagles had to do was line up for a QB Seank, let their O-Line get a push, and Hurts would convert nearly every single time. And to get just that extra bit of help, they also have the RBs line up behind Hurts, and help push his butt over the line. it worked 36 out of 40 times last year. And at least one of those failures was followed up by a successful attempt the very next play.

Eagles fans love it because it works. But fans and media from other teams have cried more about it than anyone has ever cried about anything. There were fewer tears shed in theaters showing Marley and Me than there were last night when the Eagles ran the play at the goal line twice for two TDs. Even Al Michaels got in on the whining, saying the play was ugly.

People say it is unfair, or too easy. But if that is the case, why don’t other teams run it? If it is so simple to the point that it takes ‘zero skill’, why are the Eagles the only team that runs it at this rate and efficiency? The NFL is famous for being a copycat league. If one team does something, and it works, every team follows suit. And yet we don’t see other teams doing it? And when they do, it does not work as well as it does for the Eagles.

Maybe it is because the play does take some skill. Maybe it is because the Eagles have an elite O-Line and a QB that can squat 600 lbs. If every team was doing it and every team had this kind of success, they would have a point. But it is just the Eagles. So it just sounds like sour grapes from other teams and their fans when they cry foul about it. It is a skilled play. O-Line play is a skill. What Hurts does, is a skill. To use a video game term, maybe your teams should just ‘git gud’ and learn how to either stop it or run it yourselves.

And my message to those teams and their fans. Stop crying. get over it. The Tush Push is still legal, and the Eagles will keep running it, and they will keep scoring touchdowns and converting first downs. Unless you cry so much that it floods the field and stops play, your tears accomplish nothing but embarrassing yourself.

Until then, you will see more of this:

And this:

Also this

Enjoy it all, because the Tush Push isn’t going anywhere yet. The Eagles might get 10 more TDs, and 20 more first downs from it this season. Have fun trying to stop it.

6 Numbers To Make Eagles Fans Feel Optimistic After the First 2 Games

• 8

  3rd down was a big issue for the Eagles last week. They were 4-13, and the reason is that they were consistently getting into 3rd and longs. They had just 3 3rd downs of 5 yards or under and converted all 3. But they also had 6 that were for 10 yards or more and converted just one. This week they were consistently ahead of the sticks. 8 of their 3rd or 4th down attempts were for 5 yards or fewer, and they converted 7 of them.  

  Success on first and 2nd down led to success on 3rd down. They were still 1-8 on long 3rd downs. So that part didn’t change. But because they weren’t putting themselves in a hole on first and second down as often, they had more success overall.  

• 6

  We assumed this season the Eagles would have fewer takeaways. Just because it is hard to get 27 takeaways like they did last year. Especially when they lost their biggest player maker, CJ Gardner Johnson. But so far, albeit a small sample size, they are actually ahead of last year’s pace. In two games they have 6 takeaways, 5 of which are forced fumbles. It puts them on pace for 51 takeaways on the season. 

  Will they get that? Probably not. The most any team had last season was 33. But it shows that despite losing their interception leader, this defense can still make plays. And it is coming from a lot of different sources, with Josh Sweat, Josh Jobe, Jordan Davis, Justin Evans, Avonte Maddox, and Terrell Edmunds all forcing fumbles so far, and Darius Slay being the lone Eagle with a pick. 

  Strip sack!! Josh Sweat with the tackle, @fcoxx_91 with the recovery! #MINvsPHI on Prime Video
  Also available on #NFLPlus https://t.co/eMkDgB1MP1 pic.twitter.com/Tupl7ie8Tc

  — NFL (@NFL) September 15, 2023

• 34

  The Eagles got the ball back with 34 seconds left in the first half. Similar to when they got the ball back with 25 seconds last week. Only this time, they tried to score. They went 37 yards down the field to set up a 61-yard Jake Elliott FG. And the fact Elliott can kick a 61-yard field goal is why you try to move the ball. It’s something the Eagles did so many times last year. Get the ball back late in the first, and still score. It was baffling they didn’t even try last week. But it was good to see they are still able to do it. The Eagles’ ability to pick up the pace in these late-game or late first-half situations makes them incredibly dangerous. 

  The 61-yarder by @jake_elliott22 is GOOD! #MINvsPHI on Prime Video
  Also available on #NFLPlus https://t.co/eMkDgB1MP1 pic.twitter.com/dXjX6iyt1y

  — NFL (@NFL) September 15, 2023

• 133

  It is stating the obvious to say that the Eagles ran the ball well last night. 259 total rushing yards. D’Andre Swift deserves most of the credit, getting 175 of those by himself. But Boston Scott also gained 40 yards on 5 carries. The O-Line got back to what it does best, creating huge lanes, and Swift and Scott took full advantage. 133 of Swift’s yards, came before contact. That is how big the holes the O-Line was creating were. And then Swift was playing so well, that he was bouncing out of some tackles to get those extra yards. 

  NFL on ESPN on Twitter: "D'Andre Swift had 133 rushing yards BEFORE contact tonight 🦅 The Eagles O-Line is the real deal 😳 pic.twitter.com/u1jeuCAxij / Twitter"

  D'Andre Swift had 133 rushing yards BEFORE contact tonight 🦅 The Eagles O-Line is the real deal 😳 pic.twitter.com/u1jeuCAxij

  The running game sputtered out a bit in week 1 after a promising first drive, but that is more because they got away from it. When they try though, this team can still run better than anyone. Let the big guys up front maul, and good things are going to happen. 

• 10

  People left week 1 a little bit disappointed in the Eagles D-Line. But they showed up in week 2. Not only did they completely shut down the run, but they were also in Kirk Cousins’ face a ton. They hit him 10 times, on 44 passing attempts. On nearly a 4th of his passes, he was getting hit. Yes, the Vikings’ passing attack was still very effective. But that has more to do with the backups in the secondary being confused about their role in the zone defense. 

  Josh Sweat in particular dominated. 5 of those QB hits came from him, and he was the one who forced the fumble to give the Eagles the ball in their own red zone. Jordan Davis and Jalen Carter also stayed disruptive. There were only 2 sacks. But that does not tell a full story of how well the Eagles D-Line played. 

  Shane Haff on Twitter: "Jordan Davis? On a passing down? Wrecking Kirk Cousins!?!? Oh heck yes!! pic.twitter.com/Fto9X7oKtc / Twitter"

  Jordan Davis? On a passing down? Wrecking Kirk Cousins!?!? Oh heck yes!! pic.twitter.com/Fto9X7oKtc

• 65%

  For the second straight season, the Eagles have started 2-0. And going back over 30 years, teams that start 2-0 have a great chance to make the playoffs. 171 out of 268 teams that have started 2-0 since 1990 made the playoffs (64%). All 6 teams who started 6-0 last season went on to make the playoffs. Obviously, the goal is to not just make the playoffs, but 13 of the last 20 Super Bowl winners started 2-0 as well (65%). The Eagles are right on track to get where they want to be.  

Sign me up for the 97.5 The Fanatic email newsletter!

Become a Fanatic MVP to get the latest info on the Philly Sports landscape, plus access to exclusive content and member-only contests.

First Name *

Last Name

Email *

Subscribe

By clicking "Subscribe" I agree to the website's terms of Service and Privacy Policy. I understand I can unsubscribe at any time.