Chiefs’ Plan to Stop Tush Push
The Philadelphia Eagles’ infamous “Tush Push”or as they prefer to call it, the “Brotherly Shove”has become the most polarizing play in the NFL. With a near-perfect success rate on short-yardage sneaks, the play has frustrated defenders, baffled coaches, and seemingly defied physics. But in the relentless chess match that is the NFL, there’s always a countermeasure being developed. And if any team is uniquely suited to crack the code, it’s the defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs. With another potential Super Bowl showdown between these two juggernauts on the horizon, Andy Reid and his staff are already cooking up ways to neutralize the league’s most unstoppable play.
Why the Tush Push is So Hard to Stop
At first glance, the Tush Push seems like a run-of-the-mill quarterback sneakbut it’s anything but. Anchored by the Eagles’ All-Pro center Jason Kelce and fortified by one of the strongest offensive lines in football, Jalen Hurts executes the play with machine-like efficiency. What makes it so effective?
It’s not just efficientit’s demoralizing. Teams know what’s coming, and yet they still can’t stop it.
The Chiefs’ Playbook for Stopping It
Kansas City, however, isn’t just another team banging its head against the wall. They’ve got a plan. 1. Stuff the Middle with Size and Strength
Defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo knows conventional defensive alignments won’t cut it. The Chiefs will likely deploy their heaviest defensive personnel, stacking the A-gaps with their bulkiest interior linemenguys like Chris Jonesforcing the Eagles to fight through a reinforced wall. The goal? Prevent the initial push from developing. 2. Attack from the Side
Most teams have been trying to meet the Tush Push head-onand failing. The Chiefs may try to adjust by attacking from the edges, specifically aiming for Hurts’ legs to disrupt his balance before he can get momentum. If they can keep him from fully extending forward, it could be enough to stall the drive. 3. Utilize Pre-Snap Chaos
Spagnuolo is known for his creativity, and don’t be surprised if the Chiefs throw in some last-second shifting on the defensive line. Sudden movement could cause hesitation in the Eagles’ blocking scheme, which is largely based on timing and rhythm. 4. The Unexpected CounterLet Them Score?
This one’s a stretch, but some teams have quietly considered whether it’s even worth fighting the inevitable. If it’s early in the game, there’s a school of thought that suggests letting Hurts sneak through rather than risk injuries or unnecessary wear on the defensive front. Sound crazy? Maybebut so is trying the same failed methods repeatedly.
Is the NFL Ready to Phase Out the Tush Push?
Beyond game plans, there’s also an ongoing debate about whether the NFL itself should intervene. Some argue the play gives an unfair advantage to offenses and goes against the spirit of the game. Others maintain that if teams can’t stop it, they need to adapt instead of looking to the rulebook for help. Kansas City, for now, is opting for the latterscheming and strategizing to be the first team to put a legitimate dent in the Eagles’ secret weapon.
The Super Bowl Implications
While nothing is guaranteed in the NFL, the Chiefs and Eagles remain two of the league’s premier franchises, putting them on a collision course for another possible Super Bowl rematch. If these two teams meet again on the sport’s biggest stage, the battle at the line of scrimmage will be just as important as the star-studded showdown between Patrick Mahomes and Jalen Hurts. Stopping the Tush Push won’t be easybut then again, neither is winning back-to-back Super Bowls. The Chiefs know a thing or two about that.
