On Thursday, Kansas City’s Chris Jones and Charles Omenihu delved into the intricacies of the play frequently executed by the Philadelphia Eagles, known as the ‘tush push,’ ahead of their Week 11 clash, reminiscent of the Super Bowl showdown in February.
Defensive lineman Chris Jones expressed the challenge of stopping the Eagles, stating, “They haven’t been stopped all year,” except for one instance against Washington, where the play resulted in a fumble. Jones acknowledged the need to devise a solution, saying, “We’ve just got to go figure something out.”
.@JalenHurts with the QB sneak!@Eagles on the board first! #FlyEaglesFly
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The ‘tush push,’ a short-yardage play, proved highly successful for the Eagles during last year’s championship game, with a flawless record of six attempts yielding four first downs and two touchdowns.
Safety Justin Reid praised the Eagles’ proficiency, emphasizing the effectiveness of their personnel, including the formidable offensive line and quarterback Jalen Hurts.
BROTHERLY SWEEP 😏 pic.twitter.com/VwiE9hNsVn
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) October 29, 2023
Charles Omenihu, who encountered the play in the NFC Championship with the San Francisco 49ers, anticipated challenges in stopping the Eagles in short-yardage situations, attributing their success to the size of their offensive linemen and the strength of quarterback Jalen Hurts.
Veteran safety Justin Reid proposed a preemptive approach, suggesting that preventing the Eagles from entering short-yardage situations in the first place would be advantageous.
Reid also highlighted the Eagles’ strategic additions and counters to the play, emphasizing the importance of covering all defensive bases.
Left guard Trey Smith underscored the impact of Philadelphia’s personnel, particularly the interior three players and Hurts’ impressive squatting ability of 600 pounds.
Smith recognized the play’s effectiveness, describing it as challenging to stop due to the relentless force generated by the Eagles.
Despite the play’s effectiveness, Trey Smith dismissed calls for it to be deemed illegal, emphasizing its legality until opponents find a way to counter it.
Smith, however, hasn’t suggested incorporating a similar play into the Chiefs’ playbook, finding enjoyment in watching it unfold.
In preparation for Monday’s Eagles game, the Chiefs are strategizing to decode and counter the formidable ‘tush push’ play that has proven to be a key asset for the Philadelphia Eagles.