Frustrated Philadelphia Eagles push back against criticism as they gear up for playoff rematch against Los Angeles Rams regarding their aggressive offensive strategy
The Los Angeles Rams, fresh off an impressive 18-1 run and a dominant performance in their last 19 games, are gearing up for a playoff rematch against the Philadelphia Eagles. This time around, the spotlight will not only be on the Eagles' stellar offense but also on a unique play, the 'Tush Push'.
Developed and perfected by the Eagles' coaching staff since the 2022 season, the Tush Push has become a strategic part of their offense. The play, a rugby-style scrum that some teams criticize as unstoppable, has been a source of controversy in the NFL.
Young cornerbacks Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean will face pressure from the Rams' formidable duo of Puka Nacua and Davante Adams, who have combined for 28 catches, 378 yards, and a touchdown in their first two games with the team.
Meanwhile, Jalen Hurts, the Eagles' quarterback, has been relying less on long passes this season. He has only attempted three passes of 20-plus yards, resulting in 253 yards passing and no touchdowns. However, the Tush Push has been a different story. The Eagles have used it frequently, with Hurts scoring a touchdown on it and using it seven times against the Kansas City Chiefs.
In last season's playoffs, the Eagles' rushing attack was led by Saquon Barkley, who had touchdown runs of 78 and 62 yards against the Rams, finishing with 205 yards rushing in a 28-22 win. This season, Barkley has struggled, managing only 148 yards rushing over the first two games, coming off a 2,000-yard rushing season.
The Rams, playing their second straight week with a long flight East and a 10 a.m. PDT kickoff, will be looking to contain the Eagles' rushing attack and find a way to stop the Tush Push. Last season, they threw for 324 yards and two touchdowns against the Eagles, with Matthew Stafford as the quarterback.
Retired Eagles center Jason Kelce has expressed concern that the Tush Push is starting to push the edge of fair play due to offensive linemen moving early. This concern has been shared by NFL personalities, including Fox rules analyst Dean Blandino and Hall of Fame coach Bill Cowher, who called it a 'scrum' and not a football play.
Despite the criticism, the Eagles are pushing back against it. The Tush Push has been effective, with the team converting 96.6% of the time when running it in fourth-and-1 situations and attempting it 116 times overall since 2022. Defenses have struggled to stop it, as evidenced by the Washington Commanders jumping offside four times in a sequence of five plays while trying to stop it in the NFC championship game last season.
As the Eagles and Rams prepare for their rematch, the Tush Push will undoubtedly be a key factor in the game. Whether it's the Eagles' strategy to wear down the Rams' defense or the Rams' ability to adapt and stop it, the playoff rematch promises to be an exciting contest.
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