The Philadelphia Eagles don’t play until Sunday, but they’re already embroiled in controversy. The Pittsburgh Steelers tried running the Eagles’ signature tush push play, but they were called for a false start and had to kick a field goal instead.
There have been plenty of calls for the refs to flag false starts on the Eagles, but they haven’t quite done it. Now, they called it on the Steelers in Week 7, and fans have made their feelings known on social media.
Fans React to the NFL Officiating on Thursday Night Football
Fans were not happy that the Eagles usually get away with going early on tush push attempts, but other teams haven’t had that same luxury. One fan was upset that they called it on the Steelers.
“NO SHOT the refs just called a false start on the Steelers Tush push but never call it on the Eagles,” said one fan.
NO SHOT the refs just called a false start on the Steelers Tush push but never call it on the Eagles pic.twitter.com/Rh4swu107O
— h8er (@h8erhood) October 17, 2025
Another fan chimed in with a comedic image of how the Eagles might react to other teams’ inability to run the play.
“Eagles watching Steelers get called for false start on Tush Push,” said the fan.
Eagles watching Steelers get called for false start on Tush Push. pic.twitter.com/fWoXQUWKh3
— David Bearman (@DavidBearman) October 17, 2025
The penalty cost the Steelers a fourth-down conversion and a potential touchdown. They had to settle for a field goal instead, extending their lead to 10 points instead of a potential 14-0 lead.
It proved even more costly as the Bengals roared back for two straight touchdowns and took a 14-10 lead. Fans were letting the refs hear it by pointing out their favoritism toward the Eagles on tush push attempts.
“They call false start on every tush push possible except for the Eagles,” said one fan.
They call false start on every tush push possible except for the Eagles
— skete (@dhl1395) October 17, 2025
“I love how your sh*tty refs can call false start on every rush push BUT the Eagles @NFL Absolute frauds,” said another fan.
“Eagles do it every week, yet it doesn’t get called,” added another fan.
The Tush Push was a topic of conversation in the offseason as many teams voted for the play to be banned. However, the play didn’t receive enough votes to be banned and stuck around.
Now, it’s gaining more attention than it ever has as the Eagles have often moved early and instead of them, the other teams that are running the play are sometimes getting called. The future of the tush push will be one to monitor in the offseason for sure.
“If this were the Eagles, they would’ve had the first down,” said one fan.
if this was the eagles they would’ve had the first down
— 🤷🏽♀️ (@mccaffreyformvp) October 17, 2025
The Eagles will now have plenty of eyes on their game on Sunday to see if they run the play and get flagged for a false start like Pittsburgh. For now, the Steelers have to worry about bouncing back from a halftime deficit after the tough penalty and giving up a few scores.