The Philadelphia Eagles are heading into one of the most challenging games of their season on Monday Night Football. Playing in Lambeau Field against the Green Bay Packers is a tough test and one that could have playoff seeding implications. The Eagles come into the game off their bye week, while the Packers come off a disappointing home loss to the Carolina Panthers.
It will be interesting to see how the Eagles’ offense approaches the Packers’ defense. We have witnessed Philadelphia open up its playbook in recent weeks and throw the ball often. However, in harsh conditions and facing an intense pass rush, it may be beneficial to run the ball. One play you can be sure we will see is the famous “tush push,” which has been scrutinized throughout the league.
One NFL legend believes the play should be allowed, and Philadelphia has demonstrated a good grasp of it.
Peyton Manning Is on the Philadelphia Eagles’ Side
Despite many teams around the league thinking the “tush push” should be banned, Manning is “on the Eagles’ side” and believes the play should be allowed. The Eagles have perfected the “tush push,” which gives them an almost guaranteed first down when they need one yard or less.
According to the Inquirer, Manning said, “They have perfected it. I can promise you that there’s other teams that are trying, that have tried to do it in practice, and maybe just can’t quite get it right.”
According to PFSN’s Offense Impact, the Eagles have an Offense Impact Score of 79.1 this season, which ranks 12th in the NFL. You can bet their ability to convert short yardage is a reason for their success.
NFL fans have seen other teams try a version of the “tush push” and have it fail. The Eagles having the best offensive line in football certainly makes things easier for them. But the quarterback and two other players pushing him are too much weight for a defense to stop in short yardage.
Manning continued, “Other teams, it’s a copycat league, and if you can copycat it, you will. If you can’t, then you probably complain that it’s not fair. So I’m on the Eagles’ side of it. I think it’s their niche, and it works, and they make it happen.”
Likely the Final Season of the Tush Push
One of the significant issues with “tush push” this season has been the referee’s inability to officiate the play correctly. There have been multiple occasions when an Eagles offensive lineman has false-started, and nothing has been called. The play is hard enough to stop that the Eagles do not need an illegal advantage.
Former NFL referee Dean Blandino said earlier in the season that he was “done with the tush push.” This past offseason, the play was close to being banned but fell two votes shy. If it comes up again next offseason, there’s a good chance the vote will pass and the play will be removed.