Why is the 'Brotherly Shove' so unstoppable for the Philadelphia Eagles?
The Philadelphia Eagles turned to their super play, the "Brotherly Shove," numerous times in their 34-17 win over the Miami Dolphins on Sunday night. The play that was 93% effective last season produced a Jalen Hurts rushing touchdown and two fourth-down conversions in the fourth quarter.
The fact that the Eagles called a timeout on 4th-and-one in their own territory to call the "tush-push" shows how confident they are in the play,
There was just nothing Miami could do on the second-to-last Eagles drive. Kenneth Gainwell capped off the six-and-a-half minute possession with a 3-yard touchdown run for a 31-17 lead with 4:46 remaining.
When the Eagles get to fourth-and-short, there are collective sighs, because almost everyone knows what is coming next.
On Hurts' 1-yard touchdown Sunday night, receiver A.J. Brown pushed the quarterback. Meanwhile, the O-line shoved forward, and Hurts easily got his 32nd career rushing touchdown.
Two touchdowns directly off the back of the "Brotherly Shove" in the Super Bowl led many to wonder if the NFL would outlaw the play. It's potentially dangerous for Jalen Hurts to end up at the bottom of a pile with several 200- or 300-pound players on top of him. Teams like the Jaguars, Colts and Giants have tried the shove, but their attempts are lacking compared to the Eagles' masterpiece.
This is easily the strongest play in football right now.
Jason Kelce loves the "Brotherly Shove" more than anyone
When asked about the "Brotherly Shove" a couple of weeks ago, Eagles center Jason Kelce took pride in it:
“We’re really successful at it, So obviously, teams are doing everything they can to try and stop it and replicate it. It’s a sign that we’re doing something right when people are complaining about it.”
Shane Steichen, Philadelphia's offensive coordinator who became the Indianapolis Colts' head coach in the offseason, tried to incorporate the "Brotherly Shove" with Anthony Richardson when he was healthy. But it just did not intimate defenses. Richardson is a way bigger and stronger quarterback than Jalen Hurts, yet it's Hurts who manages to jump the empty holes for first downs and touchdowns.
Hurts' total of 32 rushing touchdowns is almost enough to qualify the quarterback as a top 10 QB in terms of career rushing touchdowns. His 13 rushing touchdowns last year might be bettered in 2023 as the Eagles QB already has six this season.
The Chiefs managed to stop the Eagles in the Super Bowl 38-35 despite falling prey to the "tush-push," but you have to find ways to keep the Eagles (6-1) off the field and force long downs to beat them.