NEW ORLEANS — Line up, push and pray.
With regards to stopping the Philadelphia Eagles’ punishing quarterback sneak — dubbed “the tush push” for the distinctive manner gamers line up behind quarterback Jalen Hurts to push him ahead — the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs acknowledge they’re undecided if they’ve the solutions coming into Tremendous Bowl LIX on Sunday.
“It simply comes all the way down to sheer will,” Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo stated. “They’ve discovered a approach to out-will individuals on that specific play.”
It resembles a rugby-like scrum when Hurts goes below middle and teammates place themselves behind both hip. Lunging ahead in a mass of humanity that might attain greater than 3,000 kilos, the Eagles have dominated short-yardage conditions and goal-line alternatives since they debuted the play in 2022 behind then-center Jason Kelce.
Even with Kelce retired, the Eagles have discovered success following Hurts and new middle Cam Jurgens. Hurts, who famously squatted 600 kilos whereas at Alabama, led all NFL quarterbacks with 14 speeding touchdowns in the course of the common season. He has 4 speeding touchdowns within the postseason.
The Eagles rushed 10 instances on fourth-and-one in the course of the common season and transformed on 90% of the makes an attempt.
To Spagnuolo, the best way to defend the notorious sneak is to not defend it in any respect.
“One of the best one I bought is don’t allow them to get into third- and fourth-and one,” the four-time Tremendous Bowl successful coach stated.
If there’s any defensive entrance that might cease the play, the Chiefs are maybe essentially the most suited. Lineman Chris Jones, the Chiefs’ anchor within the center, earned his third consecutive first-team All-Professional honor with 5 sacks, 9 tackles for misplaced yardage and 20 quarterback hits.
They stopped 6-foot-5, 240-pound Payments quarterback Josh Allen 3 times on 5 quarterback sneak makes an attempt in the course of the AFC championship recreation. The Chiefs ranked eighth within the NFL in the course of the common season, permitting 101.8 yards speeding per recreation. Their 4.1 yards allowed per carry was tied for fourth-best within the league.
Copycats have tried related variations of the sneak, as an illustration the bigger Allen lining up and getting a push on his makes an attempt. The Baltimore Ravens have run a variation with tight finish Mark Andrews because the ball provider.
It’s completely different towards the Eagles, who’ve a large offensive line bookended by 6-foot-8, 365-pound left sort out Jordan Mailata and 6-6, 325-pound proper sort out Lane Johnson. The play has been so efficient that some have known as for banning the distinctive formation.
“We’re profitable at it due to the blokes we have now up entrance,” Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni instructed reporters on the group resort Thursday.
The NFL has evaluated the play, amending it earlier than this season. Gamers lined up behind the quarterback should be a minimum of one yard behind the teammate receiving the snap.
To Jones, the modifications shouldn’t cease there.
“They should make the sport even for us,” Jones stated sarcastically. “Yeah, ban the play.”