The Philadelphia Eagles’ tush push is one of the more infamous plays in the NFL in recent years. Quarterback Jalen Hurts lines up under center in a tight formation and powers ahead with some help behind him to get short-yardage conversions.
For the first time this year, it backfired in a big way against the Chicago Bears.
Philadelphia was driving down the field after an interception by Caleb Williams, and was in the red zone once again. Hurts lined up for a tush push from the Bears’ 12-yard line on 3rd and 1.
With Hurts stuck behind his offensive line, Bears cornerback Nahshon Wright capitalized and knocked the ball out of Hurts’ hands and recovered the fumble.
It’s not the first time a defense has tried this technique to neutralize the tush push. New York Giants linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux attempted the same thing back in Week 8 but was unsuccessful; the side judge in that contest ruled that Hurts’ forward progress stopped and the play was dead before Hurts lost the ball.
This is the first time Hurts has fumbled on the tush push this season. It marked his second turnover of the game today against Chicago, following his third-quarter interception.