Among the many highlights of the Washington Commanders' storybook 2024 season, one of the most entertaining had to be during the NFC Championship game against the Philadelphia Eagles. Early in the fourth quarter, things got a little bit testy at the goal line.
Knowing that the Eagles' controversial Tush Push quarterback sneak play was inevitable, Commanders linebacker Frankie Luvu tried to take matters into his own hands. He tried jumping offside multiple times to stop it. It did not work, and the NFL even threatened to award Philadelphia a touchdown by default if Washington continued to commit encroachment penalties.
It was unwatchable. It was chaotic. But it provided the springboard that could have saved the league from this unfair advantage that clearly goes against the typical rules.
As it turned out, the Tush Push will live another day. Banning the play didn't received support from 75 percent of the owners. Serious discussions were had, and the Eagles even brought in retired center Jason Kelce to state its case. It had the desired effect.
Commanders must find ways to better counteract the Tush Push after shocking reprieve
Luvu, who earned second-team All-Pro honors last season, appeared on NFL Network's Good Morning Football, where the controversial play was naturally a topic of much discussion ahead of the vote. He did not mince words.
I think they should ban it... I know the argument is going to be about you guys have to stop it, don't get us in short yardage, and whatnot. It's kind of a cheapo play.Frankie Luvu via NFL.com
He went on to liken the play, in which several offensive players line up behind the quarterback and push him forward in a short-yardage situation, to a rugby scrum. For what it's worth, GMFB analyst Kyle Brandt stated that he believed the league will likely eliminate the tush push during the Wednesday ruling, citing rumblings from various insider sources.
He was wrong. And the Commanders must get better at counteracting this supreme threat.
Both sides of the issue can be understood. On the one hand, it is next to impossible to stop when executed correctly. It's virtually a free first down anytime the Eagles are within one yard of the line to gain. And with the end zone in sight? Forget about it.
Because of that, it gives Philadelphia much more wiggle room to take risks in third and fourth-down situations.
That said, it's probably worth mentioning that several other teams have attempted to incorporate the tush push into their playbook, and none have been remotely as successful. Philadelphia's offensive line is simply stronger than the rest of the league. They can't be faulted for leveraging that to their advantage.
Whatever the case, it's a play that has sparked controversy since it first became regularly utilized during the 2023 season. The Eagles used it to help guide them to a victory in Super Bowl LIX, and others around the league reacted accordingly.
While Luvu might not have voted, he provided the trigger for change. But somehow, the Tush Push got a reprieve.
