Latest news with #TushPush
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Josh Allen Offers Stunning Opinion on Eagles' Tush Push
Josh Allen Offers Stunning Opinion on Eagles' Tush Push originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Philadelphia Eagles' famous "Tush Push" play is returning for another season. The league's hopes of banning the play failed over a month ago. Advertisement Since then, players around the league can't stop debating whether or not the play belongs. Some defensive players see an unfair advantage, while other offensive players believe it is up to the defense to figure out a way to stop it. Now, the league MVP is getting involved. The Buffalo Bills' starting quarterback, Josh Allen, was the latest to endorse the play in an exclusive interview with Sports Illustrated. "I'm a big believer in if you can't stop it, keep running it, right?," Allen said. "I think that there's a few teams that do it better than others, but then you look at a few teams that try to do it, and it doesn't have the same success... I don't feel like it should be banned." Advertisement Allen's comments are surprising. Buffalo was one of the teams that voted to ban the play during the offseason. Outside of the Eagles, the Bills were among the other teams to run the variation of the quarterback sneak with frequency. Allen's use of the play to his advantage and desire for the Tush Push to remain might be stunning in that it is in conflict with his front office … But no matter.. Meanwhile. … Despite Buffalo's success last season with the play, the Kansas City Chiefs repeatedly shut it down when they ran it in the AFC Championship Game. Two weeks later, the Eagles didn't have that same problem. They converted the play into the game's first score in Super Bowl LIX. Advertisement The Tush Push is here to stay for at least another season. If you ask the league MVP, he feels the play should remain in the league forever. Related: Eagles Jalen Hurts Saved Key Super Bowl Contributor Related: Lane Johnson Poised To Join Elite Group of 'Eagles for Life' This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 18, 2025, where it first appeared.
Fox Sports
3 days ago
- Sport
- Fox Sports
Bills' Josh Allen on Tush Push: 'If You Don't Like It, My Advice Is To Stop It'
Whether the Philadelphia Eagles' execution of the Tush Push should be allowed has been a topic of conversation in the NFL over the past three years, but Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen has a blunt take on the matter. "I'm a big believer in if you can't stop it, keep running it, right?" Allen said when asked about his thoughts on whether the Tush Push should be banned in an interview with Sports Illustrated. "I think that there's a few teams that do it better than others, but then you look at a few teams that try to do it, and it doesn't have the same success because, one, they maybe don't practice it enough or, two, they don't have the guys to do it. And just because a couple teams do it better than others, I don't feel like it should be banned. "I understand the merit of what it brings, and so I don't really sway one way or the other. I try to play the game based on the interpretation of the rules. And if that was the rule that was passed, you know, we'll find a different way. But I feel like if you can use it to your benefit, use it to your benefit. If you don't like it, my advice is to stop it, you know? The Green Bay Packers led an effort to ban the Tush Push this offseason, but a vote on the matter failed to reach the required 24 teams voting in favor of a ban, meaning the play remains legal. As for the team that runs the play, Jalen Hurts and the Eagles just won Super Bowl LIX. Allen and the Bills are coming off a grueling, 32-29 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Championship Game. Individually, though, Allen won his first career NFL MVP Award en route to helping Buffalo go 13-4 and win the AFC East for a fifth consecutive season. In the regular season, the now-three-time Pro Bowler totaled 3,731 passing yards, 28 passing touchdowns, six interceptions and a 101.4 passer rating, while completing 63.6% of his passes. He also rushed for 531 yards and 12 touchdowns. Allen ranked first among quarterbacks in rushing grade (94.4), fourth in overall grade (91.8) and ninth in passing grade (82.9), according to Pro Football Focus. In the postseason, Allen totaled 636 passing yards, four passing touchdowns, zero interceptions and a 109.6 passer rating, while completing 70.7% of his passes; he rushed for 105 yards and two touchdowns. As a collective ground attack, the Bills averaged 131.2 rushing yards per game in the regular season, good for ninth in the NFL, and averaged 168.0 rushing yards per game in the postseason. Running back James Cook rushed for 1,009 yards and an NFL-high 16 touchdowns on 4.9 yards per carry. Allen signed a six-year, $330 million extension ($250 million guaranteed) with the Bills in March. Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, and follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily! FOLLOW Follow your favorites to personalize your FOX Sports experience Buffalo Bills Philadelphia Eagles Josh Allen recommended Get more from National Football League Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more
USA Today
3 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Recent Tush Push study delivers a surprise Eagles fans didn't see coming
Recent Tush Push study delivers a surprise Eagles fans didn't see coming New Tush Push report could change the some of the narrative about Philly's famous play. After taking a few years to analyze both data and chatter, it has become apparent that there are two types of Philadelphia Eagles fans when it comes to Pro Football Focus. One sect is in the fan section. They may not shell out additional dollars for premium content, but they're all in. They love the statistical deep dives even if they sometimes struggle to understand them. The other sect consists of those who say they aren't fans but are fibbing. They claim to despise PFF's analysis, yet they always seem to be caught up in their latest takes and stories. Here's the verdict. PFF is typically worth a discussion. They're in their own lane, one that has attracted others who are walking a road that has already been paved. Why so much love, you ask? It's simple... Cris Collinsworth's brainchild has again caught our attention. Just when you thought discussions about the Tush Push would finally go silent, here come the stat gurus to offer more in-depth analysis. PFF reveals a surprising detail about the Eagles' infamous Tush Push play Who knew? One of the most basic play calls in football's handbook, a supercharged quarterback sneak, has been the subject of praise, animosity, and fury. We learned a new rule in the NFC Championship Game because of its existence. We saw anonymous grievances filed. We later learned they were submitted by an Eagles regular-season and playoff victim. In the end, ten teams stood with the Birds, and Philadelphia's infamous play lives on for another NFL season. Discussions about the Brotherly Shove haven't ended, though. Recently, PFF's Ben Linsey offered a deeper dive, one that shares some of the expected information and a few surprises that few Birds fans were probably expecting. As is well known, Philadelphia isn't the only team running the play. As most would probably expect, however, they lead the NFL in its usage over the past four seasons and lead the league in expected points added (EPA). The Eagles have run 145 quarterback sneaks during that time frame. The next highest team in terms of usage is the Buffalo Bills (77). The Denver Broncos are ranked second in terms of EPA, but here's what's interesting. When calculating average EPA, Philadelphia doesn't land in the top five. They rank sixth. They trail the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Green Bay Packers, Baltimore Ravens, Denver Broncos, and Detroit Lions. Wait! PFF is saying that Philadelphia isn't the best at running this play. Wasn't that part of the reason why so many teams called for a ban? Well... That and potential injury... Here's what Linsey detailed in his bottom line. "While the Eagles outperform most of the league in average EPA per quarterback sneak, there's little evidence to suggest they hold a significant edge in execution. Their true advantage lies in volume: they've fully embraced one of the most efficient short-yardage plays in football, leveraging it more frequently than any other team." Interesting... Who knew? Zany stats... Unexpected calls by referees in the NFC Title Game... From a journalistic perspective, the Tush Push has given the NFL world plenty to talk about. Expect discussions to continue well into the future.
The Herald Scotland
3 days ago
- Sport
- The Herald Scotland
Ranking NFL teams' odds of going first to worst in 2025 season
Its schedule, draft and free agency are all engineered to underpin the parity that gives all fan bases fresh hope that this is the year ... or at least that their teams can qualify for the playoffs - at least four new entries have reached the playoffs (compared to the previous year's field) in every season since 1990, when the Super Bowl tournament expanded to 12 teams, a figure that grew to 14 in 2020. As my colleague Mike Middlehurst-Schwartz noted Monday, last season was just the third in the last 22 years when the league did not produce a division winner that had finished in last place the previous season. But I'll be Negative Nate and offer a reminder that unforeseen failure is basically as likely as instant success. Over the past decade, 10 teams have finished in last place the year after being crowned a division winner - basically one per season. Yet that frequency has grown since the start of the 2020 campaign, when six teams have gone from first to worst, including the San Francisco 49ers in 2024. In fact, the Niners were the third team since 2015 to go from conference champion to cellar dweller. So which squads might suffer a similar spiral in 2025? We rank the penthouse-to-outhouse vulnerability of last season's division champions from least to most: What's working for them: History. They replaced the New England Patriots as kings of the AFC East in 2020 and have ruled the division ever since. QB Josh Allen is the reigning MVP, and his flock of pass catchers should feature either improved or healthier players in 2025. What's working against them: RB James Cook wants a new contract, and there's not a proven replacement behind him if he really decided to make an issue of it. After allowing 26 points per game over their final eight contests in 2024, the Bills heavily resourced their defense during the draft and free agency. But a unit that has incrementally slipped over the past four years must still prove that slide is over. Bottom line: It remains to be seen if Buffalo can finally breakthrough for the franchise's first Lombardi Trophy. But there doesn't appear to be a division in the league with a bigger gulf between its presumed favorite and remaining pretenders. The Bills should coast to a sixth consecutive AFC East title, and a scenario - even one regrettably entailing an injury to Allen - that lands them in last place seems virtually inconceivable. What's working for them: Over a single season anyway, the Super Bowl 59 champs were as good as any team this century. And, given the overall strength of this roster, there's little reason to believe a significant drop-off is ahead - especially since NFL owners decided not to outlaw the "Tush Push" this spring. What's working against them: History. It's been more than two decades since the NFC East's last repeat champion. Philly owns the league's fourth-hardest schedule (based on the opposition's 2024 winning percentage), will need younger players to step into the breach at a few spots following some free-agent defections and has a first-time offensive coordinator in Kevin Patullo. The Washington Commanders and, perhaps, the Dallas Cowboys could also be legitimate threats to win the division. Bottom line: It wouldn't be a shock if Philly falls from first place given the NFC East's penchant for turnover at the top. It would be a shock if the Eagles miss the playoffs or - certainly - somehow find themselves looking up at the retooling New York Giants in the divisional table. What's working for them: History? The last time the Bucs didn't capture the NFC South was 2020 ... when they ultimately won Super Bowl 55. Theirs has been an underappreciated run, even if the division hasn't exactly been a gauntlet lately. An already deep offense that ranked third overall in 2024 added WR Emeka Egbuka in the first round. A defense that struggled to stop the pass drafted reinforcements for a secondary decimated by injuries and added pass rusher Haason Reddick in free agency. What's working against them: QB Baker Mayfield's two best NFL seasons have come in Tampa, but unproven Josh Grizzard will be his fifth coordinator since 2022. But a team that allowed 385 points last season, its most since 2019, really needs the defense to rebound - and that will likely mean significant reliance on rookies DBs Benjamin Morrison and Jacob Parrish, while veterans like Reddick and All-Pro S Antoine Winfield Jr. must revert to form. Bottom line: Tampa Bay appears well positioned to defend its divisional dominance, though the Atlanta Falcons and Carolina Panthers could be ready to take a step up in class. But for the Bucs to land on the divisional rocks, they'll have to go so far off course that they're also overtaken by the rebuilding New Orleans Saints ... which seems highly unlikely. 5. Baltimore Ravens What's working for them: They've gone 25-9 while winning the AFC North the past two seasons. Baltimore boasts stars throughout its lineup yet is obviously headlined by All-Pro QB Lamar Jackson, perhaps the most feared player in the league. Yet the Ravens somehow signed DeAndre Hopkins to be their third wideout, while the draft may have netted immediate impact players in S Malaki Starks and OLB Mike Green. What's working against them: This is a veteran-laden team that will likely lean heavily on RB Derrick Henry, LT Ronnie Stanley, OLB Kyle Van Noy and Hopkins, who are all at least 30 years of age. TE Mark Andrews will join the list by the team the season kicks off. Jackson, 28, hasn't always been the most durable guy yet he's missed just one game over the past two seasons. After more than a decade of knowing K Justin Tucker would come through in the clutch of close games, the Ravens have not only moved on but are currently content to let an unproven rookie - Tyler Loop or John Hoyland - win that job. And, of course, this division is always a slugfest. Bottom line: It would generally be fair to consider the Ravens the AFC's version of the Eagles - loaded with talent and almost unfailingly in the postseason mix. And, like Philly, they're likely to face two bona fide challengers to their divisional eminence. But how does Baltimore also fall behind a Cleveland Browns squad currently auditioning four guys for its open QB1 job? Seriously, how? What's working for them: History. The last time K.C. failed to win the AFC West was 2015 ... when QB Patrick Mahomes was a sophomore at Texas Tech. The Chiefs haven't missed the AFC championship game in seven years and have only fallen short of the Super Bowl once in the past half dozen. And the offense certainly has the potential to be more explosive with greased lightning WR Xavier Worthy going into Year 2, when he should be flanked by the now-healthy duo of Rashee Rice and Hollywood Brown. What's working against them: History? No team has reached the Super Bowl six times in a seven-season stretch - and the Chiefs' dynastic run has put a lot of extra mileage on this roster over the years. Rice missed most of last season with a knee injury and still has consequences shadowing him after racking up eight felony charges after street racing in Dallas last year - though a suspension could still be a year away as his legal proceedings continue to play out. Kansas City's more immediate problems are reconstructing the left side of the offensive line after Mahomes was sacked a career-high 36 times in 2024 - which didn't include the six times he was taken down in Super Bowl 59, the most he'd ever absorbed in an NFL game. The Chiefs were also one of three AFC West teams to reach the playoffs last season, and the one that didn't - the Las Vegas Raiders - appears significantly improved heading into 2025. Bottom line: Though it wasn't always pretty - namely the Super Bowl loss to Philadelphia that dashed their historic three-peat dreams - the Chiefs did win a franchise record 15 games last season and still have Mahomes, who's probably already thrust himself onto the league's Mount Rushmore of quarterbacks. Given what a murders' row the AFC West has become, it's feasible that Kansas City could fall off its throne. But, barring a major injury to Mahomes, hard to envision the Chiefs dropping very far. What's working for them: Flawed as they seem to be, the Texans seemingly remain the class of a similarly flawed division they've won the past two seasons. And as unimpressive as they were for stretches in 2024, Houston still ultimately reached the divisional playoff round - as it also did during the 2023 postseason. QB C.J. Stroud and HC DeMeco Ryans seem to be rising stars at their respective posts. An underappreciated defense could emerge as one of the league's best. What's working against them: Hindered by his scheme, protection and injuries to his receivers, Stroud suffered something of a regression after earning Offensive Rookie of the Year honors in 2023. Given that backdrop, maybe it's actually a blessing that he'll have a new coordinator and overhauled O-line. Still, this could be a work in progress early on - especially since the receiving corps behind Pro Bowler Nico Collins has also been revamped. Bottom line: This is probably a good team. This could be a questionable division - though the Tennessee Titans and Jacksonville Jaguars appeared to make significant gains this spring. And if the Indianapolis Colts can enjoy a resurgence behind whomever is their quarterback, the AFC South might just be more competitive than expected - which might put the Texans at risk of a tumble after they went 5-1 in the division in 2024. What's working for them: Nobody had a better regular season record (15-2) than they did in 2024. An offense that led the league with 564 points last season retains the on-field firepower to remain dominant. Speaking of dominant, the defense didn't couldn't be confused with that description a year ago - but maybe the story is different if star DE Aidan Hutchinson doesn't break his leg in Week 6. His 7 1/2 sacks still easily paced the Lions last season, and it seems like he should recapture his pre-injury form by Week 1. What's working against them: They've won 29 of their past 36 regular-season games and the past two NFC North crowns. But there's no way to divorce that success from their departed coordinators, Ben Johnson and Aaron Glenn, who both left for head coaching gigs in 2025. One of the league's top offensive lines just lost perennial Pro Bowler Frank Ragnow to retirement. The Lions are also mired in a division that sent two other teams to the playoffs last year, while the third - the Chicago Bears, now led by offensive mastermind Johnson - is teeming with possibilities. Bottom line: HC Dan Campbell and GM Brad Holmes have built a helluva roster here and maybe an even better culture - so it seems unlikely the Lions simply bottom out despite significant alterations to the staff, which go beyond the notable departures of Johnson and Glenn. Yet the NFC North could quite reasonably wind up eating its own tail, with all four teams conceivable packed in, say, the nine-to-11 win range. If that outcome materializes, don't be stunned if the Lions, who have the toughest schedule (.571 collective winning percentage in 2024 among their opponents) among 2024 division winners, wind up at the bottom of the heap. What's working for them: They wound up being the only team that posed a serious threat to the Eagles during the 2024 postseason. A year after Aaron Donald's retirement, the defense has enjoyed a resurgence with young quality and quantity - which is probably the only way to realistically replace a three-time Defensive Player of the Year. And the offense could take another step with reliable WR Davante Adams essentially replacing oft-injured Cooper Kupp. What's working against them: Just two-plus years ago, the Rams mounted the worst Super Bowl defense in league history - largely due to a rash of injuries. Now, QB Matthew Stafford is 37, Adams will turn 33 in December and fellow WR Puka Nacua has a lengthy injury history going back to his college days. Recently extended LT Alaric Jackson, who missed nine games with blood clots during that 2022 campaign, is now dealing with the same issue, putting his availability in some question. But while injuries have the potential to derail any NFL team, it must be noted that the Rams are also going to be part of a hotly contested division that could wind up being clinched by any of its four members. Bottom line: There may not be a team in 2025 that seems to legitimately have the potential to win the Super Bowl ... or pick in the top five of the 2026 draft - though LA might even do both given GM Les Snead obtained Atlanta's Round 1 choice next year. Still, good as they are, the Rams will be quite dependent on aging veterans like Stafford, Adams, RT Rob Havenstein (33) and TE Tyler Higbee (32), among others. And with the Arizona Cardinals and Seattle Seahawks seemingly on the rise and archrival 49ers positioned for a resurgence, the ingredients are there for a would-be Hollywood blockbuster to bomb. All NFL news on and off the field. Sign up for USA TODAY's 4th and Monday newsletter.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Sport
- Time of India
Josh Allen breaks ranks — Backs ‘trash' rookie, defies Bills' script
There's something shifting inside the Buffalo Bills locker room. A rookie receiver is holding nothing back, the franchise quarterback is keeping expectations low, and one of the NFL's most debated plays has divided opinions. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now As preseason storylines unfold, Buffalo's internal dynamics are already making waves across the league. And at the heart of it all stands Josh Allen—more vocal, more measured, and slightly at odds with his own team. Keon Coleman 's raw honesty and Josh Allen 's quiet shift in tone spark fresh tension in Buffalo Keon Coleman, the Bills' second-round draft pick, is already making headlines—not for his performance, but his brutal self-assessment. 'You want to know exactly what I see? Man, that shit trash,' he said when asked about his early days. The comment, while unfiltered, reveals a raw honesty not often seen in NFL rookies. For Buffalo fans, it's a moment that signals both humility and hunger. Josh Allen, however, is approaching Coleman's journey with patience rather than pressure. 'I wouldn't say I expect anything out of him, but all I can say is he is 100% taking this seriously,' Allen said in a recent Sports Illustrated interview. 'He's bigger right now. He's faster. He's stronger. He understands the playbook better.' The Bills QB appears more focused on chemistry than instant output. Allen also praised Coleman's willingness to improve and communicate. 'We're still conversing about how we can be better, where certain balls will be thrown,' he added. 'He's a very hungry kid, and I think that going out there and playing the way I do, I think it'll be a very good year for him.' Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The message is clear: Allen sees long-term potential taking root. Tush Push twist – Allen goes against the vote Off the field, Allen has taken a surprising stance on a topic that recently dominated NFL meetings—the Tush Push. Despite the Bills being among 22 teams that voted to ban the short-yardage quarterback sneak, Allen defended the tactic. 'I'm a big believer in if you can't stop it, keep running it, right?' he said, taking a stand that contradicts team management. Allen didn't hold back on why some teams succeed while others fail with the play. 'Some teams don't practice it enough or don't have the guys to do it,' he explained. 'Just because a couple teams do it better than others, I don't feel like it should be banned.' His comments align with Philadelphia Eagles star Jason Kelce, who helped lead the charge to preserve the play. Also read: With training camp around the corner, the spotlight on the Bills only intensifies. Coleman's honesty, Allen's leadership, and the Tush Push debate are shaping a pre-season narrative packed with tension and transformation. Whether it builds into success or implosion is a story that's just beginning to unfold.
