Everyone who goes up against the Eagles has one thing on the brain: how to stop the tush push. Ahead of a Week 10 clash at Lambeau, that task now confronts the Packers. So far, whether on third down, fourth down, or at the goal line, no one has had much luck stopping Jalen Hurts the Eagles’ o-line from moving the sticks.
The Chiefs tried timing the snap to fly over the top of the line of scrimmage and hit Hurts before his legs had a chance to get churning. No luck, only penalties on the Kansas City defense.
Before his game against them, Rams coach Sean McVay approached the league to ask that they officiate the tush push properly – that is, watch for the false starts Philadelphia linemen seem to be guilty almost every time they run the play. That didn’t work, either. Officials still continued to miss or ignore any early movements on the Eagles line.
Feb 9, 2025; New Orleans, LA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) lines up for a quarterback sneak at the goal line against the Kansas City Chiefs in the first quarter in Super Bowl LIX at Ceasars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Packers head coach Matt LaFleur has a simple recipe for success: don’t give them a chance to use it.
Packers’ Plan A is crystal clear – but failing that, Plan B exists
“I think the best way to stop it is to now allow it to happen,” LaFleur said. “You can’t allow them in those short yardage situations because you know exactly what they’re going to do and they’ve been pretty successful at it.”
Okay, so LaFleur’s “plan” is probably preached by every staff that faces the Philadelphia offense. For Green Bay, the key will be execution – keeping the Eagles out of third and short situations. Anything at two yards or less and they can run the tush push on both third and fourth down, confident that if they don’t get it the first time they will succeed on the second attempt.
Sep 28, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur looks on in the first quarter against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
That said, the Packers have a backup plan in the likely case that they do find themselves in at least one tush push scenario during the game. But LaFleur isn’t about to share the playbook.
“I mean, we’ll always have a plan. I’m not going to – I guess we’ll have to wait and see. … There’s fundamentals and techniques that I’d rather not get into. We can have a conversation after the game.”
For More Great Wisconsin Content
Follow me on X at @ezsniper14 and follow us@WiSportsHeroics for more great content. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in Wisconsin sports,click here!