The Detroit Lions shook off last week’s stumble against the Minnesota Vikings with a commanding road victory over the Washington Commanders on Sunday. Head coach Dan Campbell seized control of offensive play-calling duties himself, and the gamble paid off in a big way.
Now comes the hard part. The Lions travel to Philadelphia this weekend, where they’ll face an Eagles team that has weaponized one of football’s most debated plays.
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The “Tush Push” remains a source of endless frustration for opposing NFL fans and coaches alike. Many insist the Eagles regularly get away with early jumps that should draw flags, and some believe they’ve caught favorable breaks on fumble calls too.
Campbell, though, isn’t buying into the complaints. Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, he made it clear he views the controversy through a different lens entirely.
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“I’m a purist,” Campbell said. “You take something else out of the game, then we’re taking the next thing out of the game, then we take another thing out of the game, and pretty soon we don’t have pads anymore…. It’s something a team’s got a niche, they’ve found something, they’re good at it, and it’s for everybody else to stop.”
It’s a refreshing take in a league where coaches rarely pass up chances to complain about officiating gray areas. Philadelphia probably appreciates the endorsement, even if Campbell’s peers don’t share his perspective.
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Most around the NFL expect the Tush Push to land back on the offseason agenda, mainly because officials keep struggling to call it correctly.
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) lines up for the tush push play on the goal line against the Kansas City Chiefs during Super Bowl LIX at Ceasars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
The play nearly got axed before this season after NFL owners debated player-safety concerns but ultimately let it stand.
For now, the rulebook says it’s fair game. That means Detroit’s defense better figure out how to stop it Sunday.
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