The NFL could make some changes to plays involving pushing, which the New England Patriots immensely benefitted from versus the New York Jets on Thursday Night Football
21:58 ET, 13 Nov 2025Updated 22:01 ET, 13 Nov 2025
TreVeyon Henderson scored two touchdowns in the first half against the Jets
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TreVeyon Henderson scored two touchdowns in the first half against the Jets(Image: Getty Images)
The New England Patriots scored a touchdown on Thursday Night Football that could be outlawed in 2026.
On Thursday, the Patriots welcomed the New York Jets to Gillette Stadium for an AFC East showdown. New England entered the game as the favorites, given their dominant 8-2 record, but the Jets have won two successive games, having started 0-7.
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As Stefon Diggs made a gestures to a cheerleader that was caught on camera, Aaron Glenn’s team enjoyed a quick start on the road. Justin Fields led an impressive opening drive downfield, with the quarterback rushing into the end zone from five yards out to give the Jets the lead.
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But the Patriots stormed back. Rookie running back TreVeyon Henderson scored a pair of rushing touchdowns from seven yards out to tie the game, then gave New England a 14-7 lead.
Henderson’s first score, which came inside the first minute of the second quarter, caught the eye. Drake Maye tossed the ball to the Ohio State alum, who cut inside and left Michael Clemons wrong-footed.
He burst up the middle, where Jamien Sherwood met him at the 3-yard line. But Henderson didn’t go down, staying on his feet as the offensive line pushed him forward and into the end zone for the game-tying score.
It was a classic old-school football play, with the team driving forward by physically forcing Henderson to score. But the play could be banned as part of sweeping changes tied to the Tush Push.
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According to NFL insider Mike Garafolo, a ban on standard pushing was part of the revised proposal that was up for a vote this past spring. It’s unclear if the Henderson score would technically have been a flag, as the Patriots’ blockers are mostly pushing Jets defenders who are pushing Henderson in turn.
The play is legal this season, but it remains to be seen if it will be in 2026. The Tush Push is another pushing play that has sparked debates over its legality when it comes to pushing players forward.
Since the start of the 2023 NFL season, the Philadelphia Eagles have dominated in goal-line situations. The Tush Push has become the most effective play in league history, and the NFL competition committee has considered outlawing the play, but nothing came to pass.
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The Green Bay Packers submitted a proposal to ban the play this past offseason. It’s unclear if any teams will appeal the type of play that Henderson scored on, but some fans will be frustrated if so.
“This awesome TD will be illegal next year after they ban any pushing of ball carrier,” one user wrote. The Patriots lead 14-7 at halftime.