TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Nick Sirianni and the Philadelphia Eagles sent a message to the NFL and the 31 other teams in Week 4.
The reigning Super Bowl champions don’t need a tush push to win. And for those who consider it a boring play, now there’s a new twist. The fake makes it even more difficult for opponents to stop and more interesting to watch.
Facing a team that had their number and one that actually had some success against Philadelphia’s signature play, Sirianni and offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo mixed things up.
Saquon Barkley scored a touchdown on a fake tush push and Jalen Hurts tossed an underhanded TD pass on a variation of it in a 31-25 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday.
With the NFL instructing officials to make sure offensive linemen don’t start early on the play and widespread talk that it needs to be banned after team owners fell two votes short of eliminating it in the offseason, the Eagles got creative. In the process, they gave defenses another wrinkle to worry about.
Barkley ran untouched into the end zone from the 6 when Hurts turned and handed him the ball on a third-and-1 instead of keeping it and getting pushed from behind. Defensive coordinators now have to prepare for that possibility. Or, Hurts tossing the ball to a receiver out of a tight formation.
“Everything we do is a team effort, but it’s an exciting play — it makes it pretty exciting, right?” Sirianni said, smiling. “When we were coming over here, I’m watching the ( Vikings-Steelers ) Ireland game and I (saw) this commercial on Pepsi of them going, ‘Hey, when in Philly,’ and they’re sneaking it. People like this play. Then there are some things off of the play that make it really exciting. It seems like people and fans really like the play, and it was pretty exciting today to get two touchdowns that come off of it that make that play what it is.”
It’s wishful thinking for Sirianni to say people and fans like the play because most people outside of anyone who roots for the Eagles don’t feel that way.
But the creativity behind it will strengthen Philadelphia’s argument that it indeed is a football play and shouldn’t be banned when the topic comes up again after the season.
There was other drama for the Eagles (4-0) after their latest ugly win. Hurts was 0 for 8 in the second half and the offense finished with only 200 yards after a minus-1 effort in the final two quarters.
Star wide receiver A.J. Brown had just two catches for 7 yards on nine targets. Overall, he has only 14 receptions for 151 yards and one TD in four games.
Brown, who has been critical of the offensive scheme and the passing attack, then posted a message on X quoting the Bible that’s being viewed as a cryptic expression of his frustration.
“If you’re not welcomed, not listened to, quietly withdraw. Don’t make a scene. Shrug your shoulders and be on your way,” Brown wrote.
That’ll dominate the conversation in Philly despite the Eagles winning for the 20th time in 21 games.
Statement game
Another NFC East team made a major statement.
The Dallas Cowboys proved they’re not going to be a pushover without Micah Parsons.
A week after a lopsided 31-14 loss to Caleb Williams and the Chicago Bears, the Cowboys ruined Parsons’ return to Dallas with the Green Bay Packers.
The teams played to a 40-40 tie.
It’s a tie that should feel like a loss for the Packers, who entered as 7-point favorites. A fortunate bounce at the end prevented a loss after terrible clock management by Green Bay. Jordan Love’s incomplete pass hit a defender’s back and fell incomplete with a second remaining in overtime, giving Brandon McManus an opportunity to kick a tying field goal.
The Packers wasted 12 seconds before snapping the ball on third down, and it appeared they got away with some early movement before the snap.
Despite the tie, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones should feel a sense of satisfaction. Parsons had one sack on Dak Prescott, who was spectacular without top receiver CeeDee Lamb.
___
On Football analyzes the biggest topics in the NFL from week to week. For more On Football analysis, head here.
___
AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl
