Eagles’ Nick Sirianni told referees Commanders’ tush push antics ‘can be a TD’

Eagles’ Nick Sirianni told referees Commanders’ tush push antics ‘can be a TD’

As if the tush push isn’t tough enough to defend already, the Eagles knew they had an obscure rule in their pocket to help them if opposing teams go overboard in attempting to stop the play.

Philadelphia coach Nick Sirianni revealed he reminded the referees during Sunday’s NFC Championship game that the officials could award the Eagles a touchdown if the Commanders kept jumping offsides in an attempt to stop the short-yardage rushing play in the 55-23 beatdown.

Referee Shawn Hochuli warned Washington of the potential touchdown that could be awarded after a third straight encroachment penalty.

“I said to the referees on the side, ‘Hey, they keep doing this, it can be a touchdown, right?’” Sirianni said Tuesday. “And they said, ‘Yeah, that is correct.’”

The Commanders truly went all out to stop the tush push. @JomboyMedia/X

It’s fair to say many did not know NFL referees had the power to award teams touchdowns until Hochuli announced that rarely used rule could be utilized in said situations.

The Eagles faced a second-and-goal from the one-yard line before Washington went offsides on three straight plays while trailing, 34-23.

Nick Sirianni said he knew of the rule and informed the officials. Getty Images

Washington’s first two penalties involved a player jumping over the top of the pile in an attempt to time the snap, which led to Hochuli announcing that the Commanders had been warned that an unsportsmanlike penalty could be called if it happened again.

The third encroachment involved a player crossing the line early and that’s when Hochuli revealed the bizarre rule.

Shawn Hochuli tells the crowd that a touchdown can be awarded. @JomboyMedia/X

“Washington has been advised that at some point the referee can award a score if this type of behavior happens again,” Hochuli said. “For now, it’s a replay of second down.”

Former NFL rules czar and current Fox analyst Mike Pereira revealed that “deliberate” acts such as the repeated penalties can lead to a “palpably unfair act.”

Quarterback Jalen Hurts then scored on a tush push to take a 41-23 lead with 12:24 remaining.

The Commanders were penalized three straight times in their attempt to stop the score. @JomboyMedia/X

Sirianni, who has led the Eagles to the Super Bowl for the second time, said he learned of the rule from a former Chargers ᴀssisant coach Dan Shamash.

He did not believe that could be a real thing at first.

“‘That’s not a rule, are you out of your mind?’ I remember saying that to him. That’s not a rule,” Sirianni said. “I remember him being very emphatic with me because he knows the rules really well and telling me it was. I texted him after the game, ‘Smash, you were right.”

Stopping the tush push isn’t easy. @JomboyMedia/X

Sirianni added that he did not find the sequence funny, adding that he worried about a potential injury. Defenders jumping on offensive linemen’s backs opens the door for potential scary situations.

Said Sirianni: “I was thinking about the safe and health of our players.”

Related Posts

Ripped Rams coach Sean McVay and stunning wife Veronika Khomyn unwind on yacht in St Tropez

Ripped Rams coach Sean McVay and stunning wife Veronika Khomyn unwind on yacht in St Tropez

Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay and his glamorous wife Veronika Khomyn have fled California for some European sun. The 39-year-old and his wife were pictured soaking…

Ice Spice’s NFL star boyfriend reveals which NBA superstar played matchmaker

Ice Spice’s NFL star boyfriend reveals which NBA superstar played matchmaker

New York Jets star Sauce Gardner has revealed that NBA legend LeBron James helped play matchmaker with his rapper girlfriend Ice Spice.  Ice Spice and Gardner hard…

Tom Brady and Sydney Sweeney romance rumors send NFL fans into meltdown

Tom Brady and Sydney Sweeney romance rumors send NFL fans into meltdown

The possibility of Hollywood’s newest A-list couple, Tom Brady and Sydney Sweeney, which links two of the most popular celebrities in their fields, has sent their individual…

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce spark Swiftie fury after posing with ‘MAGA’ stars: ‘Where is her self respect?’

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce spark Swiftie fury after posing with ‘MAGA’ stars: ‘Where is her self respect?’

Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift have sparked a meltdown among her fanbase after they were seeing hanging out with the ‘MAGA’ co-hosts of ‘Bussin’ With The Boys’. The popular…

Travis Kelce and George Kittle belt out ‘Love Story’ with Taylor Swift in fresh clip that sends fans into meltdown

Travis Kelce and George Kittle belt out ‘Love Story’ with Taylor Swift in fresh clip that sends fans into meltdown

Taylor Swift stole the headlines from her boyfriend Travis Kelce’s ‘тιԍнт End University’ event in Nashville this week, but the singer also shared a cool moment with…

Ravens star Kyle Hamilton announces engagement to high school sweetheart Reese Damm

Ravens star Kyle Hamilton announces engagement to high school sweetheart Reese Damm

Baltimore Ravens safety Kyle Hamilton is engaged to his high school sweetheart, Reese Damm. The defensive back shared an image of him getting down on one knee…