NFL Fans Baffled as Commanders Try to Stop Eagles' Tush Push as Ref Cites Rulebook

NFL officials are allowed to do what?

The Washington Commanders tried to counter the Philadelphia Eagles' infamous "Tush Push" by intentionally committing goal-line infractions in an effort to disrupt the play. This led officials to issue a warning, threatening to award the Eagles a touchdown if the tactic persisted.

Commanders and NFL fans were stunned by the development, unaware such a rule existed until ESPN's Jeff Darlington and Kevin Seifert confirmed it on social media.

The controversial sequence began with Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts attempting a quarterback sneak on second-and-goal early in the fourth quarter, with Philadelphia leading 34-23. The play resulted in Commanders defensive lineman Jonathan Allen being penalized for encroachment.

As the Eagles lined up again, Commanders linebacker Frankie Luvu drew another penalty by leaping over the line and making contact with Hurts while the rest of the players remained set.

Undeterred, the Eagles tried the "Tush Push" once more and Hurts used a hard count, prompting Luvu to leap over the line again, drawing yet another flag. Sensing the play-stopping pattern, Allen shifted early on the Eagles' next "Tush Push," earning another penalty. At this point, officials issued a warning to the Commanders for the repeated infractions, threatening further consequences if the tactic continued.

Following the announcement that the officials would award the Eagles with a score, Philadelphia pushed again, this time successfully and increasing their lead to 41-23.

"Simply put, a team can't commit multiple fouls in an effort to prevent the score," referee Shawn Hochuli told a pool reporter after the game, per ESPN's John Keim. "If it's meant to prevent a score we can essentially award the score."

The "Tush Push" proved to be too much as the Eagles took a commanding 55-23 victory over the Commanders, registering seven rushing touchdowns.