Why the Buffalo Bills Josh Allen's 'tush-push' has no 'push'
![Jan 26, 2025; Kansas City, MO, USA; Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) seeks a first down against the Kansas City Chiefs during the second half in the AFC Championship game Jan 26, 2025; Kansas City, MO, USA; Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) seeks a first down against the Kansas City Chiefs during the second half in the AFC Championship game](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_4613,h_2594,x_0,y_0/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/ImagnImages/mmsport/bills_central/01jjqmxjnsdc4aaxc4zq.jpg)
In close games, playoff games, or games against a team as strong and well-coached as the Kansas City Chiefs, you cannot afford to miss opportunities. Converting on short yardage - for a first down or a touchdown - is a must-do if you want to beat the best. But the Buffalo Bills just can't seem to get over the hump - figuratively and literally - going 0-4 in the AFC Championship with their version of the 'tush push'.
The Bills & Josh Allen were 0-4 on Tush Pushes vs Chiefs.
— Chase Daniel (@ChaseDaniel) January 27, 2025
This spot on the most controversial call of the game is impossible to tell. What do you think?
How do we not have a better way to measure this? pic.twitter.com/vUttSovIj4
The Phildelphia Eagles are largely credited with making the 'tush push' a thing. They've certainly had quite a bit of success with it over the last four years.
Jason Kelce in the booth for the @Eagles tush push
— NFL (@NFL) September 17, 2024
📺: #ATLvsPHI on ESPN
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus and ESPN+ pic.twitter.com/SZ9a4ScgKY
After a year or two of teams trying to stop the play, fans calling for it to be banned, several teams finally went with the 'if you can't beat 'em, join 'em' philosophy and put in their own versions of it. The Ravens use their 6'5" 250lb tight end Mark Andrews as their ballcarrier.
“I told him I’m going to push the s**t out you” 😂
— The 33rd Team (@The33rdTeamFB) November 27, 2024
Mark Andrews + Derrick Henry is a dangerous tush push duo
🎥: @Ravens
pic.twitter.com/U2QQLuHLrh https://t.co/TsKJjR4SE4
Andrews is big, yes. Jalen Hurts can squat 600lbs, yes. But Josh Allen comes in at 6'5" 240 lbs plus. Why, after finding success with the play during the regular season, were the Bills stopped against the Chiefs on four of four attempts, all of them at crucial moments?
A factor is certainly Kansas City defensive tackle Chris Jones. The man is a beast. And the Bills had run their 'tush push' the left - Jones' side - all season and did not adjust against the Chiefs.
Buffalo Bills: 3rd & inches. Hmm tush-push to the left.
— Will Scarlet 🏹 (@ForestNews_Info) January 27, 2025
Buffalo Bills: 4th & inches. Hmm tush-push to the left.
Buffalo Bills: 3rd & inches. Hmm tush-push to the left.
Rest of the world: It's not working.
Buffalo Bills: 4th & inches. Let's try a tush-push to the left.🤦♂️ #NFL pic.twitter.com/OSB3XxEACR
The real problem may lie with the design of the Bills play compared to the Eagles and Ravens. The most important 'push' is the second wave that comes from behind the ballcarrier.
The Eagles put two to three players - a big wide receiver in AJ Brown as well as large tight end - behind Jalen Hurts. The Ravens put fullback Patrick Ricard and running back Derek Henry back there - that's 550 lbs of weight to push Andrews over the line and, often then, some.
You already know what's going on pic.twitter.com/4DwqZMopgb
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) December 3, 2023
The Bills, on the other hand, had RB Ray Davis. Davis weighs only 220 lbs. Big difference. If the NFL doesn't ban the The Brotherly Shove, the Bills might want to consider adding some more push to the tush in 2025.
Andy Reid, Steve Spagnuolo and the Kansas City Chiefs figured out how to stop Josh Allen in short yardage/Tush Push situations.
— Nick Veronica (@NickVeronica) January 27, 2025
Entering the AFC Championship, Allen had converted 80% of rush attempts needing 1 yard this season. But against KC, he only converted 3 of 7 (42.9%). pic.twitter.com/FDQru4I2OJ