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Vikings have discovered a new way to defend the tush push

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This article was originally published on Larry Brown Sports.

Vikings defend the tush push with a player laying down

NFL teams have spent several years trying to figure out ways to stop the Philadelphia Eagles from converting in short-yardage situations with the tush push, and the Minnesota Vikings employed a new strategy in Week 7.

The Eagles ran the tush push during the first half of their game against the Vikings on Sunday at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minn. When Philadelphia lined up to go for the sneak play, the Vikings used a defensive alignment that had not previously been seen.

The Vikings had linebacker Tyler Batty lay down sideways right in front of the ball with two teammates hovering over him. The Eagles still converted the first time.

When Philadelphia tried to run the “Brotherly Shove” again later in the first half, Minnesota lined up the same way. The Eagles committed a false start penalty on the play.

Defensive coordinator Brian Flores likely hoped that having Batty lay down in front of the ball would help prevent the Eagles from getting lower than the Vikings, which creates the push. It is too early to say whether the strategy will be effective, but it is something new.

As long as the tush push remains legal, teams are going to have to figure out a way to stop it, as one coach said with his profane message about the play. The Vikings were creative in attempting to do that, if nothing else.

The post Vikings have discovered a new way to defend the tush push appeared first on Larry Brown Sports.

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