Lions’ Dan Campbell takes firm stance on NFL’s most debated play
The Detroit Lions shook off last week’s stumble against the Minnesota Vikings with a commanding road victory over the Washington Commanders on Sunday. Head coach Dan Campbell seized control of offensive play-calling duties himself, and the gamble paid off in a big way.
Now comes the hard part. The Lions travel to Philadelphia this weekend, where they’ll face an Eagles team that has weaponized one of football’s most debated plays.
The “Tush Push” remains a source of endless frustration for opposing NFL fans and coaches alike. Many insist the Eagles regularly get away with early jumps that should draw flags, and some believe they’ve caught favorable breaks on fumble calls too.
Campbell, though, isn’t buying into the complaints. Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, he made it clear he views the controversy through a different lens entirely.
“I’m a purist,” Campbell said. “You take something else out of the game, then we’re taking the next thing out of the game, then we take another thing out of the game, and pretty soon we don’t have pads anymore…. It’s something a team’s got a niche, they’ve found something, they’re good at it, and it’s for everybody else to stop.”
It’s a refreshing take in a league where coaches rarely pass up chances to complain about officiating gray areas. Philadelphia probably appreciates the endorsement, even if Campbell’s peers don’t share his perspective.
Most around the NFL expect the Tush Push to land back on the offseason agenda, mainly because officials keep struggling to call it correctly.
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) lines up for the tush push play on the goal line against the Kansas City Chiefs during Super Bowl LIX at Ceasars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
The play nearly got axed before this season after NFL owners debated player-safety concerns but ultimately let it stand.
For now, the rulebook says it’s fair game. That means Detroit’s defense better figure out how to stop it Sunday.
Broncos’ Sean Payton Vows Bigger Role for RJ Harvey Against Chiefs, signaling confidence in the young playmaker’s ability to spark the offense
The Denver Broncos enter Week 11 with momentum and heightened expectations, yet their preparation for the Kansas City Chiefs took on a new layer of intrigue after Sean Payton addressed the media on Wednesday afternoon. Payton’s comments signaled that adjustments are coming to the Broncos offense as the coaching staff looks to build on recent success and expand rookie running back RJ Harvey’s workload moving forward, beginning with a critical AFC divisional matchup with the Chiefs that carries significant playoff implications.
A video circulated Wednesday afternoon showing the 61-year-old coach outlining his approach headed into Sunday. Payton, now in his third season leading the Broncos, made it clear the rookie running back is set for a larger role. DNVR Sports’s Zac Stevens took to his X (formerly known as Twitter) account, sharing the clip as it gained traction on social media, where it underscored a notable shift in Denver’s offensive planning.
“He’ll have more opportunities in this game. He’s built to last and that’s important”
The change comes at an important moment for the Broncos offense. Veteran running back J.K. Dobbins is dealing with a foot injury that was not considered serious at first but was later revealed to be more concerning following the Broncos’ 10-7 win over the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 10. His outlook grew cloudier on Wednesday when he was a non-participant in practice, and Sean Payton did not rule out placing him on injured reserve before the session. That uncertainty, combined with Harvey’s efficiency, has prompted Payton to accelerate the rookie’s workload. Through 10 games, Harvey has produced six touchdowns, 389 scrimmage yards, and 5.2 yards per touch despite averaging only 7.5 touches per contest.
The growing confidence in the former UCF Knights standout comes as the Broncos prepare for a Chiefs matchup that carries major AFC West implications. Denver enters at 8-2, riding a seven-game winning streak, while the Chiefs sit at 5-4 and are trying to regain ground. Payton’s commitment signals a strategic adjustment aimed at balancing the Broncos offense, easing pressure on quarterback Bo Nix, and creating mismatches with Harvey’s versatility.
Broncos bold predictions: J.K. Dobbins, RJ Harvey combined for over 150 rushing yards
The Broncos need Dobbins and Harvey to have a good game if they plan on beating the Chiefs.
Dobbins is Denver’s lead back, but the rookie Harvey is getting more involved each week. It may take a combined effort to get Denver a win this week.
Kansas City has a solid run defense unit. In fact, they’ve only allowed 104.6 rushing yards per game, which is 12th best in the NFL. They should offer some problems for Denver’s offense, but I still see Dobbins and Harvey gaining plenty of yards. After all, they play against Denver’s defense in practice, and they’re even better against the run.
Dobbins is quietly one of the most efficient runners in the NFL, averaging 5.0 yards per carry on 153 carries. His efficiency is what makes me most optimistic that he’ll have a good game. He may not get many good looks, but Dobbins will take full advantage of any opportunities.
I’m predicting that Dobbins and Harvey will combine for over 150 rushing yards.
I’ll make it even bolder and guarantee that Harvey will have at least one carry of 10+ yards.
