NFL, American Football Herren, USA New York Jets at Buffalo Bills Jan 4, 2026 Orchard Park, New York, USA Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott looks on before the game against the New York Jets at Highmark Stadium. Orchard Park Highmark Stadium New York USA, EDITORIAL USE ONLY PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xMarkxKoneznyx 20260104_hlf_bk3_023
NFL, American Football Herren, USA New York Jets at Buffalo Bills Jan 4, 2026 Orchard Park, New York, USA Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott looks on before the game against the New York Jets at Highmark Stadium. Orchard Park Highmark Stadium New York USA, EDITORIAL USE ONLY PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xMarkxKoneznyx 20260104_hlf_bk3_023
Jan 12, 2026, 12:00 AM CUT
Sean McDermott’s Gamble Pays Dividend as Buffalo Bills’ Tush Push Sinks Jaguars Hope
Josh Allen has led the Buffalo Bills to thier first on-the-road NFL playoffs victory in 33 years, and Sean McDermott's strategy proved decisive.
The Bills have been using the tush push with Allen in short-yardage situations, proving effective on crucial downs.
With 1:10 minutes left in the 4th quarter, the Bills trailed with a 24–20 score on the board. The Bills successfully attempted a tush push for a touchdown.
While it was originally called a TD, the Replay Official reviewed that the runner broke the ruling, and the play was reversed. Yet, it ultimately turned out in favor of the Bills.
Josh Allen gained 10 yards, and the reversal placed him on the 1-yard line. On the very next play, Josh Allen scored the go-ahead touchdown, giving Buffalo a 27–24 lead with just over a minute remaining in regulation.
The Jaguars had the chance to come back. C. Bishop intercepted a pass intended for J. Meyers, and then Allen kneeled to win the game.
Based on reported numbers, since 2022, the Eagles have used the tush push 122 times, followed by the Bills (74), Steelers (55), and Broncos (52). Last season, the Bills used it 17 times in the regular season, and Allen converted the first down to a touchdown on 16.
It’s No Wonder Sean McDermott’s Strategy Faced Resistance
There have been demands to ban this play. NFL Network’s Judy Battista reported that an unnamed team submitted a proposal to ban the play. The Athletic's Dianna Russini later disclosed that it was the Green Bay Packers.
Later, Packers CEO Mark Murphy spoke out against the move, too. He argued that it requires “no skill” and is “almost automatic.”
However, the proposal ultimately failed, earning two votes short of the 24 required for ratification, with 10 teams voting to keep the play legal.
Those teams were the Eagles, Ravens, Browns, Lions, Jaguars, Dolphins, Patriots, Saints, Jets, and Titans. When asked about it, Sean McDermott himself has said, "You have to go back, though in fairness to the injury data on the play. The optics on it, I'm not in love with." What do you think of the tush push?
Written by
Reyansh Dubey
Edited by
Sagnik Bagchi