Patriots devised perfect way to mess with opposing field-goal kickers
NBC Sports • • sports
Key Points:
- The New England Patriots have employed a clever tactic to distract opposing kickers during field goal attempts by displaying a reverse view of the formation on the video board behind the goalposts.
- This video board image creates an optical illusion with four yellow lines and flags that appear to move in the opposite direction of the actual wind, confusing kickers about wind conditions.
- Analytics expert Ryan Paganetti, who has worked with multiple NFL teams, identified this tactic after reviewing over a decade of Patriots home games and noted it was never shown during Patriots' own field goal attempts.
- Attempts to replicate the strategy at other stadiums, like Philadelphia's Lincoln Financial Field, proved ineffective due to differences in video board placement.
- The tactic exemplifies the Patriots' meticulous attention to detail in seeking competitive advantages on the field.
