Patriots' video tactic for field goals was, and still is, legal
NBC Sports • • sports
Key Points:
- Former NFL analytics coach Ryan Paganetti highlighted that the New England Patriots have used an optical illusion on video boards during field-goal attempts to gain a competitive advantage, a tactic confirmed as legal by the NFL.
- The NFL's policy mandates that video and ribbon boards must display either a static image or an All-22 view during kicks, prohibiting any flashing, moving, or blinking images from the line of scrimmage until after the kick.
- The strategy originated from former Patriots kicker Stephen Gostkowski's discomfort with seeing his own image on the board, which evolved into using an all-22 image showing multiple goalposts to distract opposing kickers.
- Former Patriots strategist Ernie Adams acknowledged the psychological edge this tactic provides, noting its impact on opponents years later.
- The placement of video boards in kickers' sightlines makes this tactic effective, and stadium designers might consider similar features unless the NFL changes the rules.
