NFL makes big rule change regarding scoreboard images during field-goal attempts

There has never been a loophole or advantage that was too small for the New England Patriots to try to exploit during their two-decade-long run at the top of the NFL. One of the advantages that was recently brought to light was the way they displayed images on their video board behind the end zones in an attempt to confuse opposing kickers. 

Now that everybody is aware of the practice, the NFL has decided to close that loophole and put a stop to it.

NFL makes rule change that will prevent Patriots and other teams from confusing opposing kickers

ESPN Mike Reiss and Adam Schefter reported on Saturday that the NFL has sent a memo to all 32 teams that the only images that are allowed to be displayed on video boards during kicks are a static image or the same all-22 film angle for both kicking teams.

The league does not care which of those options they choose, as long as it is the same for both teams when they kick.

Failure to follow that change will result in punishment from the league. 

The Patriots' strategy was made public earlier this month by Ryan Paganetti, a former analytics coach with the Philadelphia Eagles, Las Vegas Raiders and Jacksonville Jaguars, who noticed the Patriots were displaying a reverse image of the kick that created an optical illusion with the goal posts, making it tougher for kickers to line up their kicks or view the streamers at the top of the uprights on windy days. 

Paganetti noticed the strategy was wildly successful, as opposing kickers had a lower success rate at Gillette Stadium than at any other stadium in the NFL, and there was no other stadium that was even remotely close.

The image did not exist when the Patriots kickers were kicking.