NFL makes rule change to prevent Patriots’ strategic home-field advantage

The NFL has officially made a tweak in its rules to prevent a now-infamous Patriots loophole that went viral on social media early this season.

New England had a fantastic bit of gamesmanship and mental warfare against opposing field goal kickers walking into Gillette Stadium over the years. The tactic involved displaying the opposing team’s kicks on the video board from a slightly different angle than they were actually being kicked from. That created a bit of an optical illusion on the field, as there were now four sets of uprights, and the flags on top of the uprights moved in different directions on the video board and on the field.

How effective that tactic was would be an answer for the players that had to deal with it. But it certainly provided some level of advantage for the Patriots. And it is an effective enough strategy that the NFL decided it doesn’t want other teams using it.

The new guidance doesn’t actually prevent any team from using that view, commonly referred to as the “all-22” camera angle. But teams must do so consistently for both home and away clubs. Here is the full rule update sent to clubs:

“As a reminder, during field goal and extra point attempts, all video and ribbon boards must display either a static image (e.g., no flashing images, blinking effects, moving text/ images, etc.) or an All-22 View (e.g., high sideline, high end zone, etc.).

“To ensure competitive equity, clubs must apply this requirement consistently and use the same All-22 angle or static image for both kicking teams. Violations will result in accountability measures.

“In addition, pursuant to the Game Operations Manual, NFL Football Operations retains the authority to notify clubs during the season that certain video or ribbon feeds will be prohibited going forward.”

That initiative started during the Bill Belichick era and was uncovered by former NFL analytics coach Ryan Paganetti. Belichick and the Patriots used and abused loopholes more than any other team in their era, and arguably more than any other team in the history of the NFL.

Now, even as he graces college football Saturdays rather than NFL Sundays, Belichick is still leaving a legacy of crafty strategy leading directly to rule changes in the league.