NFL memo bars differing video-board displays to distract kickers, affecting Patriots tactic

A league memo requires identical video-board content for both teams on field-goal attempts; noncompliance carries discipline. The change removes a home-field tactic the Patriots previously employed.

In this brief: 2 sections 1 min read

- Memo timing — League sent memo on September 7 requiring uniform displays.
- Allowed content — Teams may show either a live All-22 angle or a static image, but it must be identical for both teams throughout the game.
- Penalty — The memo warns teams that noncompliance will result in league discipline.
- Patriots practice — New England displayed video of goal posts behind the real goal posts only when opponents attempted field goals.
- Exposure — Former NFL analytics staffer Ryan Paganetti highlighted the practice publicly.
- Impact — The memo eliminates that home-field competitive edge previously available to the Patriots.

Read full analysis on nbcsports.com

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