Patriots' optical-field-goal edge remains legal under NFL rules
Patriots used a stadium video-board tactic to gain an edge on field-goal attempts by displaying an All-22/static image that keeps four goalposts in the kicker’s view while the kick is taken. The NFL confirmed the maneuver is legal under its Video During Kicks policy, which forbids flashing or moving images during kicks; the approach reportedly originated when kicker Stephen Gostkowski disliked seeing his image on the board. The tactic relies on existing rules and can be replicated until the policy changes.
