The Buffalo Bills are taking a different approach at their new $1.7 billion Highmark Stadium, choosing not to use a controversial video board tactic associated with AFC East rival New England Patriots.

During Buffalo’s 41-31 victory over the Detroit Lions on Thursday night, the massive end-zone screens went completely black during field goal and extra point attempts.

The blackout applied to both teams. Buffalo kicker Tyler Bass and Detroit specialist Jake Bates had the same clear view behind the uprights, according to Boston Globe senior NFL writer Ben Volin, who highlighted the detail on social media. Volin described Buffalo’s approach as “hospitable,” considering the history of stadium gamesmanship involving video boards.

However, the Bills’ decision sits against a tactic previously associated with Gillette Stadium. Former NFL analytics coach Ryan Paganetti found that New England had used a reverse-angle camera feed on the video boards behind the uprights during visiting kickers’ attempts.

The feed could create the appearance of an additional set of yellow goalposts while reversing wind streamers shown on the screen. Paganetti’s review found the effect appeared during none of the 52 field-goal attempts by New England in the broadcasts examined.

Historical data from 2001 through 2019 showed visiting kickers converted 77.2% of field-goal attempts at Gillette Stadium, compared with an expected rate of 84.1%, according to the analysis.

For those wondering, by turning off the screens, Buffalo removed a potential visual distraction for kickers. The Bills also applied the same rule to their own kicker and the visiting specialist.