The Buffalo Bills beat the New Orleans Saints 31-19 on a beautiful day in Orchard Park, New York! This was one of the few 1pm kickoffs this season and one of the last home games at the current Highmark Stadium! But during the game,if you looked closely, you may have noticed something looked a little different. Was there two different colors of footballs being used?

The Buffalo Bills are now 4-0 and remain at the top of the AFC East. The Bills defense looked decent while the offense’s performance was not what the fans had hoped for. Even though the Bills put up 31 points! Next up for the Bills is a Sunday Night game in Orchard Park against the New England Patriots.

If you looked closely at the game balls being used, there seemed to be a difference; one was darker and more brown, while the other was a lighter, more orange color. You are not seeing things. There are differences and it comes down to team and quarterback preferences.

NFL Football Color Variations

Gallery Credit: Clay Moden

The Bills seemed to use the more natural pigskin color and the Saints seemed to be using the darker color when they were on offense.

Wilson footballs are the official game ball and are referred to as “The Duke”.

“The Duke” NFL football was named in honor of the game’s pioneering legend and NY Giants owner, Wellington Mara. Having been named by his father after the Duke of Wellington, young Mara was soon dubbed “The Duke” by the Giants players when he worked for the team as a ball boy in 1925″.