Centaurus,
In part, Boeing is probably falling into line with a general FAA "recommendation" that, for all visual circuits, all checks should be completed downwind.
This goes back quite a while now, and as you know, FAA has seriously frowned upon visual circling segments of a non-precision approaches for a long time, imposing MDAs generally 1000" AGL or above for most Part 121 operations of large aircraft, regardless of TERPS or Doc 8168 calculated MDA.
Tootle pip!!