The New England Patriots crushed the Indianapolis Colts 45-7 in the AFC championship game on Sunday night but they may find themselves in a bit of trouble pending an NFL investigation. The NFL is looking into whether the Patriots deflated game balls during their victory against the Colts. They officials reportedly took a ball out of play at one point and weighed it.
A deflated football could potentially be easier to throw and catch or more difficult, depending on how deflated it is.
According to the NFL’s 2014 rule book, game balls are to be inflated with between 12.5 and 13.5 pounds of air. Per NFL rules, home and road teams must provide 12 game balls apiece to be tested and approved by the league 135 minutes before game time. The home team also has to have 12 reserve game balls on hand to be tested, with the road team also having that option in outdoor games.
Sources say if a league investigation confirms deflated footballs, it would result in lost draft picks for the Patriots.
The Patriots lost their 2008 first-round pick as punishment for taping Jets signals. Head coach Bill Belichick was fined $500,000, and the Patriots were docked $250,000.
If it’s true, loss of draft picks doesn’t suffice, especially since it would be the Patriots second major offense.
h/t WTHR x ProFootballTalk
