NFL investigating Patriots over deflated football charges

(Image credit: Jim Rogash/Getty Images)

In last night's AFC championship game, the New England Patriots defeated the Indianapolis Colts in a 45-7 blowout. But while the Patriots and their fans were still reveling in their victory, the NFL quietly launched an investigation into the possibility that the Patriots deflated footballs during the game.

The benefits of deflating a football are difficult to gauge — depending upon how much air is removed, the ball is either easier or harder to throw and catch. In stormy conditions, as in last night's game, the benefits are purportedly higher. Indiana's WTHR reports that suspicious officials removed one ball from play and weighed it during the game.

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Scott Meslow

Scott Meslow is the entertainment editor for TheWeek.com. He has written about film and television at publications including The Atlantic, POLITICO Magazine, and Vulture.