The National Football League (NFL) is investigating the AFC Champions, the New England Patriots, on the grounds of potentially using deflated footballs in their game against the Indianapolis Colts.

The NFL did not believe the blowout win, the Patriots orchestrated against the Colts (45-7) and announced last Monday that they will be investigating the Patriots.

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Officials reportedly took away the game ball during the game in order to test it out.

The gravity of the matter lay in the fact that deflated balls are much easier to throw and catch in windy conditions. It could also help in increasing players' grip on the ball, which was an issue due to the rainy situation during the game.

Michael Signora, spokesman for the NFL, only commented that the matter was being looked into. He could not comment on how many instances are in question or what the possible punishment the Patriots would face if they got caught.

However, one report said that it could cost the Patriots draft picks.

Patriots quarterback Tom Brady dismissed the claim as ridiculous.

'I think I've heard it all at this point,' said Brady, who threw three touchdowns in the win. 'That's the last of my worries. I don't even respond to stuff like this.'

The manipulation of footballs is not wholly illegal in the NFL though. The League actually requires each team to bring 12 Wilson footballs to the game to be used by their offense. These are weighed and tested prior to the game.

Teams often change the weights of their footballs - within acceptable NFL regulations of course - in order to better suit their quarterback's style of play, as well as the conditions on the field.

Despite the ongoing investigation though, most NFL pundits are sceptical as to whether or not a deflated ball could be enough to discredit the 38-point thrashing the Patriots delivered to the Colts anyway. 

Tagsnew england patriots, NFL, Deflated balls, investigation