The New England Patriots, coach Bill Belichick and the NFL are really going to have some questions to answer in the run-up to Super Bowl XLIX now.

ESPN reported late Tuesday night the Patriots had 11 of their 12 allotted game footballs underinflated by 2 pounds per square inch for Sunday’s AFC Championship Game rout of the Indianapolis Colts, citing “league sources either involved or familiar with the investigation.”

NFL spokesman Michael Signora said in an email the league is “not commenting on the matter at this time.”

Patriots spokesman Stacey James issued a statement reiterating the Patriots “have been in complete cooperation with the league and will continue to do so.”

The Patriots are scheduled to arrive in Arizona on Monday for the Feb. 1 title tilt against the Seattle Seahawks.

One Colts player, speaking off the record because of the sensitivity of the matter, told USA TODAY Sports he didn’t notice the balls were underinflated, but did notice officials kept swapping out the ball during the game.

The ball Colts linebacker D’Qwell Jackson intercepted in the second quarter was among those investigated, the player said, but Jackson didn’t notice the underinflation either.

The issue is whether the Patriots used footballs deflated below league requirements to get better grip in the rain during their 45-7 romp Sunday night.

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SOURCE: USA Today
Tom Pelissero