Except they purposely lowered it below the amount allowed in the rules. That there is cheating, my friend. Tainted for all of history...this patriots organization.
Except tweaking with the balls has a long history. Earlier this year Minnesota got scolded for aiming a heat machine into the ball bag when they were playing in 12 degrees. Aaron Rodgers has stated he likes his more inflated than the rule allows and generally submits them that way hoping the refs miss it. Brad Johnson paid somebody to scuff of the ball at his SB. But people only seem to really get worked up about it what it’s the Pats.