The data compares all teams on fumbles. Unless you believe that the Pats are super human compared to the whole rest of the NFL for being nearly off the chart, then the obvious conclusion considering they finally got caught with deflategate is that Pats were cheating.
Also look at the fact that the Pats play at home in an open stadium as mentioned in this article and now you are talking about the Pats being super super human.
This data analysis is actually very good.
Thos seems to make sense. It would be harder for a defensive player to punch a deflated ball out of a runners grip. So actual fumbles would not bounce as high or as far away from the fumbler. Lots of advantages to a softer ball.
The analysis may be top rate, but the fundamental assumption that fumbles are randomly distributed needs to first be proven, including in the case of the Patriots.
BTW - I am no supporter of the Pats. I grew up a Jets fan. LOL