Since everyone who tracked and handled the footballs from the time of the measurement before the game is paid by the NFL, someone had to be complicit or responsible. (Assuming, of course, they followed procedure from their rule book.) The NFL officials seem to be the only ones profiting from this, their calls are no longer the big story.

Colts should have kept quiet about the balls. It was only 17-7 at the time. After the balls were switched, they were outscored 28-0

But that's only an "outward glance" observation, and not reflective at all as to how the Pats scored those 4 2nd half TDs.

Second Half TD #3 (the last one of the 3rd qtr) was set up by an interception. The Patriots needed only 1 play (13 yds) -- and it wasn't a Brady pass.

(So now you're essentially down to 21 pts vs. 17)

Second Half TD #4 (only one of the 4th qtr) was only a 40-yard drive and Brady's passing contribution was simply 3 short passes for 22 yards...no completed passes downfield.

Second Half TD #1 (first of second half): Blount covered 40 of the yards in this drive with his running...Brady's passing contribution was a 6-yarder, a SHORT pass to Edelman that Edelman picked up 23 yards -- most yards AFTER catch, and the TD -- a 16-yarder to an eligible lineman who likewise had most of the yards AFTER catch.

(Once again, NOTHING downfield!)

Second Half TD #2 This drive had the ONLY downfield completed pass...one to Edelman down the middle for 22 yards. Other than that, LaFell had a SHORT 9-yard catch; Gronk had two short ones -- 7 and 5 yards -- and even his 16-yard catch was a short pass in which Gronk got YAC.

Having the ability to throw downfield in the first half with their deflated footballs, the PATS were able to open coverage up in the second half and they tossed 10 SHORT completed passes in the second half (only one downfield). Luck had no such luck...I mean "cheating" luck on his side...

A first quarter example of where the deflated ball probably helped Brady was his 30-yard pass to Vereen to the deep left part of the field. That was THE key play of New England's second TD march.

And the deflated balls helped the Pats' receivers in yet another way -- Amendola's punt return which spurred New England's field goal drive in the second quarter.

Just as passes were easier to grab and run -- so was his punt return of 30 yards.

If the game had been tied at half 7-7, Indianapolis' play selection would have been quite distinct early in the second half. What did we see the Colts do in the 3rd quarter? Only one run (for 2 yards). Down 17-7, the Colts were forced to go almost exclusively to the air ... 3 of 10 (one pick) in the 3rd quarter. A more balanced offense would have had greater success.