No deflation occurred. Just heat transfer. —
Well, now the truth comes out. Global Warming!
On a more serious note, the hot air and time could be ‘gamed’ to produce the desired final (lower) pressure.
Nascar owners employ engineering and machining specialists, and line backers for their different skills.
These NFL guys could get an engineer to perfect this Global Warming effect for them.
They may have or could have worked it out via testing based upon a simple suggestion. Brilliant. Everyone screaming cheater is a fool and doesn’t understand how to read the rule and allow for alternate ways of thinking.