'Deflategate' New England Patriots latest news: Could cost Patriots draft picks and fines

BOSTON – The New England Patriots were caught using partially deflated balls in the AFC Championship game against the Indianapolis Colts Sunday, according to preliminary reports. 11 out of 12 balls were found to be underinflated in a plot fans and the media is calling "Deflategate."

Indianapolis linebacker D'Qwell Jackson caught an interception in the second quarter, noticed that the ball seemed underinflated, and alerted officials. The play lead to an inquiry, and the NFL stated that almost all of the Patriots' balls did not adhere to the standard inflation of 12.5 to 13.5 PSI. The footballs were underinflated by about two pounds per square inch, which could have given quarterback Tom Brady and his receivers an advantage in their 45-7 win over the Colts.

"There is an advantage to having deflated footballs," said former quarterback Ron Jaworski on ESPN. "In Inclement weather, you can grip the ball better."

Officials are trying to determine if Brady, head coach Bill Belichick or other Patriots staff had any hand in deflating the balls, and if so, what the team's punishment could be. While some are calling for the New England team to be denied an eighth trip to the Super Bowl on Feb. 1, but that outcome is unlikely. The Patriots can be fined a minimum of$25,000 and possibly lose draft picks.

The full investigation should be complete in two or three days, NFL Executive Vice President Troy Vincent told Pro Football Talk.

"When you begin getting into things that affect the integrity of the game, every player, every coach, every owner, every general manager, the one thing you want is competitive balance, competitive equity, competitive integrity," Vincent said. "For a fan, you want to know that everything's equal."

This isn't the first time the Patriots' integrity and sportsmanship has been called into question. In 2007, Belichick was caught using video cameras to spy on other teams, making note of rival coaches' hand signals and plays. "Spygate" ultimately cost the franchise a first-round draft pick and a $250,000 fine, while Belichick was fined $500,000.