Patriots fans are the touchiest kids on earth.e
They got caught dead to rights. They own it.
1) the investigation from the league hasn't even come out yet, so a rational assessment can't be made. There are security cameras and tv cameras everywhere. It's only the 1-2 hours before kickoff that need to be monitored plus the 1st half of the game. If the patriots intentially let air out of all those balls, then they will have some sort of evidence of it.
2) there are numerous reports from both players and head coaches that the rules for doctoring footballs arent followed. Other leagues do the same thing. For example, a basketball player who takes 3 or 4 steps and scores should be called for a travel according to the rule book, but it is not enforced and coaches and teams don't complain about a loss because a guy took two steps and a jump stop before hitting a game winning shot.
So step 1 is to prove that the Patriots intentially deflated the balls and step two is to figure out if this is a rule that is actually enforced. It could be a rule similar to how the traveling rule is not enforced.
Neither of these steps were taken before reporting the story because all the media wants is page views. What has leaked out since this time is that the rule for doctoring footballs in not enforced according to the current head coaches in the league and quarterbacks present and past.
There is also a precedent this season for the league to not punish tampering with footballs. I'm sure you are aware of the cold game where the balls were being heated up in full view of the cameras. The reason there was no punishment is because the league changed its rules about treating footballs and also allows teams to go beyond what the rules state because it helps offenses score more points. This is additional proof that the league looks at how teams prepare their balls as the nba does traveling. The rules are allowed to be broken to benefit the league and they haven't officially changed the rules, but it's clear to everyone (or almost everyone) what is actually allowed.