Deflategate: The Mystery of Magically Disappearing Air

The biggest scandal since ‘Watergate’ occurred last weekend, Watergate being when  Sean Payton, Saints coach, put hits out on players, not mafia hits but more like target that guys knee because he needs surgery at the end of the season hits. In the Patriots 45-7 victory over the Colts, in the conference final, 11 out of 12 of Patriots allocated game balls were underinflated by 2 PSI from regulation. This scandal was cleverly titled ‘deflategate’, NFL have started to name their scandals ***gate since Patriots first scandal of their era known as ‘Spygate’.  I thought I’d scientifically discuss the advantages the quarterback and wide receivers have with a deflated ball in this week’s blog!

To put it simply you get a clear advantage from a deflated ball when it comes to throwing and catching. Miguel Morales, an associate professor at the University of Washington, stated a deflated ball was more easily gripped and deformed meaning a quarterback could throw the ball more accurately. A deflated ball will also decelerate less quickly allowing for higher yardage on throws. Add in the rain and wind factor that occurred in New England on game day and you have a hell of an advantage. Morales stated that “when the ball is slick, the squeezing action becomes more important.” A receiver also has the advantage when catching those tough catches, with a deflated ball a receiver is more easier to grip the ball with their hands and pull it into their chest and complete the catch.

Brady and Belichick both claim ignorance asking why would they do such a thing? The evidence is clear, they would’ve done it for a clear advantage in the wind and rain. There is a scientific explanation for what could’ve happened on the other hand. There is the chance that the pressure of a football filled in a warm room will drop once it is taken outside into the cold. Colder gas molecules move more slowly, and hence the pressure is less. That reason seems very unlikely as no other team this year has faced this issue or in recent memory for that matter, and it didn’t happen with the Colts balls who played in the same game.Teams play in the snow and there are no problems with deflation!

The Patriots will most likely get a hefty punishment but no one will ever know if they purposely did it or not. Maybe a ghost did it, or a leprechaun, or a football fairy? Where are the Scooby Gang when you need them!? (Got scooby on the brain after watching it yesterday!)

Thanks for reading everyone!

Damn really wish I could think of a scooby doo saying!

Bye bye now!