Patriots roll by Colts to win AFC Championship Game
Tom Brady and the Patriots dominated Andrew Luck and the Colts 45-7 in the AFC title game to advance to Super Bowl XLIX. New England will face the Seattle Seahawks in two weeks in Glendale, Ariz. Ref. USAToday
Patriots' Bill Belichick on Deflategate: 'I had no knowledge' until Monday
Belichick spoke to the media for the first time since ESPN reported Tuesday that 11 of the Patriots' 12 footballs were underinflated in AFC Championship Game against the Indianapolis Colts. Ref. USAToday
The Patriots probably deflated footballs during the AFC Championship in deliberate violation of game rules, the NFL says.
"It is more probable than not" That two Patriots employees "Participated in a deliberate effort to release air from Patriots game balls after the balls were examined by the referee," According to an investigative report released Wednesday.
It's also likely quarterback Tom Brady "Was at least generally aware of the inappropriate activities," The report said. Ref. CNN
New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft says he will not appeal the punishment levied by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell related to "Deflategate."
Speaking at the NFL owners' meetings in San Francisco, Kraft said that while he disagrees with Goodell's decision to fine the Patriots $1 million and strip them of future draft picks, he no longer wants to "Continue the rhetoric" Over the controversy.
Kraft's decision does not affect quarterback Tom Brady's appeal of his own punishment in the matter, which was a four-game suspension without pay. Ref. CNN
The New England Patriots defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers 36-17 in the AFC Championship on Sunday night.
Tom Brady's playoff brilliance continued, as he threw for three touchdowns. He threw for more than 300 yards for the 11th time in a postseason game, the most all-time.
The Patriots will face the Atlanta Falcons in Super Bowl LI on February 5 in Houston. There's the opportunity for Patriots head coach Bill Belichick, who has won four Super Bowls as a head coach, to pass Chuck Noll for the most Super Bowl wins in NFL history. He already has the most poststeason wins of all time by a head coach. Ref. CNN.
Patriots' Tom Brady not attending White House ceremony, citing 'personal family matters'
The team is scheduled to visit President Trump to be honored for its Super Bowl LI victory on the same day former Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez was found hanged in his prison cell in Massachusetts. Ref. USAToday.