Based on the Patriots rebuttal, the likeliest explanation of the texts is that JJ and JM were engaged in a "scheme" to make sure the footballs were properly inflated to 12.5. Mentions of Brady's frustrations revolve around not meeting that standard. There is no evidence that anyone wanted to take the balls below 12.5. This is far more likely than a scheme designed to illegaly deflate balls after the referee had okayed them. This is even more convincing given the increasing likelihood that the Patriots balls were not out of the expected range given the weather. More probable than not.
