Toucher and Rich: Sources said the League approved under-inflated balls BEFORE GAME

[Palm Beach Pats Fan]

That would be a game changer if true. I hope there's more to this.

It might give an explanation if/why the intercepted ball was an outlier (down 2 psi to 10.5, maybe?) while the others were where they out to be after being out in the cold (11-11.5)

 

[Palm Beach Pats Fan]

On AV's kick, I forget how short it was, but the issue was that it was WAY right from the time he kicked it. Low psi probably didn't play any role there.

 

[PatsFan98117]

Kicking balls are from a different batch and come straight from the manufacturer, IIRC.


ETA, from the rulebook:
For all games, eight new footballs, sealed in a special box and shipped by the manufacturer to
the Referee, will be opened in the officials’ locker room two hours and 15 minutes prior to the starting time o f the game.
These balls are to be specially marked by the Referee and used exclusively for the kicking game.