The NFL is investigating the alleged use of deflated footballs by the New England Patriots during a 45-7 AFC championship game victory over the Indianapolis Colts at Gillette Stadium.

During the game, a ball was taken off the field and eliminated from further use. NFL teams are required to have a dozen footballs ready for testing prior to the game.

Should any wrongdoing be discovered on the part of the Patrots they could lose draft picks or be fined heavily.

USC when Lane Kiffin was their coach got fined $25,000 for deflating footballs. Football thats are under the regulation weight are considered easier to throw and catch.

During his weekly radio show, Tom Brady called the allegations "ridiculous."

"I think I've heard it all at this point," Brady said. "That's the last of my worries. I don't even respond to stuff like this."

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Aaron Wilson covers the Ravens for The Baltimore Sun