I am a Pats fan, but the fact remains that the condition of the balls falls to the game officials. During the game itself any ball used is handled 2 or 3 times by the officials after each down. If there was a problem with any ball, it is up to them to correct the situation. If you noticed, the officials held up the game at the start of the 3rd quarter to replace a ball. After that the Pats went 28 - 0 in the second half. nuff said