What team is at the center of the Deflate-gate scandal?

The New England Patriots are the team at the center of the Deflategate scandal. The controversy began after the Patriots’ 45–7 victory over the Indianapolis Colts in the 2014 AFC Championship Game, played on January 18, 2015.

NFL officials discovered that several Patriots footballs appeared to be below the league’s permitted pressure range. The league investigated whether New England personnel had deliberately released air from game balls after they had been inspected by officials. The investigation focused on equipment assistant John Jastremski, locker-room attendant Jim McNally, and quarterback Tom Brady’s possible awareness of the activity.

The NFL later fined the Patriots $1 million, took away draft picks, and suspended Brady for four games. Brady’s suspension was eventually upheld by a federal appeals court, though the legal dispute generated years of debate about the evidence and the commissioner’s authority.

The Colts were the opponent whose complaint triggered the investigation, but the Patriots were the team identified with the scandal. That distinction is why “Patriots” is the expected quiz answer.