Watch CBS News

NFL Silent On Whether They Will 'Randomly' Test PSI At Frigid Seahawks - Vikings Game

By Matt Dolloff

BOSTON (CBS) -- The NFL has been mum on their increased PSI testing before and during games throughout the season, and they won't commit to testing the air pressure at what seems like a perfect opportunity in Minnesota, where the Vikings will take on the Seahawks in what could be below-freezing temperatures.

Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk is a reliable reporter when it comes to straight news, but when it comes to takes? He's been on the Patriots payroll (metaphorically) since Day 1 of the DeflateGate debacle. He's pushed adamantly for more information on the NFL's testing of air pressure. The longer the league goes without revealing any data, the more they look like they don't want you to know the truth.

In an email to Pro Football Talk, NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said that the league's PSI tests are done "randomly." He added that there is not a set list of games to test and wouldn't offer any further comment on the "program."

The league has already admitted that they didn't know the air pressure in a football could fall with the temperature, and their testing this season may bear that out. Commissioner Roger Goodell said the testing will be more about the rules, ruuules, ruuuuules than figuring out the science of PSI. And it's obvious why: they don't want to know the science, nor do they want anyone else with half a brain to realize.

It's hard to deny that something fishy was going on with Jim McNally and John Jastremski at some point, based on their texts. But those texts didn't happen at the AFC Championship game last year, and there's also, you know, science at work here. It's completely plausible that nothing happened on that particular night, which set off the whole DeflateGate fiasco in the first place.

The league should 100% test the PSI at the Vikings - Seahawks game on Sunday, considering how unbelievably cold it's going to be. The forecast as of Friday morning predicts Sunday to have a high temperature of 3 degrees. Many in this region will be interested to see just how much the PSI in the footballs will drop - and it will drop, because of science. You know, that thing you can't deny.

Look, I'm really not trying to say the Patriots are 100 percent innocent. It's just that even if they did take the top off the ball in the AFC Title game, this season has proven that it had a minimal effect, if any, on Brady and the Patriots' performance. Even if they are guilty, it's a minor violation. But because of the uniform, because of the name, a speeding ticket became a murder charge. The NFL's random (read: half-assed) PSI testing will prove that the weather alone could have caused deflation in the footballs, and I simply want the league to acknowledge that.

The league's lax approach to what they insisted was an important measure indicates that they don't want you - or themselves - to know the truth.

Matt Dolloff is a writer for CBSBostonSports.com. His opinions do not necessarily reflect that of CBS or 98.5 The Sports Hub. Follow him on Twitter @mattdolloff and email him at mdolloff@985thesportshub.com.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.