Soon after the New England Patriots handily disposed of the Indianapolis Colts 47-7 to book their ticket to the Super Bowl on February 1, news broke that the NFL is investigating whether the Patriots deflated footballs that were used during the AFC championship game.

According to a report by AP pro football writer Howard Fendrich, the inquiry was first reported by the website for WTHR-TV in Indiana.

"We are looking into it. We do not have anything further to add at this point," league spokesman Brian McCarthy reportedly wrote in an email to Associated Press.

Fendrich's report points out that according to the NFL rule book, home teams are responsible for furnishing playable balls at all times, with each team bringing 12 balls, while the home team also providing 12 backup balls.

The referee then checks if the footballs are properly inflated before turning them over to ball attendants also provided by the home team.

"If any individual alters the footballs, or if a non-approved ball is used in the game, the person responsible and, if appropriate, the head coach or other club personnel will be subject to discipline, including but not limited to, a fine of $25,000," reads the NFL's game operations manual.

Colts coach Chuck Pagano said he did not notice any issues with the football, while Bill Belichick told reporters during a conference call, "We'll cooperate fully with whatever the league wants us to, whatever questions they ask."

Sunday's victory sent the Patriots to their sixth Super Bowl appearance in the last 14 years.

Tom Brady had three touchdown passes, while 2012 number one overall pick Andrew Luck failed to connect on 21 of his 33 passes, and had two interceptions.

The Patriots were infamously penalized for videotaping the New York Jets' sideline signals in a 2007 game. The team was fined $250,000 and lost their 2008 first-round pick, while Belichick had to cough up a hefty $500,000 for his role in the in the incident.