In the 13 days without football leading up to the Superbowl, the sports media is bound to blow even the smallest story out of proportion.

This year, 11 deflated footballs and Bill Belichick have fallen victim. The result is being called ‘Deflate-gate.’

Following the New England Patriots dominating 45-7 win over the Indianapolis Colts in the AFC Championship, members of the Colts organization cried scandal.

Yes, the evil empire that is the New England Patriots has apparently struck again.

Responding to the controversy, the NFL found that 11 of the Patriots’ 12 game balls fell short of the required inflation of 12.5 to 13.5 pounds per square inch.

To further fuel the controversy, reporters have uncovered a 2011 radio interview in which Tom Brady suggested that he preferred a slightly-deflated ball.

Add this to an organization marred by Spygate and a curt, widely-disliked head coach, and the sports media has enough material to fill its 13 football-less days.

Ever since winning three Super Bowl championships in the span of four years, the Patriots have been disliked by fans of the other 31 teams in the NFL.

Of course this situation demands attention, as fairness is essential to any competition; however, in a game lost by nearly 40 points, the Colts have a lot more to worry about than a few flat footballs.

The Patriots defense gave up just seven points while running back LeGarrette Blount rushed for 148 yards and three touchdowns.

As New England cornerback Brandon Browner pointed out in a tweet: “[Blount] could’ve carried a beach ball.”

Deflate-gate does raise a valid issue, but it should not be drowning out coverage on the NFL’s most important story of the year: Super Bowl XLIX.