I don't think the outcome of the Superbowl will make any difference in how fans will perceive the Patriots. More allegations have arisen that a videographer employed by the Patriots recorded the St Louis Rams as they went through their final practice before Superbowl 36.

The punishment the NFL handed down earlier this season was open-ended. Meaning, the commissioner made it clear that if it happened again OR if the team wasn't forthcoming about other past cheating that he would revisit the issue and enhance the punishment. With Congress asking questions, that may happen sooner than later.

It clearly wasn't news in NFL circles that New England had resorted to intercepting signals from their opponents and using it against them. It took one of their former coaches -- who presumably knew what the Patriots were willing to do to win -- to blow the whistle on the Patriots.

It's clear that wasn't the first time because Eric Mangini knew about it. How much did the team give the NFL that the league destroyed? And was it really everything? What has the league done to verify that independently? They obviously haven't talked with Matt Walsh, who worked in the Patriots' video department. He says he has plenty to talk about. Who wants to listen -- NFL, Congress, the Patriots, the Patriots' fans?

One thing is certain whether the Patriots win or not. Nobody accused the unbeaten 1972 Dolphins of cheating.