TEMPE, Ariz. — The NFL announced on Saturday that it is still investigating the allegations that the New England Patriots intentionally deflated the footballs they used in their win over the Indianapolis Colts in the AFC Championship Game last week.

Speaking for the first time since he arrived in Arizona to take on the Patriots in Super Bowl XLIX, Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman was pretty skeptical about the Patriots being disciplined, even if they are found guilty.

"Will they be punished? Probably not," Sherman said on Sunday. "Not as long as (New England Patriots owner) Robert Kraft and (NFL commissioner Roger) Goodell are taking pictures at their respective homes. I think he was just at Kraft's house last week for the NFC Championship. Talk about conflict of interest."

The accusations that the Patriots intentionally deflated footballs, giving quarterback Tom Brady an advantage, is the second scandal that has plaqued the team since 2007, when they were caught videotaping the hand signals of opposing defenses.

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"I think the perception is the reality. It is what it is," Sherman said . "Their resume speaks for itself. You talk about getting close to the line. ... I don't really have a comment about that, but their past is what their past is, their present is what their present is."

The Patriots' present is now being under investigation, a probe by the NFL that Patriots head coach Bill Belichick is confident will end with the accusations being washed away.

An outcome that Sherman agreed with — but not for the same reason. Sherman kept harping on the buddy-buddy relationship between the commissioner and an owner.

"As long as that happens, it won't affect them at all," Sherman said. "It looks like nothing will."

Eliot Shorr-Parks may be reached at eshorrpa@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @EliotShorrParks. Find NJ.com Sports on Facebook.