FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — The N.F.L. likes portraying itself as one big family of owners, players and fans who, despite their differences, come together on game days.

Yet at the Super Bowl in Houston in two weeks, the N.F.L. may have no choice but to air a public and profound grudge on national television. If the New England Patriots defeat the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday as they are favored to do and go on to beat either the Atlanta Falcons or the Green Bay Packers for the title, the league commissioner, Roger Goodell, will have to present the Lombardi Trophy to Robert K. Kraft, the owner of the Patriots.

The moment would be delicious payback for Kraft, who is still simmering about the four-game suspension his quarterback, Tom Brady, served as a result of the cheating scandal known as Deflategate, after the underinflated footballs meant to give him a throwing advantage.

In spite — or, perhaps, because — of it all, New England went 14-2 this season and throttled the Houston Texans last week in its playoff opener.