Tom Brady's suspension was tabled last year but the US Appeals court has reinstated the suspension. Which means Brady is out for the New England Patriots first four games. This opens the door for plenty of more competition in the AFC, including from the Kansas City Chiefs who are one of the few best teams in the AFC.
BREAKING: US Appeals court reinstates New England Patriots' Tom Brady's suspension over 'deflategate' - Reuters
— CNBC Now (@CNBCnow) April 25, 2016
The Patriots first four games are against the Cardinals, Dolphins, Texans and Bills.
On the one hand, this is a big freakin' deal. Brady is probably the most popular or most famous player in the NFL and he will be suspended. I honestly can't believe the league is pushing this so hard. Whatever happened with those balls doesn't warrant a four-game suspension and years of court battles. This is crazy.
On the other hand, it's just four games. Even if the Patriots went 0-4 in that stretch, who is voting against Brady coming back in Week 5 and leading the Patriots to the playoffs? I wouldn't.
So while it's a big deal and opens the door for more competition in the AFC, it's not game over for the Patriots. Maybe this means that the Chiefs-Patriots playoff game will be at Arrowhead this year and not Gillette.