They also pulled off ineligible recievergate, and a new rule put in place as a result.
http://www.baltimoreravens.com/news...er-Trick/aa52588d-47ff-4b0b-9bf5-65d759694c93
"Owners have banned the Patriots’ ineligible receiver trick they used against the Ravens in the AFC divisional playoffs.
While the Patriots contended immediately after the game – and once again at the owners meetings – that they did nothing against the rules during the game, the league’s coaches and owners felt it shouldn’t be allowed going forward."
This would be considered smart, perhaps, if not for the pattern of pushing rules and breaking them.
Whatever hate they are getting right now in the media and with fans is well deserved and brought on by themselves.