PHOENIX (AP) — Commissioner Roger Goodell says that even if no competitive advantage was gained, the New England Patriots could face increased penalties if the NFL investigation finds they violated rules by deflating footballs in the AFC championship game.

Goodell says at his annual pre-Super Bowl news conference Friday: "We have rules. We're a league of rules."

The league appointed lawyer Ted Wells to look into what happened to the Patriots' footballs during the 45-7 victory over the Colts that sent New England to the Super Bowl.

Patriots owner Robert Kraft has said he expects the investigation to determine his team did nothing wrong — and he expects an apology from the NFL.