Patriots change their Facebook profile and cover photos: marketing teaser—or just fake news?

What likely happened (and why it’s not inherently a big deal)

Why rumor season kicks in

Common red flags that scream “fake”

How to verify in under two minutes (a practical checklist)

Plausible scenarios (from most to least likely)

Why this matters beyond one banner image

How the team typically plays it (and how fans can read the tea leaves)

Best practices for sharing (so you don’t boost a hoax)