Football

1:37 PM PT -- Philadelphia police tell TMZ Sports ... the driver of the 2016 black Mercedes Benz is now facing two charges -- one count of driving under the influence and one count of driving without a valid license.

As for the injured officer, the Philadelphia Police Dept. says the cop was transported to a nearby hospital in stable condition and is expected to be released soon.

A wild scene took place outside the Eagles vs. Rams playoff game Sunday ... an individual slammed into a cop car in an apparent attempt to avoid an arrest -- and it was all caught on video.

Notre Dame's early season loss to Northern Illinois didn't just shock the college football world -- it nearly killed Shane Gillis' dad!!!

The comedian and known ND fan revealed on "The Pat McAfee Show" on Monday his pops was so broken up over the Fighting Irish's stunning Sept. 7 NIU defeat ... he suffered a heart attack.

Thankfully, Gillis -- who was on the McAfee show previewing the Golden Domers' national championship matchup with Ohio State -- said Pops is doing well now.

Lamar Jackson was so pissed off after the Ravens' loss to the Bills on Sunday night ... he uncharacteristically unloaded a bunch of cuss words.

The Baltimore QB's expletive-laced rant came during his meeting with reporters following the Ravens' 27-25 defeat at Highmark Stadium in the AFC's Divisional Round.

Jackson was trying to explain why his team -- which was favored -- fell short in Buffalo ... and he said it was all due to miscues, like fumbles and interceptions.

Ryan Clark hoisted the Lombardi Trophy in 2009, but the highlight of his sports career has nothing to do with the Super Bowl -- that honor is reserved for his son's upcoming appearance in the 2025 National Championship game!

TMZ Sports spoke with RC days before the highly anticipated tilt between Notre Dame and Ohio State ... with a title up for grabs. Ryan's 23-year-old boy, Jordan Clark, is a safety for the Fighting Irish, and dad couldn't be any prouder.

"I'm just proud of what he's been able to accomplish," the 45-year-old former Pro Bowler said, "what him and his teammates have been able to do this year."

Taylor Swift and her man Travis Kelce are one step closer to the NFL's ultimate stage ... and, it looks like Taylor's made a new athletic friend, too!

The game ended moments ago ... with Kelce's team stomping the squad from H-Town 23-14.

Taylor was filmed throughout the game jumping up and cheering while sitting in her suite with close friends and family ... and, she even jumped up to hug WNBA star Caitlin Clark a few times.

There is no debate in Ed Reed's mind ... Lamar Jackson -- NOT Josh Allen -- is the NFL's MVP!!!

The Baltimore Ravens legend made it crystal clear to TMZ Sports this week he thinks Jackson should get the nod over Allen ... and it appears he doesn't think it's particularly close.

"Josh had a great year, no doubt," Reed said. "But he hasn't had Lamar's year. He's had an MVP year, but he hasn't had Lamar's year."

High school football star Brayden Jacobs committed to Clemson, and his dad, 2x Super Bowl champ Brandon Jacobs couldn’t be prouder ... and tells TMZ Sports his boy's success has only just begun!

Brandon -- who played nine seasons for the New York Giants -- says he's been training Brayden since he was seven ... 'cause his son always wanted to be a football player.

And, BJ is off to an impressive start.

If Jalen Hurts uses more of his arm and less of his legs on Sunday -- Isaac Bruce tells TMZ Sports Los Angeles will likely score another playoff win.

The former Rams superstar spoke with us about the massive Divisional Round tilt with the Eagles just days before it goes down at Lincoln Financial Field ... and he insisted that forcing Hurts to throw will be the key to victory.

Bruce told us if the Philadelphia signal-caller gets up into the range of 40 pass attempts ... it should result in a dub for his old squad.

2:40 PM PT -- Taylor made her way to her box ... cheering on her man from her normal suite -- alongside another famous companion, WNBA superstar Caitlin Clark.

Check it out ... Clark's sitting in the row behind Tay -- and, it looks like she's decked out in Chiefs red. She recently chatted with Travis and his bro Jason Kelce on their "New Heights" podcast ... so, not shocking she's cheering on her new pal.

Taylor Swift's heading into some cold weather in Kansas City today ... but, she's bringing the heat with her outfit to cheer on her man, Travis Kelce!

The Buffalo Bills' best player this weekend might just be Mother Nature -- because according to Andre Reed, the freezing temps could help his former team tremendously against the Ravens.

The massive playoff matchup will go down on Sunday at Orchard Park -- where weather experts are predicting temperatures to be in the teens.

While both squads are relatively familiar with that kind of chill -- Reed told TMZ Sports on Friday he thinks it'll benefit Buffalo far more.

Forget Rookie of the Year, Joe Theismann tells TMZ Sports Jayden Daniels might just be the NFL's MVP!!

The former Washington quarterback shoveled praise on the Commanders' current signal-caller during a sit-down with us this week ... saying the 22-year-old truly should be in consideration for the league's highest honor.

"Obviously I think he's a runaway choice for Rookie of the Year," Joe told us, "but I keep saying, 'Why not let him be considered for an MVP as well?' He's had that kind of year."

Calvin Johnson -- a guy who knows a thing or two about great wide receiver play -- is loving what Amon-Ra St Brown's doing this year ... telling TMZ Sports the Lions wideout is helping keep the NFC's top seed on track!

We caught up with the legendary Detroit receiver ahead of his former team's Divisional Round matchup against Jayden Daniels and the Commanders ... and he gushed over ASB.

He told us that while Dan Campbell deserves a whole lot of credit for getting things going in the Motor City ... it's St. Brown who's carried over the head coach's message onto the field.

A.J. Brown's gone from reading Jim Murphy's words to hearing them in person ... the Philadelphia Eagles superstar just had a face-to-face meeting with his favorite author!!

The get-together happened on Friday at the Eagles' NovaCare Complex -- less than a week after Brown sent the internet into a tizzy for reading Murphy's "Inner Excellence" on the bench of Philadelphia's 22-10 playoff win over Green Bay.

Murphy was reportedly in the building for an interview about Brown's now-viral moment ... and at least one journalist captured them chopping it up in a hallway.

Classy move from Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh ... he took time out of his busy schedule this week to thank wildfire first responders with a sweet meet-and-greet.

The 61-year-old headed up the PCH and dropped in on an LAFD base camp near the Palisades on Thursday night to express his gratitude for those battling the flames ... and check out some footage from his visit, it was awesome.

Harbaugh introduced himself to firefighters and officials with his full name and a handshake, despite the guys knowing exactly who he was.

A pair of Green Bay Packers legends are going to bat for Sterling Sharpe ... insisting this week the former wide receiver "absolutely" belongs in the Hall of Fame.

Both Brett Favre and LeRoy Butler made no bones about it during sit-downs with TMZ Sports this week ... saying the 59-year-old is more than deserving of a bust in Canton later this year.

Both -- who played with Sharpe in the 1990s -- actually seemed stunned it's still even a question ... with Butler telling us if Sharpe's seven-year career hadn't been cut short by injuries, "He'd be the G.O.A.T."

Denzel Ward loves his Cleveland Browns team, but he tells TMZ Sports it needs just one more thing to be competitive -- consistency at the quarterback position!!

The 27-year-old cornerback got candid with us out in New York City on Thursday ... openly admitting his team simply has to have better play from its signal-callers if it wants to get back to the playoffs anytime soon.

"I don't think we're too far off," Ward said. "We just need to solidify that position."