Los Angeles Rams

Forget the records ... the Bears are better than the Rams, Chiefs AND Patriots -- so says legendary coach Mike Ditka.

Of course, Mike's biased ... dude played for Chicago and then coached the Bears -- but he tells TMZ Sports there's MAYBE only one team in the league better than them right now.

"I look at this team and I look at the Saints, and these are the two best teams I've watched this year."

That means Mike's got the 7-3 Bears over the 9-1 Rams, the 9-1 Chiefs, the 7-3 Pats and even the 7-2-1 Steelers.

"People who say it's fool's gold, I mean, what's it going to take?"

Now, Mike's not going crazy with this squad ... he still doesn't believe the defense compares to the legendary one he coached back in '85 -- but he is saying they've got a real shot at a ring this season.

"Barring injuries, they certainly have the talent on that football team to go on to the Super Bowl and win it."

Aqib Talib didn't just have the best seats in the house for Tuesday night's Rockets-Nuggets game ... dude got the dopest souvenir ever too -- James Harden's game-used jersey!!!

The L.A. Rams -- in town 'cause they wanted to practice at altitude to prep for their now-moved Mexico City game (more on that later) -- popped by the Pepsi Center to catch some hoops.

Dudes like Talib, Todd Gurley, Jared Goff and Marcus Peters were all courtside ... but for some reason -- Harden decided Talib was most worthy of the post-game swag.

The Bearded One even signed it ... and Talib loved it, saying, "That courtside drip, you feel me?! That's authentic. It's still sweaty. That thing still sweaty, straight off the court!"

L.A. was set to face the Chiefs next Monday night in Estadio Azteca, and was trying to hit up Colorado Springs all week to prep for the altitude in Mexico's capital.

But, since recent Mexico City concerts tore up the field ... the game got moved back to L.A. -- which appears to mean the Rams will head home soon.

Don't feel too bad for at least one of the Rams superstars for leaving the game empty-handed -- Gurley was still rockin' the sick diamond pendant YG gifted to him this week!!

The L.A. Rams are giving the Thousand Oaks community something to cheer about in the wake of the recent tragedies ... donating tickets to their next home game to those affected by the bar shooting and wildfires.

The "Monday Night Football" matchup with the K.C. Chiefs was supposed to go down in Mexico City ... before poor field conditions brought the game back to L.A.

There was a massive concert at the game's original venue -- Estadio Azteca -- just last week ... and judging by the pics, there was no way the field would've been fixed in time.

The Rams are taking it as an opportunity to bring the city together ... and announced thousands of tickets will go to "first responders who are bravely protecting the greater Los Angeles community, as well as people who have been impacted by our community’s recent tragedies.."

YG is so happy with the way Todd Gurley and the Rams are playing this season ... dude just had to say thanks to the running back -- WITH A DOPE NEW CHAIN!!!

The superstar rapper is a huge L.A. Rams fan -- and with the team off to one of its best starts in franchise history ... YG hit up Jason Of Beverly Hills to get the squad's best player a present.

We're told YG had 4 "4 Hunnid" pendants made ... with nearly 3 carats of flawless white diamond in each -- and gifted one of them to Gurley before L.A.'s win over the Seahawks on Sunday.

Gurley was pretty stoked about the present ... writing on his IG with a pic of the new chain -- "thank you brother."

Unclear how much YG dropped on the gift ... but Jason tells us, "He's a really great friend. I need to have more friends like that."

Is Jay-Z's battle with the NFL over?

Hova -- one of the biggest critics of the league's treatment of Colin Kaepernick -- took in the Rams vs. Seahawks game from the sidelines over the weekend, which has some fans confused.

If you remember, Jay famously turned down performing at the Super Bowl halftime show on behalf of Kaep, then boasted about dissing the league on his song, "Apes**t."

The video featured people kneeling during Jay's verse, so it's obvious his stance was about Kaepernick, who still doesn't have an NFL job. So, why the sudden change of heart?

We should say ... Mr. Carter has never ACTUALLY said he's boycotting watching games, or attending them, but he definitely wanted the entire world to know he was anti-NFL, and it seems at least for now that's in the past.

One possible explanation is that he was there to personally support a Roc Nation Sports client, Rams RB Todd Gurley, who's playing so well right now (he rushed for 120 yards and a TD) maybe Jay just HAD to see him in person.

Really though, the guy has been that good ...

Jared Goff and his teammates are devastated by the bar shooting that left 12 people dead just miles from the team's headquarters ... with some players vowing to help in any way possible.

FYI -- the L.A. Rams practice facility in Thousand Oaks is just 5 miles from the Borderline Bar & Grill, where David Ian Long opened fire around 11:20 PM on Wednesday.

Goff spoke out about the tragedy on Thursday ... saying "Heartbroken for our community. Thinking about everyone involved as well as friends and family of the victims. Keep them in your thoughts and prayers."

Offensive lineman Andrew Whitworth added ... "I’m just sorry to those affected. I don’t have words that I feel can help. But I promise to find a way to help support our community through this tragedy!"

The team released a statement saying, "The Los Angeles Rams organization is heartbroken by the horrific shooting that took place last night in our community of Thousand Oaks."

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims, their families and our entire community."

Punter Johnny Hekker ... "Praying comfort and healing to those affected by this senseless shooting. Thank you to the first responders who put their lives on the line to protect and serve us every day."

"Thousand Oaks is my home; I will do everything in my power to help those in need of support."

Cooper Kupp added, "Heartbroken. Thoughts and prayers are with the people of this community, and those that have lost loved ones."

The L.A. Chargers also shared condolences ... "We are deeply saddened by the terrible news coming out of Thousand Oaks this morning."

Question: How do you block the Rams' D-line now that it's added Dante Fowler to the mix??

Answer: YOU DON'T!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

At least, that's what Todd Gurley's saying ... 'cause when we got the Rams superstar out in L.A. after his squad added the ex-Jags' pass-rusher -- he gushed over the former top-5 pick.

"I like Dante Fowler, man," Gurley says ... "He's the best!"

Then ... T.G. told us exactly how O-linemen can block his defense's front now.

"YOU CAN'T!!!"

Aaron Donald, Michael Brockers, Ndamukong Suh AND Fowler?? Yeah, Todd ain't wrong.

All 4 of the guys are former 1st-round NFL Draft picks -- and Donald is currently leading the NFL with 10 sacks.

The Rams got 24-year-old Fowler from the Jacksonville Jaguars in a trade on Tuesday -- the Jags will get the Rams' 2019 3rd round draft pick and the 2020 5th round pick.

Fowler will become an unrestricted free agent after this season.

Fowler has a ton of talent but has had a bunch of off-the-field issues ever since he was drafted back in 2015.

Maybe the only guy happier than Todd Gurley after the Rams game Sunday -- YG ... 'cause the rap star WENT OFF on his way out of the stadium -- trollin' every Packers fan he could find!!!

Gurley, Jared Goff and L.A. rolled to their 8th straight win, beating Green Bay, 29-27 ... and YG was there to take it all in -- and made sure Pack fans knew about the "L" afterward.

"WHOSE HOUSE?!?!! RAMS HOUSE!!!!" YG screamed on his way to the parking lot.

The rapper didn't stop there ... yelling at every cheesehead in attendance to tell Aaron Rodgers to go back to Wisconsin.

BTW ... the "Big Bank" spitter ain't a bandwagon fan -- dude's been there all season ... remember when he celebrated a TD with Robert Woods in Week 4??

The LAPD has reached out to several L.A. Dodgers stars -- including Yasiel Puig, Justin Turner and Clayton Kershaw -- to make sure their homes are protected during the World Series ... unlike last year.

Remember, Puig's home was hit by burglars during Game 7 of the 2017 World Series -- and cops have said the suspects specifically targeted the place because they knew he'd be at Dodger Stadium at the time.

L.A. Rams wide receiver Robert Woods was also hit by burglars during a Rams game this year -- cops believe the suspects are the same crew of burglars that hit Puig.

Even though cops made multiple arrests, they still believe some of the suspects are on the loose, and they're concerned about copycats and other crime crews. Bottom line -- they don't want to take any chances this time around.

Law enforcement sources tell us ... LAPD officials have reached out to MLB security, agents for the players, personal assistants and other personnel in the hopes of protecting the homes of Dodgers players and staffers.

We're told cops are working with the players to make sure home security systems are up to snuff and, in some cases, additional security personnel are watching their houses.

And, cops will continue to make extra patrols in the neighborhoods where the players live.

Ricky Williams says there's no doubt about it -- Todd Gurley is a better running back than he ever was!!

High praise coming from the former Heisman Trophy winner who played 12 seasons in the NFL and was a 1st-team All-Pro in 2002.

But, after Gurley's 208-yard, 2-TD show against the Broncos on Sunday ... Ricky tells TMZ Sports there's just no argument.

"He's better. He's better," Williams says. "He's better than I was."

What makes Ricky say that?? Dude tells us T.G.'s simply more complete than he ever was -- especially as a receiver.

We also asked Ricky about a guy he played with a bunch during his career, Drew Brees -- and Williams had some high praise for him too ... saying he's a top 5 QB of ALL TIME!!!

Kurt Warner and Marshall Faulk ain't gonna like this ...

The ex-head coach of the original 'Greatest Show On Turf' Rams says this year's version is better ... AND more explosive!!!

"They're close," Dick Vermeil tells TMZ Sports. "But, I really think you'd have to say that this team overall might be a little better."

Of course, there were three versions of the 'GSOT' Rams ... coached by Vermeil in 1999 -- and then by Mike Martz in 2000 and 2001.

But, they were all badass ... with Warner and Faulk leading the way -- and potential Hall of Famers like Isaac Bruce and Torry Holt streaking down the sidelines too.

Yet when Vermeil crunched the numbers for us ... and compared them to Jared Goff, Todd Gurley and the guys in L.A. now -- he says this 2018 team wins.

LeBron James has beefed up security at his L.A. home in a major way -- bringing a team of armed guards to patrol his house after learning he was targeted by a team of burglars.

As we previously reported ... the LAPD arrested 4 people who had hit more than 24 homes of the rich and famous, including Yasiel Puig, Rihanna, Christina Milian and others.

Cops say the bad guys had a list of 12 more celebrity targets -- including LeBron, Matt Damon and Viola Davis.

We're told LeBron is taking the situation very seriously -- he's got a wife and 3 kids at home -- and is taking every possible measure to protect his family.

Sources tell us ... Bron has at least 10 armed security personnel at the home -- including off-duty police officers. We're told the NBA's security team is also involved in the security plans.

L.A. Rams star Robert Woods -- whose home was burglarized -- is also working with the NFL security team to ensure his safety as well.

Cops say they believe there are more people involved in the burglary crews -- and they're asking the public for leads to track down the additional suspects.

L.A. Rams wide receiver Robert Woods might be close to getting his stuff back ... cops have made an arrest in his burglary case.

TMZ Sports broke the story ... Woods' San Fernando Valley pad was broken into Thursday while he was gone -- because he was busy destroying the Minnesota Vikings defense on "Thursday Night Football."

Law enforcement sources tell us ... cops investigating the burglary pulled over a suspect they believed was connected to it Friday, and found items belonging to the Rams WR in his car.

We're told the alleged burglar had other stolen items in his vehicle as well ... so he's being investigated for multiple burglaries in the area.

As we first reported ... cops believe Woods' burglary -- as well as the burglaries at Dodgers slugger Yasiel Puig's house -- are far from random. Police think they're being targeted by crooks because they're pro athletes ... so it's easy to know when they won't be home because they're at their games.

Hopefully, Puig will get some of Woods' good fortune soon ... especially since he's been burglarized FOUR times.

The war at the Coliseum wasn't just on the field Thursday night -- a bunch of fans got into a brawl in the stands ... with one guy getting tossed over several rows of bleachers!!

The standoff began just before the end of the 1st half ... a Rams fan got into it with several Vikings fans.

You can see the Rams fan smack a female Vikings fan in the face ... and then it gets crazy.

Punches are thrown, a beer gets tossed, a woman gets her hair pulled (hard!) and then the Rams fan grabs a dude ... and FLINGS HIM OVER 4 ROWS OF BLEACHERS!

The video is nuts -- and the guy who was tossed is lucky he wasn't seriously injured. In fact, he got up and continued to scream at the dude who chucked him.

We're told security responded and removed several of the combatants from the stadium. Unclear if any arrests were made.

JOE BUCK SAYS THE RAMS ARE GOING TO THE SUPER BOWL!!!

Nah, just kidding ... but he really likes 'em.

The "NFL on FOX" play-by-play guy called the Rams game on Thursday night at the Coliseum in L.A. -- and was clearly impressed when he hit up Craig's for dinner after the game.

When we asked if Rams fans should have Super Bowl expectations after their 4th straight win, Buck answered, "They should."

DAMN RIGHT THEY SHOULD!!!

"I think they're good," Buck added ... "They're REALLY good."

Buck also showed love to Jared Goff -- who gunned his way through the Vikings like he was a blonde Deadpool mixed with John Wick multiplied by Schwarzenegger in "Commando" (throwback).

Oh, and did you hear what Todd Gurley said about the Rams after the game?

"Nah, we can't be beat right now. No ifs, ands or buts about it."

L.A. Rams wide receiver Robert Woods had a GREAT night on Thursday -- until he got home ... and saw his home had been broken into while he was playing the Vikings, TMZ Sports has learned.

Woods caught 5 passes for 101 yards and a TD in the Rams victory over Minnesota at the Coliseum in L.A. Clearly, somebody knew he would be out of the house (the game was nationally televised) and burglarized Robert's San Fernando Valley pad.

We're told when Woods returned to his home after the game, he called police -- but since no alarm was set, it's unclear exactly when the burglary took place. It appears the intruder entered through a back window. Sources say cops and Woods are trying to put together a list of what was taken.

The situation appears to be similar to Yasiel Puig -- who also lives in the Valley. His home was hit while he was playing a game at Dodger Stadium earlier this month.

Woods is from Los Angeles -- he went to high school in Gardena and played college ball at USC.

Story developing ...