NFL

Don't go penciling in the Patriots for the Super Bowl just yet ... 'cause former star Broncos safety Justin Simmons says backup QB Jarrett Stidham's play will be every bit as good as Bo Nix's!

"This isn't a shot at anyone," Simmons told TMZ Sports. "There's going to be no drop off."

Of course, 25-year-old Nix went down on the second-to-last play of their overtime thriller against the Bills on Saturday ... thrusting 29-year-old Stidham into the spotlight, with a trip to Super Sunday on the line.

John Harbaugh was officially introduced as the head coach of the New York Giants on Tuesday ... and the 63-year-old admitted it felt "really great" to know the leader of the free world is on board with his hiring.

Harbaugh was asked about President Donald Trump's push for his employment during his first date with the N.Y. media ... and coach was well aware of the Jan. 10 endorsement via Truth Social.

"I'll tell ya, I also noticed on that post he said 'And John take the job,' so I thought John Mara had something to do with it," Harbaugh said.

Denver Broncos star Bo Nix was surrounded by support after he learned his season was over ... with his wife sharing a behind-the-scenes glimpse of the young quarterback after beating the Buffalo Bills on Saturday.

Nix's wife, Izzy, shared the image to her social media followers on Monday ... which shows the second-year signal-caller sitting on the floor with his right cleat removed.

As reported, Nix fractured his right ankle on the second-to-last play of the game ... meaning he will not be able to suit up for the remainder of the Broncos' Super Bowl run.

NFL officials did NOT blow the critical interception call during overtime of the Bills vs. Broncos game -- it was called correctly, full stop -- according to Dean Blandino, the league's former head of officiating.

"The Cooks' play I thought, ultimately, they got it right," Blandino, FOX Sports rules analyst and former Vice President of Officiating (2013-2017) told TMZ Sports.

Dean explained why, saying ... "Cooks' is going to the ground. He's gotta hold onto the ball when he lands. I thought the ball came loose immediately, McMillian ended up with it."

Some Buffalo Bills players are NOT happy with head coach Sean McDermott getting fired after nine seasons ... including defensive tackle, Jordan Phillips, who called the decision "stupid" and "sickening."

The NFL world is reacting in real time to McDermott losing his job following the Bills' Divisional Round loss to the Denver Broncos ... but Phillips' comments were by far the most filtered.

"This s*** here is so stupid honestly sickening," Phillips said on Instagram. "The best coach I've ever been around."

The Buffalo Bills are starting fresh next season -- they just fired head coach Sean McDermott.

The move comes fresh off the Bills' loss to the Broncos on Saturday -- a nail-biting overtime thriller that ended with Denver punching its ticket to the AFC Championship Game.

McDermott posted a 98-50 record on the Bills' sidelines since 2017 ... and went 8-8 in the postseason.

Marshall Faulk has one request for the Rams and Bears game -- the referees need to CHILL.

Yes, that's what the Super Bowl champ said to TMZ Sports before his former team, the Rams, face the Bears in freezing Chicago on Sunday for the NFL Divisional Round matchup.

"Here's what I hope for," Faulk started.

"I hope that the referees stay their ass out of the game. We don't need to see referees on TV as much. They've been too visible in these games. They're throwing too many flags, I know they wanna be seen, but they need to stay out of the game."

If Mike Tomlin's ready to put coaching behind him, Nate Burleson knows how to keep him busy in a different way ... telling TMZ Sports he's got all the "energy" for a TV job!

We caught up with the former NFL player-turned-analyst outside of CBS studios in New York City this week ... fresh off the news that Tomlin decided to part ways with the Steelers after 19 seasons.

Nearly two decades of coaching is a long run -- so we asked Nate if Tomlin should fully enjoy his time off ... or consider a TV gig while off the sidelines.

John Harbaugh's unemployment lasted just 11 days -- the Super Bowl-winning head coach is taking over the New York Giants.

The 63-year-old reportedly agreed to a five-year deal ... which will undoubtedly make him one of the highest-paid coaches in the NFL.

Harbaugh released a statement on the move ... saying, "It's the New York Football Giants."

Justin Herbert and Jaxson Dart might as well break up with their girlfriends now ... because a famed astrologist says their relationships aren't written in the stars.

Richard James -- host of the "StarCast Weekly" show -- starts out by breaking down the Los Angeles Chargers star QB's relationship with his pop star better half, Madison Beer ... which Richard says is unlikely to work out because they're both Pisces.

Plus, James isn't sure the two are sexually compatible ... arguing that because Herbo's Mars is in Aries, he's more sexually spontaneous ... while Madison might be a bit freakier but ultimately looking for something more long-term.

Olivia Culpo and Christian McCaffrey are officially setting the bar for first-time parents -- and proud grandpa Ed McCaffrey can’t stop bragging about them.

Ed tells TMZ Sports the former Miss Universe and San Francisco 49ers’ All-Pro running back are crushing parenthood with their five-month-old baby girl, Colette Annalise McCaffrey.

"We’re watching them go through it for the first time, and they're incredible parents," Ed said. "Olivia is just an unbelievable mom. She loves Colette so much, and she's there for her all day, every day. Feeding her, holding her ... she's killing it."

Even Christian is in the mix, learning the ropes and handling daddy duties throughout the NFL season … and the 49ers hope to keep playing after Saturday's NFC Divisional Round matchup with the Seattle Seahawks.

The Divisional Round of the NFL Playoffs are here ... and Pro Bowl quarterback Trent Green is breaking down each and every one of the games!

Green -- a Super Bowl champion -- joined Babcock to preview both Saturday and Sunday's matchups ... as the eight remaining teams battle for a chance to advance to the Conference Championship games.

The big weekend kicks off with the Bills travelling to Mile High for a tilt with the number one seed Broncos ... a game that Trent believes will come down to last year's Most Valuable Player.

"It's gonna be the quarterback play, and how they get it done. And how Denver's defense can try and slow down Josh Allen."

Saturday's second game will pit the 49ers against the Seahawks in Seattle.

It's a matchup that Green believes will come down to a few key points, including whether the Niners survive another big injury -- this time to star tight end George Kittle -- as well as the play of QB Sam Darnold and Seattle's feared defense.

Josh Allen might not admit it, but this is his year to win the Super Bowl ... so says ex-Bills receiver Stevie Johnson -- and it's all thanks to Patrick Mahomes sitting at home.

"Internally, he knows exactly what we know, like, there’s no Patrick Mahomes," Johnson said. "I don’t think he's worried about Joe Burrow or Lamar Jackson because he beat them a few times -- but it's just Mahomes in the playoffs. He's basically the reason why Josh was winless on the road."

The Bills and Chiefs have been familiar faces in the playoffs over the years ... but with Mahomes and Co. at home -- as well as Burrow's Bengals and Jackson's Ravens -- most folks are saying this is Allen's turn to take home the Lombardi Trophy.

The Bengals keeping Zac Taylor was the right move ... so says Adam "Pacman" Jones, who believes the team's struggles this past season aren't his fault -- it's all on the defense!!

TMZ Sports caught up with the former Bengals star in Los Angeles this week and asked whether the team made a mistake sticking with Taylor after a 6-11 season -- especially when there are some sexy names available this offseason.

"I don't think it's Zac Taylor's fault," Jones said. "The offense is scoring 30 points a game. Taylor call the offensive plays. We still been one of the top offenses."

If the Buffalo Bills need any help at receiver against the Denver Broncos this weekend, they can call a familiar face ... 'cause Stevie Johnson tells TMZ Sports he could rack up a "humble 40" yards -- and even score!!

The former wide receiver last suited up in 2015 ... but he explained his stance ahead of his old team's Divisional Round matchup with the top seed in the AFC.

"I would get at least four first downs before I get the hang of it," Johnson said. "Now if we're talking in the red zone, I can get three touchdowns -- fade, slant, that’s easy work. Just get up on 'em, create space and it’s money all day."

Sam Beal -- the former NY Giants CB who's been missing for the last seven months -- was locked up in jail for unpaid child support five months before his disappearance ... TMZ Sports has learned.

We're learning more about the months leading up to the disappearance of Beal, who was reported missing in early August 2025 ... and the new info includes the former NFLer spending some time behind bars.

According to his missing persons file, the Western Michigan alum was locked up from September 2024 to February 2025 ... after Michigan hit him with two charges for allegedly failing to make child support payments in 2024.