Super Bowl

Super Bowl LII is shaping up to look a little bit like a militarized zone based on all the armed security running around Minneapolis ... with Humvees and whatnot.

Homeland Security's got their Special Response Team on the ground in and around U.S. Bank Stadium -- where the big game will be played Sunday night.

From the looks of these pics, HS staffers are strapped and ready to respond to anything ... with bulletproof vests, walkies and Humvees at their disposal. Makes sense ... big events like this have become targets for attacks as of late -- think Vegas, Manchester, etc.

Better safe than sorry.

Hollywood seems torn about who they'll be rooting for this Super Bowl Sunday ... literally, this thing's split right down the middle.

We got a handful of celebs and athletes this weekend and asked them the same thing that's on everyone's mind for Super Bowl LII -- Pats or Eagles?

Anthony Scaramucci doesn't hesitate with his pick. Meanwhile, Donnie Wahlberg appears to waffle a bit before confirming his prediction ... no real surprise there.

Other stars who weighed in include Seahawks OT Duane Brown, ex-Pats defensive coordinator Rob Ryan, Joe Walsh ... and, of course, Lil Uzi Vert.

Justin Timberlake's good looks are full-time!

Here's a 18-year-old version of the 'NSYNC standout rocking curly locks back in 1999 (left) and 19 years later ... the Super Bowl LII halftime hunk -- who just celebrated his 37th birthday -- doing a Press Conference in Minneapolis earlier this week (right).

Man of the Woods.

The question is ...

Bad news for Nick Foles -- the Denver Broncos ain't interested ... this according to Broncos legend Terrell Davis.

We got TD in Minnesota for the Super Bowl ... and it was clear the Hall of Famer didn't think the Eagles' incumbent QB has done enough to warrant interest from his boy, Broncos GM John Elway, this offseason.

"You gotta look at the body of work. He's having a good playoffs, but you can't just take a few games ... matter of fact, he's only had one good game so far," Terrell told TMZ Sports, talking about Foles' explosion vs. the Vikings.

Janet Jackson won't be teaming up with Justin Timberlake during the Super Bowl halftime show to call back to their infamous "Nipplegate" performance, because she won't be there ... TMZ has officially confirmed.

Janet tells TMZ ... "To put to rest any speculation or rumors as to whether I will be performing at the Super Bowl tomorrow: I will not."

She adds .. "Thank you for your support and I do look forward to seeing you all very soon."

Timberlake said in a press conference earlier this week that Janet wouldn't be taking the stage with him ... but now we know for certain.

P!nk's got the flu -- the nasty flu that's been spreading and intensifying this season -- and her illness could keep her from singing "The Star-Spangled Banner" on Super Bowl Sunday.

Sources close to Super Bowl LII production tell TMZ ... P!nk had a really tough time making it through her rehearsal Thursday night. We're told it didn't go smoothly ... and everyone involved didn't feel good when it was over.

There's more cause for concern too -- P!nk managed to power through her pre-Super Bowl concert Friday at The Armory in Minneapolis ... but had to rely to backup singers and the audience often to sing for her.

She even had to cut off her track "Beautiful Trauma" shortly after starting, telling the crowd, "I can't do it. I hate this ... I can't do that song. I'm sorry."

The singer assured fans she's trying to fight through her illness and "practice the flu away," but as we know ... the flu's hit hard this year and takes a few days to recover ... even with rest. And it doesn't seem like P!nk's resting too much.

Still, she says she promises she's going to do her best.

Rob Gronkowski's dad isn't concerned about his son's head or health heading into the Super Bowl, telling TMZ Sports ... Gronk's fine, focused and ready to go!!!

He also put on a one-man dance show with wild friends chanting his name -- standard Gronk family swagger.

We got Gordon Gronkowski -- aka "Big G" -- heading into the Leather and Laces Party in Minnesota Friday night more than ready to have a good time ... and he doesn't even hint there's any reason to think his son's not going to have a great game

Patriots Nation's been uneasy all week about Gronk's status for Sunday -- since he just got medically cleared Thursday following a concussion in the AFC Championship -- but Big G says there's no reason to worry.

Justin Timberlake's been rehearsing his ass off for the Super Bowl LII halftime show, and TMZ has the first video ... which gives you a sneak peek of what's about to go down.

Sooo, HERE'S YOUR LAST WARNING ... SPOILERS AHEAD!!!

Sources inside rehearsal tell us JT did 4 run-throughs, just on Thursday. We're told one was a dress rehearsal that was taped for emergency ... just in case anything happens to JT and he can't perform.

This video is from one of his Thursday sessions, and one thing's for sure ... there's gonna be a TON of fireworks inside the U.S. Bank Stadium.

Our sources also reveal there are no 'NSYNC or Janet Jackson cameos planned ... so anyone hoping for a reunion or redemption ... you can pretty much abandon all hope.

HOWEVER, we're told Justin does have one pretty cool trick up his sleeve -- a hologram to honor ... wait for it ... Prince, in his hometown.

Of course, plans and strategies can change ... but an overhaul at this point seems unlikely.

Al Pacino, one of the great actors of all time, was IMPRESSED by our photog's homage ... seriously!!!

Dante spotted Al Friday leaving E Baldi in Bev Hills, and he surrendered his camera to someone and put it all out there ... first doing a bit from "Any Given Sunday" and then doing a more-than-respectable "Scarface." Check it out ... Al gave his seal of approval.

Speaking of this given Sunday ... Al seems pretty damn unimpressed by the Super Bowl.

P!nk's cleavage and Donald Trump's Twitter fingers can both get you PAID during this year's Super Bowl ... if you're willing to throw down some bread on prop bets!

There are a ton of wild wagers on the big game ... and, like they've done in the past with Lady Gaga, Beyonce and Katy Perry, BetOnline.ag is letting fans risk it all on whether P!nk's girls show up during the national anthem.

Right now ... the chances that they make an appearance aren't great.

Yes +260
No -350

Want better odds? Trust in POTUS... it's almost even money Trump fires off 5+ tweets on Sunday!!

Over 5 1/2 tweets +100
Under 5 1/2 tweets -130

Some other gems ...

-- Which quarter the announcers first mention Trump

-- Whether or not Justin Timberlake rocks a beard

-- The color of Bill Belichick's shirt (read: hoodie)

If ya still ain't sure where to put your money ... we also got some tips from Sportsbook Review betting experts Jimmy the Bag and Peter Loshak.

Joey Fatone is itching to collect $1k from our photog, who bet him that 'N Sync will take the stage with Justin Timberlake during the halftime show at the Super Bowl.

We got Joey Friday night at the Leather and Laces Party in Minneapolis and he's stickin' with his story that Justin will perform solo, although he's not ruling out a surprise appearance by Janet Jackson.

Joey offers evidence ... singers who perform for a billion people typically don't go out and party 2 days before the big game.

Lonnie Ali flew into Minnesota Friday, presumably for the Super Bowl, and as good as Tom Brady is ... she clearly thinks the title "The Greatest" belongs to her late husband Muhammad Ali.

Lonnie acknowledges Tom's kind of the shiny bright object of the moment, but putting him in a larger context -- he's not at the level of Ali.

She does acknowledge ... the book isn't closed yet on Brady, and he could ascend to greater heights, especially if he does great things outside football.

Rae Sremmurd doesn't give a damn about watching football -- so what's the one thing Swae Lee wants to see on Sunday??

"A titty comin' out like Janet Jackson!"

We got Swae and Slim Jxmmi touching down in Minny for the Super Bowl -- or maybe just the halftime show ... 'cause when we asked about SBLII, they seemed WAY more hyped on Justin Timberlake's set.

Specifically, a Nipplegate sequel.

"That was like the most epic Super Bowl, in my lifetime at least," Swae -- who was 10 when JT famously exposed Janet's breast on live TV -- told TMZ Sports.

Good news for Swae -- the NFL told us JJ is NOT banned from the Big Game.

Kevin Hart pulled a great escape Friday ... narrowly dodging a passenger train!

For one scary second, it looked like Kev might become the first casualty of the Super Bowl LII events in and around Minneapolis. We got him leaving Cowboy Jack's in downtown, and started talking about the "Martin" reboot. Kevin was so excited to talk about it ... neither he, nor our photog, noticed the light rail train coming down the tracks.

Watch his security team spring into action, but really ... you gotta watch for the look on Kevin's face when he hears the train's horn sound.

If President Donald Trump decides to take a last minute trip to the Super Bowl -- don't expect Minneapolis mayor Jacob Frey to lead the welcoming party!

For those unfamiliar ... 36-year-old Frey has made headlines for speaking his mind -- most recently when he made a video in which he asked if the city was really welcoming "f**king Eagles" fans to Minnesota.

So we asked if he would welcome Trump, too ... the answer? Not so much.

Frey did, however, say his dream celebrity meet-and-greet would be Snoop Dogg -- saying a Gin and Juice session with the rapper is on his bucket list!

... Unless Snoop suddenly becomes an Eagles fan.

Le'Veon Bell says he doesn't wanna play anywhere but Pittsburgh ... but he wants a long-term deal ASAP 'cause the whole process is wearin' him out.

"I just wanna get a deal done. I'm tired of having to deal with this every year," Le'Veon told TMZ Sports at EA Sports' Pre-Super Bowl party in Minny.

Remember -- Bell skipped the entire preseason 'cause he wanted the Steelers to pay him what he's worth. Ultimately, he ended his holdout and signed the franchise tag for $12 mil.

But good news for Steelers fans -- the superstar RB told us they're "in a better spot" with negotiations than last offseason ... so stay tuned.