Super Bowl

Justin Timberlake's gonna have words with the audio guys, because they ruined his Super Bowl halftime performance.

JT hit the stage Sunday -- his first shot at redemption since the infamous Janet Jackson wardrobe malfunction -- and this go-around didn't go much better.

The singer was almost impossible to hear, sometimes muted and sometimes almost silent. Meanwhile, his backup singers could be heard crystal clear.

It's unclear if he knew the mic was wonky.

The halftime show should have been sponsored by Verizon ... and the answer is no.

The Philadelphia Eagles did the impossible with a backup QB -- they defeated Tom Brady to win Super Bowl LII ... and then melted their faces off in celebration.

Nick Foles and the rest of the Eagles soaked up the incredible victory Sunday after their 41-33 win over the New England Patriots, ahead of being presented with the Lombardi Trophy.

Some players hugged, others cried ... and some even did snow angels in the confetti on the field.

Meanwhile, Pats head coach Bill Belichick didn't seem too fazed by the loss ... dude's got 5 Super Bowl rings under his belt with Tom at the helm. He can afford to lose one.

Justin Timberlake followed through on his plan to honor Prince during his Super Bowl halftime show ... projecting a video of the late singer instead of a full-blown hologram.

JT paid tribute to Prince about halfway through the show with a partial cover of "I Would Die 4 U" -- during which Justin was on piano, and Prince's image appeared on a giant flowing sheet behind him.

As we reported ... Justin was expected to use a straight up hologram during the performance. We were later told it would simply be a video projection of Prince rather than a hologram ... and it looks like they stuck to that.

Prince's ex, Sheila E., and his brother, Omarr Baker, both objected to a Prince hologram and assured fans this weekend that one would not appear.

P!nk appears to have beaten the flu ... 'cause she just nailed the National Anthem for Super Bowl LII.

The pop singer was front and center Sunday to belt out the "Star-Spangled Banner" ahead of kickoff, and despite some earlier concerns about being able to perform due to catching the flu ... P!nk killed it on the mic.

As we reported ... P!nk was forecasting some potential trouble on Thursday during a rehearsal, saying she was praying she'd be able to get over some flu symptoms that were bogging her down.

Jonathan Casillas is putting his former teammate, Tom Brady, on the highest pedestal possible ... even though he doesn't think TB's a shoo-in to beat the Eagles.

We got the former New England Patriots linebacker (and current Giants starter) Sunday in Minneapolis ahead of Super Bowl LII, and asked if Tom had this game in the bag.

Von Miller almost didn't make it Super Bowl LII because his Uber ride broke down before he could even hit the road ... but luckily, the crisis was averted.

We got Von boarding an Uber Sunday in Minneapolis ahead of the big game between the Pats and Eagles, and his driver's car wouldn't start. The Broncos star wasn't about to sit around and miss the kickoff -- he bolted from the car and ordered himself a new one.

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.