New England Patriots

Blake Bortles is no joke ... despite what Jadeveon Clowney thinks -- so says Broncos DB Bradley Roby who thinks the Jaguars QB has a real shot to beat the Patriots.

He's just gonna have to outsmart one of the greatest minds in the history of professional football to do it ... Bill Belichick.

Roby picked off Bortles for a TD when they squared off last year (as he was quick to remind us!) -- and says Belichick will be just as prepared when they square off on Sunday.

Still, Roby thinks Bortles has a real shot to establish himself as an elite QB if he can outduel Tom Brady ... but it ain't gonna be easy.

Tom Brady says he "loved" Jimmy Garoppolo -- and absolutely did NOT strongarm the Patriots into trading him to the 49ers because he felt Jimmy was a threat.

TB12 went off about the allegations during an interview with WEEI's "Kirk & Callahan" -- essentially calling BS on the ESPN article that described a major rift in the Patriots organization.

When asked specifically if his fitness guru/business associate, Alex Guerrero, refused to treat Garoppolo and even locked him out of Brady's training facility, Tom responded, "It is so far from the truth that I know."

He also shot down several other points from the article -- including having a fractured relationship with Bill Belichick and being pissed over not winning a team award.

The bombshell ESPN report detailing a rift between the top guys in the Patriots organization is a "non-story" designed to distract the team from another title ... so says Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy.

"Everyone's always trying to take down the king," Portnoy tells TMZ Sports.

FYI, Portnoy is a massive Pats fan -- but he's clearly not concerned about the alleged infighting.

He does however reveal the one guy who should go if push comes to shove between Brady, Belichick and Robert Kraft (Hint: It ain't Brady).

One more thing ... Portnoy is a hardcore pizza connoisseur (you've probably seen his Barstool Pizza Reviews) -- so we had to ask which pizza joint is the BEST in the Big Apple.

Comedian Anthony Jeselnik is a HUGE Steelers fan ... so how does he feel about the ESPN report claiming Tom Brady, Bill Belichick and Robert Kraft are beefing behind the scenes?

"I take great pleasure (in it)," Jeselnik told TMZ Sports.

But the former "Last Comic Standing" host ain't saying it's game over for New England.

In fact, he told us a little infighting is common with great teams like Michael Jordan's Bulls ... and he fully expects Brady and co. to keep kickin' ass.

Not even Tom Brady was spared from Rob Gronkowski's comedy crosshairs in his Showtime stand-up special ... with the Patriots tight end joking TB12 would be a Super Bowl loser without Gronk!

It's all in good fun ... but still pretty funny to hear Gronk take on Brady during his set in "Unsportsmanlike Comedy with Rob Gronkowski," which debuts Friday.

Among the highlights ... Gronk says he's never been to Tom's mansion, clowns Tom's diet and jokes about maybe playing until he's 40 one day, just like Tom.

He personally knows all 3 guys ... and now former Patriots tight end Jermaine Wiggins says reports of trouble between Brady, Belichick and Kraft should be met with "both middle fingers up."

Wiggins not only won Super Bowl XXXVI with the Pats -- but he still does sports radio in Boston and is very close with the Patriots organization.

Tom Brady, Bill Belichick and Robert Kraft have united to call BS on an ESPN report that their relationship has been fractured ... calling the report "unsubstantiated."

In a joint statement, the 3 most powerful members of the Patriots organization said:

"For the past 18 years, the three of us have enjoyed a very good and productive working relationship. In recent days, there have been multiple media reports that have speculated theories that are unsubstantiated, highly exaggerated or flat out inaccurate."

"The three of us share a common goal. We look forward to the enormous challenge of competing in the postseason and the opportunity to work together in the future, just as we have for the past 18 years."

Pats' owner Robert Kraft was chattin' with TMZ Sports and hanging with fans hours before ESPN published a report about alleged issues with Tom Brady and Bill Belichick ... but Kraft didn't seem worried.

In fact, he was smiling and letting a hotel valet take pics with his Super Bowl ring at Chateau Marmont on the Sunset Strip ... and endorsing Steph Curry and Diddy as future NFL owners.

Of course, over in Bristol, ESPN was finalizing a report alleging a fractured relationship between Brady, Belichick and Kraft ... and questioning if the legendary dynasty has reached "the beginning of the end."

As for the report, ESPN essentially says the 3 are having major disagreements over Tom Brady's personal trainer, Belichick's coaching style and the future of the Patriots franchise.

Kraft obviously knew the report was coming ... but didn't seem fazed one bit.

Ladies and gentlemen, give it up for the comedic stylings ... of Rob Gronkowski!

The New England Patriots tight end -- who's dabbled in comedy before -- is launching his own comedy special called, "Unsportsmanlike Comedy with Rob Gronkowski" ... which debuts Friday on Showtime.

Gronk will do some stand-up -- and host a handful of other comedians including John Caparulo and ex-SNL cast member Finesse Mitchell.

Looks like there will also be some chicks dressed as refs ... if refs wore striped bathing suits.

Gronk roasted David Ortiz last year in Boston ... so, he's got some experience.

Remember to tip your waitress.

Jonathan Vilma ain't mincing words when it comes to the Patriots' James Harrison pickup ... saying Steelers intel is "definitely" the only reason Deebo's in New England.

"(Bill) Belichick doesn't need their playbook -- he's like 5-0 against them," Vilma told TMZ Sports at LAX. "What he needs is just the little things."

Jonathan gave us some examples of what those things might be ... and we gotta say, the Saints legend sounds like he knows what he's talking about.

Mark Wahlberg is PUMPED his New England Patriots signed James Harrison -- and he made a video straight from his boat welcoming the ex-Steelers star to the squad.

"Did you hear the news?" Wahlberg asked his wife, Rhea ... "James Harrison is a Patriot? Oh my. Defense just got a lot better."

He added, "Isn't it nice that [Tom Brady] got away without getting hit by him in the playoffs and possibly the AFC Championship?"

"Go Patriots. Go James Harrison."

Nick Young says it's painfully obvious why the Patriots are so damn successful -- the NFL's CHEATING FOR THEM.

On the same night as his accidental Iggy Azalea reunion, we also got Swaggy P to weigh in on the controversial Pats-Steelers ending from last Sunday.

Young told us Pittsburgh got screwed on the overturned TD call ... not like it surprised him.

"Yeah man, they got cheated," Young told TMZ Sports. "They always cheat for the Patriots ... they can't do no wrong."

Swaggy even speculated the NFL might have its own Tim Donaghy problem ... saying gambling probably played a role in the Pats getting the W.

Claudia Jordan's taking a serious shot at Ben Roethlisberger before his Steelers take on her Patriots this Sunday ... pointing to past sexual assault allegations against the QB.

"Steelers, your quarterback is very questionable. He should be in jail," Claudia told TMZ Sports outside Delilah in L.A.

Remember -- Big Ben was accused of sexual assault by two separate women in 2008 and 2010 ... but no criminal charges were brought against him in either case.

But, the former 'Real Housewives of Atlanta' star clearly ain't buying Roethlisberger's innocence.

One more reason to either love or hate the New England Patriots ... steamin' hot pics of Danny Amendola's unfairly gorgeous girlfriend, Olivia Culpo.

You might LOVE the Pats 'cause these shots of Olivia taken during a workout at Art Basel in Miami just reinforced how much these guys are winning off the field.

You might HATE the Pats 'cause these shots of Olivia taken during a workout at Art Basel in Miami just reinforced how jealous you are of all the Patriots -- and not just Tom Brady.

Consider this case closed ... 'cause one of the biggest Boston sports superfans on the planet says Rob Gronkowski deserved to be suspended for his late hit on a Bills player on Sunday.

TMZ Sports got Matt Damon's reaction to Gronk getting benched for one game after a controversial hit on Tre'Davious White ... and while you can tell he didn't wanna admit it, Damon says it was worthy of a suspension.

There's no way Gronk should be suspended for his controversial hit on a Bills player ... so says former Super Bowl champ Jermaine Wiggins, who thinks anyone saying otherwise is just a Patriots hater.

TMZ Sports spoke with Wiggins about the Gronk backlash after he hit Tre'Davious White during Sunday's game, and he says if the NFL wants to remain consistent -- and be fair -- with its punishment, Gronkowski shouldn't be suspended a single minute.

Wiggins does admit it was a "dirty play" and "cheap shot" ... but says "cheap shots happen in the game all the time."