New Orleans Saints

The wild ending to the Vikings/Saints playoff game cost a lot of people a lot of money ... and it all came down to that extra point play.

The spread before kickoff was 5.5 in favor of the Vikings -- meaning if you bet the Vikings, they had to win by at least 6 points for you to collect on your bet.

So when Stefon Diggs caught that insane last-second pass with time expiring to put Minnesota up by 5, Vikings betters thought the extra point was a gimme ... and would be money in the bank.

Now the twist -- the players clearly thought the game was over, as both teams started to leave the field. But when officials explained the extra point play was mandatory, both teams returned ... but the Vikings apparently didn't wanna put salt in the wound ... so they took a knee instead of kicking the field goal for the extra point.

Final spread -- 5 points. Hope you bet on the Saints.

BetOnline.ag -- one of the biggest betting websites -- tells us that the kneel on the extra point favored a majority of gamblers ... 'cause 63% of people on their site bet on the Saints getting 5.5 points.

Here's Saints coach Sean Payton dancing like his life depended on it ... after his team's huge playoff win over the Panthers!

Saints star RB Alvin Kamara shot video of the team's locker room celebration ... where the coach decided to join the party -- and let loose to Yo Gotti's hit track, "Juice."

As for the dance itself -- it was pretty damn goofy -- but Kamara and the rest of the guys approved.

Ain’t the first time we’ve seen Payton bust a move -- remember that video we got of him bumpin' and gridin' with a hot blonde in the Bahamas??

#SWAG

The co-founder of the Boston University CTE Center believes Cam Newton suffered a concussion during Sunday's NFL playoff game ... and says Cam's excuse for going back in the game is a joke.

The Panthers QB was rocked in the 4th quarter of the Wild Card game against the Saints -- collapsing while jogging toward the sideline.

He was examined by medical personnel and was cleared to reenter the game. Newton later said he did NOT feel like he had a concussion, but suffered an eye injury from his helmet slipping down.

Sure.

Enter Chris Nowinski, Ph.D. -- one of the most famous and esteemed CTE experts in the world ... who also played college football and wrestled for the WWE.

"This 'Cam Newton's visor poked him in the eye' is the greatest storyline in the history of sports," Nowinski said.

"And I'm saying that as a former WWE wrestler. Watch the video, you don't collapse after that him because you need ice on your face. It's a #concussion."

Saints legend Jonathan Vilma just threw Drew Brees' name into the hat for next mayor of New Orleans ... and he's making a pretty damn good case.

We talked to Jonathan about Brees opening a special needs playground in NOLA ... and Jonathan went full campaign manager describing his longtime teammate's mayoral credentials.

"He definitely has a future as mayor of New Orleans," Vilma told TMZ Sports.

"Drew Brees was the best teammate I had. Words can't describe how competitive he is, was, still is, to what a great person he is."

"So every time I see something come out on him doing something off the field that's positive ... it's par for the course."

The question -- is Drew actually gonna do it??

We asked him earlier this year ... and he definitely didn't rule it out.

Mike Mitchell's scathing video takedown of the NFL -- and Commissioner Roger Goodell -- is resonating with other players ... especially two guys on the New Orleans Saints.

TMZ Sports spoke with Saints CB Sterling Moore and LB Craig Robertson before they played the Falcons in Atlanta on Thursday ... and they both made it clear they stand by Mitchell.

FYI, Mitchell -- safety for the Pittsburgh Steelers -- went off on the NFL and Goodell over recent suspensions and fines levied against defensive players. The video went viral.

But if you don't care about the league drama ... watch the video anyway -- these guys are hilarious!

TMZ Sports might've unearthed 1 of the biggest shockers in NFL friendship history ... 'cause Ricky Williams told us he and Mike Ditka will always be bros!!!

You remember the trade ... Ditka gave up 8 PICKS to draft Ricky to the Saints back in '99 -- but NOLA bombed and Da Coach got canned.

But Williams says he and Ditka -- differences aside -- are "homies for life" ... 'cause Mike's one of the few guys he can always turn to.

"I remember when I played for him ... he said, 'If you can count on 1 hand how many people you have as close friends, then you’re doing OK.' And that's been advice I've held close to my heart all these years."

If you're not into the warm and fuzzy stuff, Ricky also weighed in on the insane Aqib Talib vs. Michael Crabtree brawl ... and his reaction was kinda surprising.

The horrific leg injury Chicago Bears TE Zach Miller suffered on Sunday was so bad, surgeons were scrambling to "save his leg" ... according to ESPN's Chris Mortensen.

Miller badly dislocated his left knee while trying to catch a TD pass in the 3rd quarter against the New Orleans Saints. He came down on the leg wrong and Miller knew right away the injury was bad.

Now, Mortensen says Miller suffered damage to an artery in his leg -- and vascular surgeons have been called in to repair it.

New Orleans Saints long snapper and star magician Jon Dorenbos is "resting comfortably" after open-heart surgery on Tuesday -- this according to Dorenbos' former NFL coach.

Dorenbos -- who crushed it on "America's Got Talent" -- was diagnosed with an aortic aneurysm during his physical for the Saints last week ... which prompted the emergency surgery.

Eagles head coach Doug Pederson gave an update on his ex-player's condition, saying, "Everything went well yesterday with surgery and he's resting comfortably."

"Just wish him and his family well, our prayers are with him and hope for a speedy recovery."

The NFL vet shared a video of his friends and family before going under the knife, saying, "Thank you to my beautiful amazing wife, my family, my friends and videos like this. This brought out some tears. I feel the love and support."

Get well soon, Jon!

A trade to the New Orleans Saints may have saved Jon Dorenbos' life -- because the longsnapper just learned he has a very serious heart condition that was discovered during a team physical.

Dorenbos -- who dominated as a magician on "America's Got Talent" -- was traded from the Philadelphia Eagles to the Saints back in August and had to undergo a medical exam as part of the deal.

Saints coach Sean Payton just told the media ... doctors discovered the 2-time Pro Bowl player had an aortic aneurysm that will require immediate heart surgery.

Payton says, "It's a pretty serious condition."

Dorenbos is 37 years old -- and the news could signal the end of his NFL career -- but who cares as long as he gets healthy.

#GetWellSoon

New Orleans Saints legend Deuce McAllister says he's fired up about Adrian Peterson joining the squad -- because he'll be an excellent addition ... as a backup.

The Saints just finalized a 2 year, $7 mil contract with the future Hall of Famer -- but it doesn't guarantee he'll start. In fact, when we asked Deuce who's number one on the depth chart, it ain't AP.

"It's Mark Ingram, it's not even a question."

Saints Hall of Famer Willie Roaf says he's all for Johnny Manziel taking his talents to the Bayou ... as long as he's ready for the nonstop party that is New Orleans.

There are reports Manziel has been in contact with Saints coach Sean Payton recently, leading some to wonder if there are plans for JM to be the heir apparent to Drew Brees.

Roaf was an 11-time Pro Bowler for the Saints, and when we talked to him about Manziel possibly ending up there, Roaf was in favor of the second chance, but not without warning.

"I think the kid is still young. He has a lot of potential. Hopefully he has his issues under control ... New Orleans is a tough city, it's a lotta nightlife, a lotta drinking."

Roaf goes on to say he believes Johnny can be successful as a Saint, as long as the staff keeps a tight leash on him.

As for what Willie is doing these days -- he told us all about the AWESOME company he's starting with some fellow NFL greats now that their playing days are over.

A live war broke out between beloved R&B group Jagged Edge and NFL star Nick Fairley -- when the Saints star hijacked their concert ... and the singers told him to get his "big ass" off the stage.

Saints RB Mark Ingram won the Super Bowl of hunting this week, popping a GIGANTIC 600 LB BOAR during a hunt in Tennessee ... and his NFL pals were definitely impressed.

Ingram bagged the beast at the Spartan Hunting Preserve in Grandview, Tennessee earlier this week -- and claims he took it down in one shot.

The picture is CRAZY ... Mark is a 210 pound NFL player, and he basically looks like a toddler standing next to the outstretched boar.

Ingram's former Alabama teammate, Ha-Ha Clinton Dix, could barely believe it.

Drew Brees is getting some HUGE support for his possible political career -- with one of Louisiana's most powerful politicians offering to chair Drew's campaign in the state.

We spoke with U.S. House of Representatives member Dr. Ralph Abraham -- who's been serving the 5th district of Louisiana since 2015 -- and he LOVES that Drew is considering a career in Washington after his playing days are over.

"Drew Brees led the Saints to a Super Bowl win; he can lead our nation to prosperity," Abraham told TMZ Sports in a statement.

"I’ll even chair his campaign in the 24 parishes I represent."

He added, "In all seriousness, I don’t know what Drew’s politics are, but it doesn’t matter. He’s demonstrated incredible character and class in New Orleans, and the world of politics could use a lot more folks like that."

Peyton Manning might not be the only superstar NFL quarterback in Washington ... Drew Brees tells TMZ Sports he's also open to the idea of running for office after he hangs up the cleats.

The 38-year-old QB is like a living God in New Orleans and is incredibly involved in the community -- so, when we saw him at LAX, we asked if he'd thought about politics after his days with the Saints are over.

"It won't be the first thing I do, but I'm not gonna rule it out," Brees told us.

Will Smith's ex-Saints teammates, including Drew Brees, are in the courtroom as proceedings began in his murder case.

Witness testimony in the second degree murder case against Cardell Hayes began Tuesday ... and Brees and Steve Gleason were on hand to see it.

FYI -- Smith was shot and killed on April 9th in New Orleans ... after an alleged road rage incident involving Hayes.

Another ex-Saint, Deuce McAllister, was also on hand, but was actually part of the trial ... being called as the state of Louisiana's first witness.