NFL

Buffalo fans are being called out ahead of their team's huge game against the Kansas City Chiefs ... after the Bills Mafia dressed a Kermit the Frog puppet like Patrick Mahomes and hung it from a pole outside the stadium.

Pictures of the scene went viral shortly before the highly anticipated matchup between the two AFC powerhouses at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park ... showing the Muppets character decked out in a jersey and wig to resemble the three-time Super Bowl-winning quarterback.

The stunt is being talked about on social media -- sparking a debate on whether it crossed the line given Mahomes is Black.

While we don't know if Lil Wayne will be making an appearance at the Super Bowl in his hometown of New Orleans, we do know another big-time rapper will be in attendance -- Big Sean -- who tells TMZ Sports he already has tickets to the big game!

That's how confident Sean feels!

We caught up with the Detroit rapper out in Los Angeles ... and he didn't waver at all -- he's emphatic in his declaration that Jared Goff and the Lions are a lock to make the big game.

Jim Harbaugh and the L.A. Chargers' first year together is going better than many were expecting ... and Shawne Merriman's thrilled about it -- 'cause he told everyone who would listen before the season he knew they'd be good!

The ex-pass rusher sat down with TMZ Sports just prior to the Bolts' 2024 kickoff -- and he was adamant back then that his former team had a real chance to make a run to the AFC Championship game.

This week, when we caught back up with him -- he gloated about his preseason forecast -- telling us that after being around the team in the summer, he just had a real feeling this Chargers team could be a Super Bowl contender.

9:41 AM PT -- A rep for Pacman tells TMZ Sports the former NFL star "adamantly denies the allegations and looks forward to explaining the truth when the time comes."

The rep added, "Like thousands of other people in Dallas last night, Pac was in town for the fight and was enjoying himself, spending time with the fans."

"Pacman was returning to his hotel to wind down for the evening. He was not looking for trouble."

Kansas City Chiefs star Rashee Rice appears to be in great spirits on his road to recovery ... hitting up the Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson festivities in Texas as he inches closer to getting back on the football field.

After checking out the action at AT&T Stadium, the injured wide receiver rolled through the Rayleigh Underground in Dallas ... joining names like Metta World Peace, Jon Marianek and DJ Irie at the massive event's after-party.

Boxer J'Leon Love -- one of Paul's coaches -- was also present ... and we take it he was over the moon about the big win for his team. DJ E-V, who actually provided tunes at AT&T Stadium for the fight, made an appearance as well.

Several fans got into a crazy brawl in the stands at the Chiefs vs. Broncos game on Sunday ... and things turned so violent, TMZ Sports has learned one of the guys involved was actually charged with assault.

The incident took place at some point during Kansas City's 16-14 win over Denver at Arrowhead Stadium.

According to video shot by a bystander, it all appeared to begin when a Patrick Surtain II supporter started throwing hands at a neighboring fan.

For the 22nd year in a row, Shawne Merriman will get out into the community in order to assist the needy ... and he tells TMZ Sports he couldn't be happier to do it!

The Chargers legend is hosting his annual Lights On Foundation Coat Drive later Saturday ... just before his alma mater, the University of Maryland, takes on Rutgers in a big college football game.

The ex-pass rusher says he'll personally be at the event -- helping collect "gloves, scarves, hats" and "anything that's going to keep people warm" as the cold winter months approach.

Taylor Swift is feeling herself now more than ever ... hitting a particularly sexy dance move as her record-breaking 'Eras' tour is approaching its finish line.

The singer, who performed at the Rogers Centre in Toronto, Canada Thursday evening, switched up the choreography a bit for her performance of "Look What You Made Me Do" ... thrusting more sensually than ever before.

Check it out ... as Taylor belts out her "Reputation" era anthem in her new bodysuit, she grinds against the raised platform, bopping up and down while giving a confident hair flip.

Jason Kelce debuted his new Christmas song before its streaming release ... performing the track live onstage at Lincoln Financial Field before the Eagles game!

The retired NFL center sang "Santa Drives an Astrovan" ahead of the Eagles Thursday Night Football game against division rivals Washington Commanders.

Several fans at the tailgate party captured the performance on video ... with Kelce joining the indie rock group Mt. Joy to sing their duet.

Travis Kelce got out of the house on Wednesday to hit up a concert ... but it was NOT a date night for the NFL star -- TMZ Sports has learned Taylor Swift stayed behind.

The Chiefs tight end made his way over to the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City to catch Jelly Roll belt out some tunes to a packed arena ... but we're told Swift was not among those in attendance.

Unclear where she was -- but with an "Eras" tour show slated to go down at Rogers Centre in Toronto on Thursday night ... it's safe to assume work took priority.

Patrick Mahomes has taken steps to ensure he's not the victim of a home burglary again ... TMZ Sports has learned he's beefed up security at his massive Missouri property.

Our sources with direct knowledge of the situation tell us in the days after Mahomes' Belton mansion was broken into on Oct. 6 ... the Chiefs star heightened safety measures around his home.

In addition, we're told the gated community that Mahomes lives in also made some security moves ... in an effort to put its members' minds at ease.

Gisele Bündchen put her growing belly on display at a recent charity event ... showing off her new baby bump for the very first time!!

The supermodel rocked a sleek black dress for the Lotus House Gala's 20th anniversary celebration in Miami ... and sure enough, her bun in the oven was the main accessory catching everyone's eye.

As we reported last month, Gisele is expecting her first child with jiu-jitsu instructor Joaquim Valente ... after having two with ex-hubby Tom Brady. At the time, we were told she was about 5-6 months along.

Jason Kelce's donning his Christmas Crown ... 'cause his song with Stevie Nicks is currently charting higher than Mariah Carey's "All I Want For Christmas Is You" -- making him the official Queen of Christmas!

The former Philadelphia Eagles center talked about taking on Mariah during an episode of "The New Heights" podcast ... after Travis rattled off the accomplishment, saying somehow, Jason and The Philly Specials are beating Mariah at her own game.

"Maybe This Christmas" -- a duet by Kelce and Fleetwood Mac songstress Nicks -- has passed 'All I Want' as the No. 1 Christmas song of the season ... and, Jason says taking his rightful place as The Queen of Christmas feels so good.

Camryn Bynum's viral Raygun-inspired interception celebration is getting a perfect score from the Australian sensation herself ... with the breaker sharing a real-time reaction to the Vikings player's tribute!!

Raygun -- real name Rachael Gunn -- sent TMZ Sports a clip of her watching the defensive back's moves following his game-clinching pick ... and needless to say, she felt it was worthy of an Olympic medal.

"Finishing with the kangaroo. Teammates got involved, crowds cheering, that's a celebration," she said.

Patrick Mahomes is clearly peeved over the burglary that went down at his Missouri mansion last month ... he just told reporters the whole situation is "frustrating" and "disappointing."

The Chiefs star's palatial Belton estate was broken into around midnight on Oct. 6 -- according to police documents TMZ Sports obtained -- and on Wednesday, Mahomes addressed the incident publicly for the first time.

He stated he could not go into specifics about the ordeal due to the ongoing investigation ... but it was more than apparent he was annoyed by the matter.

Jessica Simpson's husband is ditching his bling ... leaving his wedding ring at home -- just a day after we learned Simpson may be considering a divorce.

Eric Johnson -- Jessica's husband of more than a decade -- stepped out in Los Angeles Tuesday, and he's baring all here ... all of his ring finger, we mean.

He's not trying to hide his left hand here -- letting it hang out for all to see ... while looking over what may be important documents.