- Celebrities. Sofia Vergara shuts down Jimmy Fallon after awkward career comment about her losses
- NFL. Tom Brady's Indy 500 Debut: NFL legend s Jimmie Johnson in 'Fastest Seat in Sports'
The Las Vegas Raiders, once a titan of the NFL, have been in a slump since their devastating loss in Super Bowl XXXVII in 2002. Over the past 22 years, they've managed just two winning seasons and two playoff appearances, both of which fizzled out in the Wild Card round. A division title has remained a distant dream, and they've stumbled to five or fewer victories in 12 of those years, including the last. This is a far cry from their heyday in the 1970s and '80s, when they won three Super Bowls under the leadership of the legendary John Madden and visionary Al Davis. Those championship years feel like ancient history, but the Raiders' fans have stuck by them through thick and thin, even after the team moved from Oakland to Las Vegas.
"Madden": A Big-Screen Tribute to Raiders Royalty
That loyalty is about to be rewarded with more than just hope. The Raiders' golden era is receiving the Hollywood treatment in Madden, a biopic starring Oscar winners Nicolas Cage as John Madden and Christian Bale as Al Davis. It's not just a nostalgia trip; it's an opportunity to relive the brilliance of a coach who won the franchise's first Super Bowl in 1976 and an owner whose "Just win, baby!" mantra defined an era. Amazon MGM Studios released the first photo of the film, showing Cage and Bale decked out in Raiders gear and flashing Super Bowl bling. It's an enticing teaser for fans craving excitement.
Nicolas Cage steps into John Madden's shoes, portraying the legendary coach who led the Raiders to glory in the 1976 Super Bowl and never had a losing season in a decade with the team. Christian Bale portrays Al Davis, the maverick owner who ed away in 2011 but left behind three Super Bowl victories and a Hall of Fame legacy. The film traces Madden's journey from the sidelines to the broadcast booth and the creation of the Madden NFL video game empire, spotlighting his bond with Davis along the way. With Cage and Bale-who previously worked together on 2001's "Captain Corelli's Mandolin"-this film is poised to be a cinematic touchdown.
Raiders Reload with Pete Carroll and Offensive Firepower
For next season enters Pete Carroll, the Super Bowl-winning coach who led the Seahawks to victory in 2014. Now, at the helm of the Raiders, he has his work cut out for him, starting with a defense that has been more sieve than steel. But what about the offense? That's where the excitement lies. Geno Smith is the new quarterback, backed by rookie star Ahston Jeanty, the sixth overall draft pick and Heisman runner-up, as well as tight end Brock Bowers, who's already turning heads. This unit could light up scoreboards, but without a stouter defense, it might not be enough. Carroll's defensive expertise will be the X-factor in Vegas this year.