The story of the Raiders offense this season had been its slow starts, having not scored a touchdown in the first quarter through five games.
But on Sunday against the AFC West rival Denver Broncos, the Silver and Black flipped the script. Derek Carr and his weapons turned on the heat, scored a touchdown on their opening drive and didn't look back the rest of the game on their way to a statement wire-to-wire 34-24 win.
"Week in and week out, we know we have to start fast. It hasn't happened, but we just needed somebody to step up and give us that spark," Henry Ruggs said, "And luckily, that's what I did."
The spark came amid a week when Interim Head Coach Rich Bisaccia took the helm and offensive coordinator Greg Olson called plays for the first time in five years. Bisaccia made it clear though that there hasn't been a lack of effort — just trouble getting going early. He also expressed how excited he was to see the effort from both sides of the ball to get to W.
"Great continuity on offensive staff, great continuity on defensive staff. ... They just came together today and put it all together," Bisaccia said postgame. "We were plus four in the turnovers; we had good field position in the kicking game and thought we did a great job with drives."
Like they did throughout practice this week, the Raiders tuned out the noise and focused on the field. A first drive of the second half ending in a touchdown, much like the opening drive, helped Las Vegas keep the tempo high on their way to accumulating over 400 yards of total offense.
And for a run game that has been stifled, Josh Jacobs and Kenyan Drake broke out for a rushing touchdown a piece, with Drake added another through the air. Jacobs ended the day with 53 rushing yards and Drake with 34.
Drake came to the Raiders as a free agent from the Arizona Cardinals, where he nearly notched a 1,000 yard season in 2020. Notably, the six-year running back had been quiet since donning the Silver and Black, and today he came alive.
"I came here to make plays, so that's what I hope to continue to do as the season goes on," Drake said.
"I've just got a nose for the end zone. I get there, I'm hungry for it. I'm starving for it. ... It was a great set up by Oly [Greg Olson], Derek threw a great pass, and I just had to do my part," he added.
The offensive line also turned in an impressive performance after intermittent struggles this season, holding strong against the third-best defense in the league and allowed just two sacks on quarterback Derek Carr, who went 18-of-27 for 341 yards and two touchdowns.
"I thought they did a great job. I think we had two sacks, but I think they were my fault for running [for] zero yards; it wasn't on them," Carr said. "Especially against that front – Von Miller is God's gift to earth of pass rushing. ... It's impressive that [the O-line was] able to do what they did this week. We keep that up, hopefully we can build on what they were able to do this week and if we can do that, hopefully have more success."
With the first win under Bisaccia's belt, he and the 4-2 Raiders will look to keep the momentum – and brotherhood – going.
"We know what we have to do, and we're going to accomplish it," Ruggs said.
"It's really not about anybody else but us," he added. "As long as we're together – we've got to go on the field 11 at a time. As long as everybody in our locker room is together and on the same page, no matter what we can make some things happen."
View photos from the Raiders' Week 6 matchup against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.

Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos.

Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos.

Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Henry Ruggs III (11) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos.

Las Vegas Raiders running back Kenyan Drake (23) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos.

Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Henry Ruggs III (11) heads to the end zone on a 48-yard touchdown catch during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos.

Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Henry Ruggs III (11) heads to the end zone on a 48-yard touchdown catch during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos.

Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Henry Ruggs III (11) is congratulated after making a 48-yard touchdown catch during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos.

Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Nate Hobbs (39) and safety Dallin Leavitt (32) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos.

Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Damion Square (97) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos.

Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos.

Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Damion Square (97) and defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos.

Las Vegas Raiders safety Johnathan Abram (24) and defensive tackle Damion Square (97) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos.

Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Amik Robertson (21), safety Johnathan Abram (24) and safety Tre'von Moehrig (25) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos.

Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Yannick Ngakoue (91) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos.

Las Vegas Raiders Interim Head Coach/special teams coordinator Rich Bisaccia on the sidelines during the Las Vegas Raiders regular season away game against the Denver Broncos.

Las Vegas Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos.

Las Vegas Raiders running back Jalen Richard (30) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos.

Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Hunter Renfrow (13) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos.

Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Henry Ruggs III (11) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos.

Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (28) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos.

Las Vegas Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson (2) lines up to kick a 50-yard field goal during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos.

Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Henry Ruggs III (11) on the sidelines during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos.

Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Yannick Ngakoue (91) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos.

Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Solomon Thomas (92) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos.

Las Vegas Raiders safety Johnathan Abram (24) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos.

Las Vegas Raiders safety Johnathan Abram (24) and safety Roderic Teamer (33) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos.

Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Brandon Facyson (35) intercepts a pass during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos.

Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Brandon Facyson (35) is congratulated by teammates after intercepting a pass during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos.

Las Vegas Raiders running back Kenyan Drake (23) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos.

Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos.

Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos.

Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Casey Hayward Jr. (29) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos.

Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Yannick Ngakoue (91) and defensive end Clelin Ferrell (99) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos.

Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos.

Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Zay Jones (7) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos.

Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Brandon Facyson (35) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos.

Las Vegas Raiders linebacker K.J. Wright (34) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos.

Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98), linebacker Cory Littleton (42) and linebacker Denzel Perryman (52) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos.

Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Nate Hobbs (39) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos.

Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Damion Square (97) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos.

Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos.

Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos.

Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Hunter Renfrow (13) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos.

Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Yannick Ngakoue (91) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos.

Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Brandon Facyson (35) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos.

Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Brandon Facyson (35) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos.

Las Vegas Raiders running back Kenyan Drake (23) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos.

Las Vegas Raiders running back Kenyan Drake (23) heads to the end zone on a 31-yard touchdown catch during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos.

Las Vegas Raiders running back Kenyan Drake (23) celebrates after making a 31-yard touchdown catch during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos.

Las Vegas Raiders fullback Alec Ingold (45) on the sidelines during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos.

Las Vegas Raiders linebacker K.J. Wright (34) on the sidelines during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos.

Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Keisean Nixon (22) on the sidelines during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos.

Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos.

Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Solomon Thomas (92) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos.

Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Keisean Nixon (22) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos.

Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (28) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos.

Las Vegas Raiders running back Kenyan Drake (23) rushes for an 18-yard touchdown during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos.

Las Vegas Raiders running back Kenyan Drake (23) celebrates with wide receiver Henry Ruggs III (11) after rushing for an 18-yard touchdown during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos.

Las Vegas Raiders safety Johnathan Abram (24) and safety Roderic Teamer (33) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos.

Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Denzel Perryman (52) and cornerback Nate Hobbs (39) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos.

Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Keisean Nixon (22) and cornerback Nate Hobbs (39) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos.

Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Denzel Perryman (52) recovers a fumble during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos.

Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Denzel Perryman (52) celebrates after recovering a fumble during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos.

Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Henry Ruggs III (11) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos.

Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Henry Ruggs III (11) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos.

Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (28) rushes for a 3-yard touchdown during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos.

Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (28) celebrates after rushing for a 3-yard touchdown during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos.

Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (28) is congratulated by quarterback Derek Carr (4) after rushing for a 3-yard touchdown during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos.

Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos.

Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Cory Littleton (42) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos.

Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (28) and quarterback Derek Carr (4) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos.

Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Bryan Edwards (89) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos.

Las Vegas Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson (2) lines up to kick a 30-yard field goal during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos.

Las Vegas Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson (2) celebrates with quarterback Derek Carr (4) after kicking a 30-yard field goal during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos.

Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos.

Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos.

Las Vegas Raiders safety Tre'von Moehrig (25) returns an interception during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos.

Las Vegas Raiders safety Tre'von Moehrig (25) returns an interception during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos.

Las Vegas Raiders safety Tre'von Moehrig (25) celebrates after intercepting a pass during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos.

Las Vegas Raiders punter AJ Cole (6) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos.

Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Clelin Ferrell (99) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos.