After beating Broncos, Raiders QB Derek Carr says drama over Jon Gruden's resignation 'brought us closer'

Only six days after Jon Gruden resigned as their head coach, the Las Vegas Raiders looked focused and formidable in a 34-24 victory Sunday over the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.

“We needed a win bad this week,’’ Raiders quarterback Derek Carr said. “Sometimes when you get punched in the gut, it’s hard to bounce back. But we were able to do it.’’

With Gruden stepping down after racist, homophobic and misogynistic emails that he wrote came to light, Carr said the turbulence “brought us closer.’’

“If anything, it heightened our intensity, it heightened our focus,’’ he added.

Carr helped lead the way while throwing for 341 yards and two touchdowns on 18-of-27 passing, and the Raiders' defense came through with three interceptions and five sacks.

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Snapping a two-game losing streak, the Raiders improved to 4-2, moved into a tie atop the AFC West with the Los Angeles Chargers and gave Rich Bisaccia his first victory as the Raiders’ interim head coach.

“Certainly it’s emotional for everybody, right?’’ Bisaccia said. “So I think they did a good job, as a bunch of grown men, of handling their emotions throughout the week. …

“We’ll see what goes on from here. We’ll see the consistency that we can have going on. I think that will be the challenge for all of us.’’