The play of quarterback Derek Carr has been a key to the Raiders' improvement.

Carr's 72.1-percent completion rate ranks slightly higher than the Vikings' Kirk Cousins as the NFL's best for quarterbacks with at least 100 pass attempts. Carr has a 103.6 passer rating and 11 TD passes against four interceptions.

"He's getting rid of the ball on time," Gruden said. "He's not taking crazy sacks. He's taking care of the ball and moving the team. We've got a lot of different plays and formations and things we ask him to do, and he's doing it quite well.

"As we get better on offense and better around him, everything is going to be fun and exciting."

Offense, building blocks: The Raiders used the draft and a practice-squad signing to add their leading rusher and receiver this year.

Jacobs was drafted 24th overall in the first round in April. He was the only running back taken in the first round.

Jacobs ranks sixth in the league in rushing with 620 yards, with four TDs and an average of 5.0 yards per carry. Jacobs had a 99-yard rushing game against the Chiefs in Game 2, and back-to-back games of 123 and 124 yards against the Bears and Packers in Games 5 and 6.