Last season’s ability to edge the close encounters has seemingly deserted them, a point illustrated as recently as last weekend after the LA Chargers kicked a last-gasp field goal to prevail 17-16.
"We are mad because we know we are better," said offensive tackle Donald Penn. "We are very close but close ain’t getting us anywhere!"
The likeable, strong-armed Carr has accepted a good portion of the blame but has been restricted by some pretty conservative tactics and although loathe to admit it, a back injury which forced him to sit out one game recently will likely hamper him further in the short to medium term as he managed just one pass of more than 15 yards in that loss to the Chargers.
Until his season was ended last Christmas Eve by injury, Carr was able to paper over most of the shortcomings Oakland had on the other side of the ball as well and although they have not allowed a 100-yard rusher in 2017, the defense still looks vulnerable (ranked 23rd overall in the NFL) with the recent signing of physically-fragile linebacker NaVorro Bowman representing a real roll of the dice.
The more pessimistic among the Kansas City fans will say last weekend's defeat sums up their team in a nutshell and will more than likely see them come up short when it comes to delivering a first championship since the heady days of the 1960s under Hank Stram and Len Dawson.
However, they look a far more cohesive unit at the moment than their hosts on Thursday and I am willing to take a chance on them regaining the winning thread in some style by posting a convincing victory at a hostile Alameda Coliseum.
Prediction: Kansas City 33-14 Oakland
1pt Kansas City to win by 14 points or more at 4/1
Click here for our transparent tipping record.
Posted at 1045 BST on 18/10/17.