DENVER -- The first time Denver Broncos running back Royce Freeman touched the ball Monday night, he cruised to an 18-yard gain.
The fifth time he touched the ball he evaded seven or so would-be tacklers, dragging the last one -- Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Anthony Hitchens -- into the end zone for a 14-yard touchdown run.
And yet long after those runs, as the Broncos closed the books on a 27-23 loss to the Chiefs, it offered another glimpse at the aggravating, maddening and now repetitive Broncos knack for not doing what they do best at the most important times.