Ware recovers fumble to seal Broncos’ 20-17 win over Bengals

Denver Broncos outside linebacker DeMarcus Ware, right, lies on his fumble recovery for the win after an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Monday, Dec. 28, 2015, in Denver. The Broncos won 20-17 in overtime. At left is Denver Broncos inside linebacker Danny Trevathan. (AP Photo/Joe Mahoney) Denver Broncos outside linebacker DeMarcus Ware, right, lies on his fumble recovery for the win after an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Monday, Dec. 28, 2015, in Denver. The Broncos won 20-17 in overtime. At left is Denver Broncos inside linebacker Danny Trevathan. (AP Photo/Joe Mahoney)

By Associated Press December 29, 2015 5 min read

DENVER (AP) – One errant shotgun snap sent the fortunes of the Denver Broncos and Cincinnati Bengals in different directions.

AJ McCarron took his eyes off his center for a split-second to look at the coverage and both the snap and Cincinnati’s surest path to a first-round bye slipped away – along with a chance to earn the AFC’s top seed next week.

DeMarcus Ware secured both the fumble and Denver’s ticket to the playoffs, clamping down on the loose football 6 minutes into overtime and sealing Denver’s 20-17 win Monday night.

“It was my fault. I told the team that,” McCarron said. “I looked up to see the coverage and the snap caught me by surprise.”

This was just the big play Ware’s been looking for ever since missing a month with a bad back.