DENVER — 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.

“Felt great to finish the game that way,” Ware said. “We thought we were going to finish it with the field goal but at the end of the game, it’s all about that win.”

Ware’s recovery followed a 37-yard field goal by Brandon McManus, whose shanked 45-yarder at the end of regulation made necessary the extra drama.

“I’m 24 years old and I don’t think I’ve ever kicked the ball like that in my life: grade school, elementary school or anything like that,” McManus said. “I just wrapped my toe around it and I knew I had to bounce back.”

He did, and Ware’s follow-up capped Denver’s second comeback from a 14-0 deficit at home this season. The Broncos (11-4) also beat New England in overtime last month after spotting the Patriots a two-touchdown lead in the first half.

Denver’s comeback denied the Bengals (11-4) their first road win on a Monday night in a quarter century.

The Broncos now can secure the AFC’s top seed next week with a win over San Diego and a Patriots’ loss at Miami.

The Steelers can now make the playoffs only with a win over Cleveland and a New York Jets’ loss in Buffalo.

“First off, getting into the playoffs in the National Football League is a hell of an accomplishment. It’s hard to do,” Broncos coach Gary Kubiak said. “Once you get there, it’s about how you play, not where you play, but ... we’ve got a great opportunity this weekend. “