Numbers don't tell the full story for Wes Welker.
On NFL Network
NFL Replay will re-air
the Baltimore Ravens' 28-13 victory over the
New England Patriots in the AFC Championship Game on Wednesday, Jan. 23 at 8 p.m. ET.
Tom Brady's most reliable target hauled in eight catches for 117 yards and one touchdown for the New England Patriots in their 28-13 AFC Championship Game loss to the Baltimore Ravens. On paper, it was a superb performance from Welker, but in reality, it's the pass he didn't catch that will be remembered this offseason.
In the opening minutes of the second half, with the Patriots up 13-7, Welker was wide open on a third-and-8 play in Ravens territory. The throw from Brady was on target. It's a play we've seen the pair execute countless times, but not on Sunday.
"We made it to the AFC Championship (Game), did some good things along the way," Welker told Comcast SportsNet New England on Sunday night. "We just didn't do enough in the end."
Welker and Brady also missed on a potential long-gainer on the Patriots' opening drive. It was an up-and-down afternoon for the receiver, but New England's overall performance can't be pinned solely on Welker. The Patriots seemed especially lackluster during the second half, when Joe Flacco and the Ravens marched down the field. New England, meanwhile, never hit its rhythm.
Welker played this season under the franchise tag and will become a free agent in the offseason. It's strange to imagine Brady without his dangerous slot receiver, but Welker didn't want to address his future in New England.
"I'm really not worried about it at all," Welker said Sunday night. "Tough loss. Just try to get over it at the moment."
Follow Marc Sessler on Twitter @MarcSesslerNFL.
