Rare error has Welker feeling low

While most of the focus in the immediate aftermath of the New York Giants’ 21-17 victory was on the role of MVP Eli Manning and the decisive late touchdown, Welker knows he also effectively had the game in his hands.

With the Patriots leading 17-15 late in the fourth quarter and driving down the field, Welker had the chance to secure a vital first down which could have led to a telling score or taken valuable time off the clock.

But the man who led the NFL with 122 catches this season was unable to hold onto the slightly off-target pass from quarterback Tom Brady and the Patriots were forced to kick the ball back to the Giants, which led to the winning score from Ahmad Bradshaw.

“It comes to the biggest moment of my life and I don’t come up with it,” said a dejected Welker. “It’s discouraging. I mean it’s a play I never drop. I always make. Most critical situation and I let the team down.”

On the other side of the ball, Giants quarterback Manning was named most valuable player for the second time in the Super Bowl, the first also coming against the Patriots in 2008.

Head coach Tom Coughlin said: “He deserves all the credit in the world because he really has put this team on his shoulders the whole year.”