Wes Welker left Tony Carter in no-man's land to accidentally touch the New England Patriots' fumble, which led to a fumble deep in the Denver Broncos' territory late in overtime.

“I’ve got to get to him earlier, and get those guys out of the way if I’m not going to make the catch,” said Welker.

“I was a little bit in-between,” Welker said, “and you can’t be that way.”

Welker was in the game returning punts in place of Trindon Holliday, who had fumbled earlier in the game.

“I was trying to get away from the ball, but it took a bounce,” said Tony Carter, who touched the ball.