Wes Welker got a 15-yard penalty and "cussed out afterwards" by Bill Belichick as a result of this touchdown celebration.

Journal photo / Glenn Osmundson

FOXBORO -- All Patriots fans remember Lonie Paxton's snow angel after New England beat Oakland in the Tuck Rule game, and many will also remember the one Wes Welker did yesterday in the south end zone after his 11-yard touchdown reception in the second quarter.

But Welker wasn't inspired by Paxton; after the game, he recalled watching a game when he was younger and seeing then-Cowboys punt returner Kevin Williams making a snow angel after scoring a touchdown.

"It just came to mind," Welker said. "So I did it and then proceeded to get cussed out afterwards [by coach Bill Belichick]. …I really didn't think it would be a penalty. I wouldn't have done it if that was the case."

Welker was flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct for the joyous celebration, a bit Scrooge-ish given that Christmas is in three days. In his announcement of the penalty, referee Bill Leavy said Welker got the penalty for "demonstration."

"The refs showed no love," Paxton said with a smile, adding that he didn't coach Welker on the move. "No, but he doesn't fill up quite as much space as I did. He's a little snow angel."

It was the second straight week Welker scored a touchdown, bringing his season total to three. The Pro Bowl-bound receiver had seven catches for 68 yards, pushing his season reception total to 109; with four catches in Buffalo, he will set a new franchise record, breaking the mark of 112 he set last year.

Welker also gave New England big contributions returning punts. His 28-yard return on Arizona's first punt gave the Pats the ball on the Cardinals' 34, and they scored their first touchdown seven plays later. He took the next punt 13 yards, and New England began that drive near midfield.

"We had good field position in the first quarter," Belichick said. "It seemed like we were on their half of the field all day."

smanza@projo.com