The Bills walked into Sunday’s home date with the Patriots as the clear favorite, expecting to stack a fourth straight win and seize control of the AFC East. Instead, Buffalo left Highmark Stadium staring at a 29-26 loss and a postgame quote that might linger longer than the final score.
Drake Maye, whose early-season struggles had become the loudest story around New England, answered back with one of his best performances yet. He threw for 269 yards and three touchdowns, then capped the comeback with a perfect strike to Efton Chism for a one-handed touchdown catch with just under two minutes left. That was the play that flipped the game.
Buffalo safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson had plenty to say afterward, and he did not sound bothered by the moment that beat his team. In front of his locker, he called Chism’s grab a “hell of a play” by a “practice squad player,” then said the receiver likely wouldn’t do it again.
“We not going to get into any bulletin board material,” Gardner-Johnson said while standing in front of his locker. “An elevated guy made a hell of a catch, probably won’t hear from him again.
Respectfully. I say that with a lot of confidence because [Maye] didn’t put his confidence in his his best player.
If he had he would have thrown it to [Romeo] Doubs or somebody. But they won the game, whatever.
They didn’t do s---. They didn’t do s-- better than us.
We’ve got to play better. And they can mark that.
We’ll be back to see them at the end of the year so they better have that same energy. They put up what, 20-something points?
They barely scored. They struggled all game.
“A practice squad player made a hell of a play. That’s all I’m going to tell you. You do it again and he probably won’t make it again.”
That line about Chism being a practice squad player didn’t hold up. Chism has never been on a practice squad, while Gardner-Johnson has, something Doug Kyed of the Boston Herald pointed out.
Just for the record, Efton Chism has never been on a practice squad. CJ Gardner-Johnson has been on a practice squad.
The “barely scored” comment also landed awkwardly after Buffalo gave up 29 points. The Bills had already allowed 31 to both the Texans and Lions earlier this season, so holding New England under 30 apparently felt like progress from Gardner-Johnson’s point of view.
For the Patriots, though, the night belonged to Chism. Mike Vrabel made sure to spotlight the work behind the moment, saying the rookie receiver had earned it.
"Nobody works harder," Vrabel said. "There are plenty of guys who work hard, but I mean, Chiz is literally in [wide receivers coach] Todd Downing's office before 6 o'clock every morning, if not 5:30, getting the game plan down to know every position.
"He's an extremely hard worker. His toughness, his routine, it's really cool to see guys like that take advantage of their opportunities and obviously stepping up in a critical situation is what this league is about."
Chism, who played college football at Eastern Washington, signed with New England as a kick returner/wide receiver after going undrafted in the 2025 NFL draft. He played in eight games as a rookie and caught eight passes for 75 yards and a touchdown.
Sunday gave him his biggest moment yet. He finished with two catches for 43 yards and the winning score.
"When I'm out there and the ball is in the air, I kinda black out. I'm kinda in that little flow state," Chism said.
"Saw it in the air. Drake gave me an opportunity and you got to come down with those opportunities.
You don't know how many you're going to get."
Romeo Doubs was just as fired up for him afterward.
"Snag of the year, man," Doubs said of Chism’s heroic catch. "I watched the kid work all week. I'm just blessed to be around someone like him."
New England moved to 2-2 and will try to keep the momentum going next Sunday against the Raiders.
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