Mike Vrabel didn’t hide how much Efton Chism’s performance meant to him after the Patriots’ win over the Bills, and that reaction landed exactly the way fans probably felt watching it unfold.
On Sunday afternoon in Buffalo, a Patriots offense that has been searching for answers finally got a jolt from an unexpected place. Wide receivers Romeo Doubs and Efton Chism combined for three touchdowns against a strong defense, a result few people would have predicted before kickoff. For a struggling unit, it was the kind of production that arrived at the perfect time.
Drake Maye turned in his best game of the year so far. He did have a strip-sack and an interception charged to him that shouldn’t have been, but he still arguably outplayed Josh Allen, who had been the MVP frontrunner since the start of the season.
Doubs added big chunk plays and two scores, which would have been enough to make him the day’s headline in many cases. Instead, Chism stole the spotlight with an unbelievable one-handed touchdown grab that sealed the Patriots’ win.
That was the kind of moment that demands a response from the sideline, and Vrabel gave one. In the hallway after the game, he greeted the team as usual and had a clear moment with Chism that stood out from the rest. Vrabel emphatically showed how happy he was for the 24-year-old, calling attention to Chism’s best game as a pro.
The best part was Chism’s reaction. His pure emotion made it obvious how much the play, and the game, meant to him.
With A.J. Brown out and Mack Hollins leaving with a calf injury, Chism stepped into a bigger role and made it count.
If this was his breakout game, it could push Josh McDaniels to build more into the game plan for him moving forward. He showed he can handle the moment and deliver when the offense needs it most.
In Other News...
Bills Patriots Finish Sparks Officiating Debate Buffalo Fans Wont Ignore
Julian Edelman added his voice to the discussion after the Patriots 29-26 win over the Bills, publicly questioning the officiating in a game that already had plenty of people talking. The finish was tight, the stakes were obvious, and the calls along the way did not do much to quiet either side, especially with a contested illegal hands-to-the-face penalty and a holding call drawing immediate attention.
Bill Vinovich was the lead official on a crew that has already been under the microscope for controversial decisions earlier this season, which only sharpened the focus on this latest matchup. For a Patriots result that should have been celebrated for its grit, the conversation instead drifted quickly toward the whistle and why so many Buffalo fans felt they had plenty to complain about after it was over. [Read more 🡒]
Patriots Suddenly Have A Bigger Receiver Decision Than They Wanted
Mack Hollins early exit from Sundays game gave the Patriots another reminder of how thin they are at wide receiver right now. The veteran left with a calf injury, and Mike Vrabel said Hollins could miss practice for a few days as the team gets a better read on it, leaving New England to juggle snaps in a position group already dealing with other injury-related uncertainty and roster limitations.
Efton Chism III was the biggest beneficiary of the opening, playing a season-high number of snaps and hauling in the game-winning touchdown. His performance came at an opportune time for a team searching for reliable options, and it may force the Patriots to consider whether his role needs to grow even if Hollins is back sooner rather than later. [Read more 🡒]
Bills Reaction Added Even More Fuel To Patriots Statement Win
The Patriots win over Buffalo already carried plenty of weight inside the division, but the reaction from the Bills afterward only sharpened the edge on it. A road loss can sting on its own, especially when it comes against a rival in Foxborough, but the postgame mood around Buffalo suggested this one landed a little harder than usual.
Cornerback Max Hairston reportedly left the locker room without speaking to reporters, and CJ Gardner-Johnson added another layer with dismissive comments about Efton Chism, calling him a practice-squad player even though Chism is on New Englands 53-man roster. For the Patriots, it was the kind of extra bulletin-board material that can linger well beyond one afternoon, and it offered another reminder that statement wins do not always end when the clock hits zero. [Read more 🡒]