The Patriots left Buffalo with a statement win on Sunday, and Drake Maye was right at the center of it.
New England erased a late deficit and walked out with a 29-26 victory over the Bills to move to 2-2 on the season. The deciding play came with just under two minutes left, when Maye rolled and delivered a strike to Efton Chism III for the go-ahead touchdown. Maye’s throw was sharp, but Chism’s one-handed grab was the kind of finish that ends up on every highlight reel.
Bills safety CJ Gardner-Johnson wasn’t in the mood to heap praise on the rookie receiver after the game. He said they “probably won't hear from him again” and referred to him as a practice squad player.
That didn’t sit well with Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel, who pushed back Monday morning on The Greg Hill Show.
“For a guy that’s been on 8 teams in four years? I mean, I guess he knows the drill,” Vrabel fired back.
#Patriots HC Mike Vrabel responds to #Bills DB C.J. Gardner-Johnson calling WR Efton Chism a practice-squad player:
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) October 5, 2026
“For a guy that’s been on 8 teams in four years? I mean, I guess he knows the drill.” 💀
(🎥 @TheGregHillShow) pic.twitter.com/XYAGzBx2Xr
Gardner-Johnson has been a notable piece of a Buffalo secondary that has been stretched thin, but that group couldn’t slow down New England on Sunday. Maye, a third-year quarterback out of North Carolina, came in needing a clean, productive outing after a shaky first three weeks marked by turnovers and inconsistency. He got exactly that.
Maye finished 22-of-37 for 269 yards, three touchdowns and one interception, while also leading the Patriots on the ground with 54 rushing yards on eight carries.
Chism, meanwhile, kept making the most of his chances. With A.J. Brown sidelined because of an ankle injury, he’s carved out a bigger role, and on Sunday he finished with two catches for 42 yards and the game-winner in the fourth quarter.
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 🡒]