Bills DB Dismisses Efton Chism TD After Patriots' Win

Efton Chism III delivered one of Sunday’s most memorable plays, but not everyone was eager to celebrate it after the New England Patriots’ 29-26 win over the Buffalo Bills. Chism’s 19-yard, one-handed touchdown catch from Drake Maye helped swing the game in New England’s favor, yet Bills cornerback C.J. Gardner-Johnson brushed aside the highlight when asked about it afterward.

Chism finished the game with only two receptions, but his scoring grab stood out because of the degree of difficulty. With a defender tight in coverage in the end zone, he reached up and secured the ball with one hand for the go-ahead score. It was the kind of play that quickly spread beyond the game itself, especially because it came from a player who was not expected to be the central figure in a matchup between division rivals.

At the time of the catch, the touchdown did not officially end the game. The Patriots still needed a defensive stop, and they got it when Josh Allen was intercepted late, sealing Buffalo’s first loss of the season. That sequence preserved the 29-26 result and gave New England an important win against an AFC East opponent.

After the game, Gardner-Johnson made it clear he was not impressed by Chism’s moment. “Probably won’t hear from him again, respectfully,” he said. He followed that by adding, “I say that with a lot of confidence.”

The Bills defensive back also referred to Chism as an “elevated guy,” suggesting he had been called up from the practice squad for Week 4. That was not accurate. Chism has been on New England’s 53-man roster since the start of the regular season.

Gardner-Johnson did not stop there. “They won the game, whatever,” he said. “They didn’t do s--t better than us. We gotta play better.” His comments reflected the frustration of a close loss, but they also minimized a play that required timing, body control and strong hands under pressure.

Chism, for his part, did not seem interested in engaging with the postgame remarks. His focus stayed on the catch itself and on helping the Patriots improve to 2-2. Speaking honestly about the play, he said, “When I am out there, and the ball’s in the air, I kind of black out.” He added that he enters a flow state in those moments, saw the ball in the air and understood he had to make the most of the chance Maye gave him.

The touchdown was part of a productive afternoon for New England’s offense. Maye completed 22 of 37 passes for 269 yards and three touchdowns, though he also threw an interception he will want to clean up moving forward. Romeo Doubs also turned in a strong performance in his first season with the Patriots, catching six passes for 58 yards and two touchdowns.

For Buffalo, the defeat was difficult because it came in a game decided by a handful of high-impact moments. For New England, it was a reminder that unexpected contributors can decide rivalry games. Chism may not have entered the day as a headline name, but his catch became the defining image of the Patriots’ victory, regardless of how dismissive the reaction from the other sideline may have been.