Efton Chism III, a second-year Patriots receiver, hauled in a one-handed, 19-yard touchdown catch from quarterback Drake Maye that put New England ahead for good in a 29-26 win over the previously unbeaten Buffalo Bills on Sunday.
Chism caught just two passes all game, but the touchdown grab, snatched out of the air with one hand while a defender draped over him in the end zone, turned the contest. An interception off Bills quarterback Josh Allen sealed the Patriots’ win and handed Buffalo its first loss of the season.
Bills cornerback C.J. Gardner-Johnson wasn’t impressed. Asked about Chism’s play afterward, he dismissed it outright.
“Probably won’t hear from him again, respectfully,” Gardner-Johnson said. “I say that with a lot of confidence.”
Gardner-Johnson went further, calling Chism an “elevated guy,” implying he’d been called up from the practice squad for the week. That’s not accurate — Chism has been on New England’s 53-man roster since the start of the regular season.
“They won the game, whatever,” Gardner-Johnson added. “They didn’t do s–t better than us. We gotta play better.”
Chism didn’t engage with the criticism after the game. He described the mindset that led to the catch.
“When I am out there, and the ball’s in the air, I kind of black out,” Chism said, per Yahoo Sports. “I am kind of in that little flow state. I saw it in the air, Drake gave me that opportunity, and I just … you gotta take advantage of those opportunities, you never know when they’re gonna come.”
The win moved New England to 2-2. Romeo Doubs, in his first season with the Patriots, caught two touchdowns on six receptions for 58 yards. Maye finished 22-of-37 for 269 yards and three touchdown passes, though he also threw an interception.
