Efton Chism
Oct 4, 2026; Orchard Park, New York, USA; New England Patriots wide receiver Efton Chism III (86) makes a catch for a touchdown during the fourth quarter at New Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images
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After a 0-3 start to the season, the New England Patriots were able to bounce back in a big way on Sunday afternoon, pulling off an upset win over the Buffalo Bills on the road after Patriots wide receiver Efton Chism III made a ridiculous catch to give the Patriots the lead with under two minutes to go in the fourth quarter.
The diving one-handed catch with the game on the line is one of the biggest plays of the NFL season so far, but Bills safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson, who was in coverage on the play, was clearly unimpressed.
Catch of the Year?
Trailing 26-21 with just under two minutes remaining on the clock, the Patriots faced a pivotal third down against the Bills.
In the obvious passing situation, Buffalo sent some pressure off the edge and it impacted the play, forcing quarterback Drake Maye to escape out of the pocket and throw off his back foot.
Maye only had one real option to throw to downfield as he found Chism in single coverage against Gardner-Johnson, so he threw it up and hoped his receiver would make a play.
He did.
TOUCHDOWN PATRIOTS.
What a catch by Efton Chism III to take the lead!
@NEvsBUF on CBS/Paramount+
Stream on @NFLPlus https://t.co/DtIZoenYNL
— NFL (@NFL) October 4, 2026
The Patriots went on to add a two-point conversion and win the game by a final score of 29-26 with Chism emerging as the hero of the game.
‘Practice squad player’
While most of the NFL world was celebrating the incredible play from Chism, Gardner-Johnson downplayed it, dismissing Chism as a “practice squad player.”
“We’re not going to get into any bulletin board material,” Gardner-Johnson said after the game. “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 it’s like he didn’t put his confidence in his best player,” Gardner-Johnson continued. “But they won the game, whatever. They ain’t do [expletive] better than us. We gotta play better. And they can mark that. We’ll be back, see them again 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,” Gardner-Johnson said. “You do it again, and he probably won’t make it again. Simple.”
It’s worth noting that Chism was not an elevated player and has never been on a practice squad with the Patriots or any other team. Gardner-Johnson, meanwhile, has.
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