The biggest story from the Patriots’ 29-26 win over Buffalo isn’t the score. It is the quiet, sharp response from New England veterans to a trash-talking Bills safety. C.J. Gardner-Johnson mocked rookie Efton Chism after Chism caught the game-winning touchdown. He called the second-year receiver a “practice-squad player.”
Chism has never been on an NFL practice squad.
Gardner-Johnson stated the “better team lost” even though his squad dropped to a 3-1 record.
Drake Maye, Kevin Byard, and Hunter Henry did not let those comments slide. They each offered their own reaction after the game on Oct. 4. The trio made it clear that Gardner-Johnson’s words were expected but wrong. Maye delivered the pass that made the criticism possible. Passing attempts totaled 37 with 22 completed, yielding 269 yards and three touchdowns. He also rushed for a team-high 54 yards.
Maye led an eight-play, 73-yard drive to put New England ahead late in the fourth quarter. Maye extended the play and located Chism downfield for the decisive moment. Chism made a one-handed 23-yard touchdown grab. The Patriots’ official site noted Chism took advantage of increased time after starter Mack Hollins left with a calf injury.
Maye’s response was simple and direct. According to reports.com’s Ethan Hurwitz, Maye told WEEI on Oct. 5, “Obviously we got the last laugh yesterday and we’ll see them again.”
The quarterback backed up his words with a winning performance. He showed that the “better team” was the one standing on the field at the end.
Veterans Byard and Henry added their own takes to the mix. Byard played with Gardner-Johnson in Chicago. He knows exactly how the Bills safety operates. Byard spoke his mind on a WEEI appearance. “That’s very on brand for who he is,” Byard said of Gardner-Johnson. “He’s going to speak his mind. The first thing that comes to his mind, he’s going to say it.”
Henry had an alike take as well. During his WEEI appearance, Henry remarked on Gardner-Johnson, “Yeah, he likes to talk.”
The three reactions show a team that is united and focused. They are not distracted by noise from opponents who lost.
This win moved the Patriots into the playoff picture. Per Pats Pulpit, the victory put New England at the No. 7 seed in the AFC. They are now one game behind the Bills in the division. The Patriots hold the head-to-head tiebreaker after beating Buffalo.
The AFC East is shaping up to be a two-team race. The Bills remain on top despite the loss. But the gap is now just one game. The Jets and Dolphins are far behind. Miami sits at 0-4 with a -55 scoring differential that ranks last in the league.
New England will look to build on this momentum. They host the Raiders at Gillette Stadium on Sunday. Securing a win there would mark the team’s first winning record of the entire season. It would also put more pressure on Buffalo.
The Bills will have a chance to fire back when they visit Gillette on Dec. 6. Until then, the Patriots are the ones with the last laugh.
