Chism's One-Handed Catch Caps Patriots Rally as Bills Suffer First Loss 29-26
New England rally late in Orchard Park to close gap in AFC East
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File photo: New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye against the Tennessee Titans in November 2024. Photo: Tennessee Titans, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — Drake Maye threw three touchdown passes, including a one-handed 23-yard catch by Efton Chism III with 1:50 remaining, as the New England Patriots rallied to beat the Buffalo Bills 29-26 on Sunday and hand their AFC East rivals a first defeat of the season.
The Patriots improved to 2-2, while the Bills fell to 3-1. The Associated Press said it was Buffalo's first loss at its new Highmark Stadium and the first under new coach Joe Brady.
Chism catch decides it
Buffalo led 26-21 after Josh Allen's 34-yard touchdown pass to Keon Coleman with 4:27 remaining, although the Bills' two-point attempt failed. Maye answered with a 73-yard drive, finding Chism on third-and-5 for the go-ahead score before hitting Rhamondre Stevenson for the two-point conversion, AP reported.
With about a minute left, safety Craig Woodson intercepted an underthrown deep pass from Allen intended for Josh Palmer. Maye then rolled right and found Hunter Henry for a 12-yard completion that allowed New England to run out the clock.
Romeo Doubs caught two touchdown passes and Stevenson scored on a 1-yard run. Maye finished 22 of 37 for 269 yards with one interception and a lost fumble, and added 54 rushing yards, according to ESPN. He had entered the game with one touchdown pass and six interceptions.
'Back in the race'
"It gets us back in the race," Patriots coach Mike Vrabel said, according to ESPN. "Josh is unbelievable, but I felt like Drake went toe-to-toe with him."
"We definitely have to build on it. This is relieving a little bit," Maye said.
Chism, a second-year player who made the team as an undrafted free agent in 2025, was thrust into a bigger role with A.J. Brown out with a high ankle sprain and Mack Hollins leaving with a calf injury, ESPN reported.
Allen finished 23 of 33 for 253 yards and also ran for a touchdown. AP said his 2-yard score in the first half was his 88th career touchdown from scrimmage, breaking the Bills record held by Hall of Famers Thurman Thomas and Andre Reed.
Sources: Associated Press (via Yahoo Sports); ESPN
