In one of the biggest surprises of the 2026 NFL season so far, the New England Patriots improved their record to 2-2 with a stunning road victory over the division-rival Buffalo Bills. The upset was sealed by a breathtaking one-handed touchdown catch, labeled the Catch of the Year, made by unheralded wide receiver Efton Chism III. This remarkable play came from a stellar pass delivered by quarterback Drake Maye and ultimately helped secure the win after Bills star Josh Allen threw a late interception.

While New England celebrated this much-needed bounce-back victory, following a tough outing against Jacksonville, the mood in the losing locker room quickly turned tense. Bills safety CJ Gardner-Johnson expressed his frustration about the loss in a quote shared on X by ClutchPoints, aimed at the game's hero.

"An elevated guy made a helluva catch. Probably won't hear from [Efton Chism III] again … respectfully. … A practice squad player made a helluva play."

CJ Gardner-Johnson on why the Bills lost at home to the Patriots 😳

(via @thadbrown7)pic.twitter.com/emYL8su4l7 https://t.co/aSiddSRh7z

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) October 4, 2026

Article Continues Below

When discussing why Buffalo stumbled at home, Gardner-Johnson did not hold back. He stated, “An elevated guy made a helluva catch. Probably won't hear from [Efton Chism III] again… respectfully. A practice squad player made a helluva play.”

This dismissive comment has added significant bulletin-board material for the AFC East rivalry, demonstrating that the animosity between these two franchises remains as strong as ever. While Chism's jaw-dropping catch will be featured in highlight reels for weeks, Gardner-Johnson's remarks ensure that the rematch later this season will be filled with tension and competitive spirit.