The question needs to be asked, “Did Efton Chism just save the New England Patriots’ season?”
Chism, who spent all of August on the roster-cut bubble, hauled in a 23-yard touchdown pass to save the day on Sunday in Buffalo, and yes, potentially save the season.
The 29-26 win was second straight for the Patriots in Buffalo and knocked the Bills from the ranks of the unbeaten.
Hardest worker in room
“Nobody is going to outwork ‘Chis.’ Plenty of guys work hard. Nobody works harder,” said head coach Mike Vrabel. “His toughness, his routine, it’s really cool to see guys like that take advantage of his opportunity.”
Chism, an undrafted free agent in his second year out of Eastern Washington, pulled in the one-handed, highlight-reel grab with 1:50 left and New England trailing, 26-21, despite Davison Igbinosun being draped all over him.
“I’ve got two touchdowns to ‘Chis,’ he’s got two one-handers,” said quarterback Drake Maye. “You guys see it for two years in training camp. He just keeps doing the right things. You get what you put into it. I think we saw that with ‘Chis.’”
Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images
Chism had entered the game with two catches (for -1 yard) in two games. He sat the opener against Seattle. In the lineup because of A.J. Brown’s injury, Chism finished with two catches for 42 yards.
Coming out of nowhere
Last year, he finished with three catches for 75 yards, including the aforementioned TD that Maye spoke about.
Chism nearly didn’t make the Patriots out of camp.
It took a trade of Kayshon Boutte to Houston in late August to clear out a spot for Chism on the 53-man roster to open the season. And it took the Brown ankle injury to get him on the field. A solid contributor on special teams as well as now on offense, he doesn’t want to exit the game day lineup.
“We’ve got different guys in there, everybody’s stepping up,” said Maye.
