​ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 27: C.J. Gardner-Johnson #22 of the Buffalo Bills sits injured on the field after being hurt on the play against the Los Angeles Chargers during the second quarter of the game at Highmark Stadium on September 27, 2026 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Bryan M. Bennett/Getty Images) GettyORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 04: Rhamondre Stevenson #38 of the New England Patriots carries the ball against C.J. Gardner-Johnson #22 of the Buffalo Bills during the second quarter at Highmark Stadium on October 04, 2026 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Images) GettyFOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – JANUARY 18: Efton Chism III #86 of the New England Patriots takes a moment before the AFC Divisional Playoff game against the Houston Texans at Gillette Stadium on January 18, 2026 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) GettyThe New England Patriots did more than hand the Buffalo Bills their first loss of the season Sunday. They apparently left at least one Buffalo defender unconvinced.Bills safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson took aim at New England after the Patriots’ 29-26 comeback win at Highmark Stadium, dismissing the decisive touchdown and questioning whether Buffalo had actually been outplayed.“A practice squad player made a helluva play,” Gardner-Johnson said after the game, according to WROC’s Thad Brown. “They didn’t do s— better than us. We gotta play better.”CJ Gardner-Johnson on why #Bills lost:”Practice squad player made a helluva play… They didn’t do %$&# better than us. We gotta play better.” pic.twitter.com/NJmINX4Djl— Thad Brown (@thadbrown7) October 4, 2026The comment appeared to reference Efton Chism III, whose spectacular one-handed 23-yard touchdown catch from Drake Maye with 1:50 remaining put New England ahead for good. There was one issue with Gardner-Johnson’s description: Chism is not a practice squad player.Gardner-Johnson Dismisses Patriots’ Game-Winning CatchGettyORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 04: Rhamondre Stevenson #38 of the New England Patriots carries the ball against C.J. Gardner-Johnson #22 of the Buffalo Bills during the second quarter at Highmark Stadium on October 04, 2026 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Images)
Gardner-Johnson’s frustration came after the Bills saw a late lead disappear against an AFC East rival that entered Sunday at 1-2. Buffalo had opened the year 3-0 and had yet to lose in its new stadium, while New England arrived after being routed by Jacksonville one week earlier.Buffalo went ahead 26-21 when Josh Allen found Keon Coleman for a 34-yard touchdown with 4:27 remaining. Maye responded by directing New England back down the field, with Chism making a 19-yard catch before the two-minute warning.On third down from the Buffalo 23, Maye rolled right and gave Chism a chance in the end zone. The second-year receiver fought through tight coverage and secured the ball one-handed