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Forgotten Patriots Defender Quietly Delivered Game-Saving Play In Buffalo
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- Forgotten Patriots Defender Quietly Delivered Game-Saving Play In Buffalo
Forgotten Patriots Defender Quietly Delivered Game-Saving Play In Buffalo originally appeared on NESN . Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here .
Efton Chism III supplied the highlight. Craig Woodson supplied the finish.
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The New England Patriots ' dramatic 29-26 victory over the Buffalo Bills on Sunday will understandably be remembered for Chism's spectacular one-handed touchdown reception from Drake Maye late in the fourth quarter.
Buffalo still had time, though. And Josh Allen had the football.That usually isn't a comfortable combination for an opposing defense.
Woodson changed everything.
Woodson Slammed The Door
Buffalo attempted to answer Maye's touchdown by pushing the ball downfield, but Woodson intercepted Allen on the Bills' ensuing possession. New England then ran out the clock. It was exactly the type of late-game play the Patriots need from their defense if they are going to become a legitimate factor in the AFC.
Woodson isn't one of the biggest names on New England's roster, but his development has been difficult to ignore.The former fourth-round pick started 15 games as a rookie in 2025 and led New England's defense in snaps. His performance earned him more than $1.1 million through the NFL's performance-based pay program during the offseason.
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Then came Sunday. With Buffalo looking for another late answer, Woodson delivered arguably the biggest play of his young career.
MORE: Patriots' Biggest Win Revealed Something New About Drake Maye
Patriots' Young Core Keeps Producing
That may be the most encouraging part of New England's victory. Maye threw the winning touchdown. Chism, an undrafted free agent from the Patriots' 2025 class, made the catch.Woodson, another member of that young group, finished the game.
New England still has veterans occupying critical roles, but victories become sustainable when inexpensive young players begin making expensive plays.
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Sunday provided several examples.
The Patriots improved to 2-2 and handed Buffalo its first loss while becoming the first road team to win at the new Highmark Stadium.
Those facts alone make it New England's biggest victory of the young season. But how the Patriots won might matter even more. They didn't simply survive because Buffalo made a mistake. Young players stepped into massive moments and produced.
Chism's catch will be replayed for a long time. Woodson deserves to be remembered for what happened next.
