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ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- Drake Maye didn't have to be perfect after his rough start to the season.
The New England Patriots quarterback understood he simply needed to be more consistent.
Maye delivered by shaking off two first-half turnovers to finish with three touchdown passes -- including Efton Chism's one-handed catch with 1:50 remaining -- in rallying New England to a 29-26 win over Josh Allen and the previously unbeaten Buffalo Bills on Sunday.
The three touchdowns were two more than Maye combined for in New England losing two of its first three games to open the season. The 29 offensive points scored against Buffalo matched the Patriots' total from their first three outings.
"It's relieving a little bit," said Maye, who was facing criticism after opening the season throwing six interceptions and losing a fumble. "I know I've got to play better and still left some stuff out there today. But we've got to build on it."
Patriots coach Mike Vrabel was far more enthusiastic about his third-year quarterback's performance in an outcome that allowed the defending AFC East champions to improve to 2-2 and close the gap on their division rival Bills (3-1).
"Gets us back in the race. Josh (Allen) was unbelievable," Vrabel said. "Felt like Drake went toe to toe with him."
Indeed he did.
With New England trailing 26-21 following Allen's 34-yard touchdown pass to Keon Coleman, Maye led an eight-play, 73-yard drive, which he capped with the completion to Chism.
Facing third-and-5, Maye rolled to his right and lobbed a perfectly placed pass to the second-year receiver, who caught it with his right hand and maintained control falling to the ground.
"Shoot, when I'm out there and the ball is in the air, I kind of black out," said Chism. "Drake gave me an opportunity and you have to come down with those opportunities."