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6 worst Patriots playoff losses under Bill Belichick

By Hans Themistode

FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - SEPTEMBER 27: Head coach Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - SEPTEMBER 27: Head coach Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /
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Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Josh Allen and Bills steamroll Patriots

Game: 2021 AFC Wild Card

Score: Bills 47, Patriots 17

Perhaps it depends how you’re ranking these. “Worst” as in most heartbreaking … or from a statistical standpoint. If it’s the latter, this one takes the cake. The 30-point loss was worst of Belichick’s career as a head coach and it’s the second-worst in Patriots’ history behind the 46-10 defeat at the hands of the Chicago Bears in the Super Bowl back in 1986.

The Bills had their way with the Patriots from the very first snap. They were up 20-0 at the end of the first quarter and went into halftime with a 27-3 lead. New England never got close and were just as bad in the second half, you could say.

Buffalo didn’t punt, fumble, throw an interception, or kick a field goal. The only blemish was a missed extra point. Josh Allen led the Bills on a touchdown drive every time the offense took the field with the exception of the final kneel downs that effectively ended the game. He threw for 308 yards and five touchdowns and the offense as a whole added 174 yards on the ground.

The Patriots’ offense finished with 305 yards and two turnovers. The future does look bright with Mac Jones under center, but the Bills weren’t about to lose twice at home in the same season when they had the better team on paper.

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