Just how bad was the Patriots’ loss to the Bills? Here’s where it ranks in the history books.

Patriots quarterback Mac Jones (center) passed for 232 yards in Saturday's loss.Jim Davis/Globe Staff

BUFFALO — Just how bad was the Patriots’ wild-card round loss to the Bills here on Saturday? It was the second-worst loss of the Bill Belichick era.

The worst was just barely worse — a September 2003 season-opening shutout (31-0) by the Bills was the first game on the road to former Patriots quarterback Tom Brady’s second Super Bowl win.

The third-worst was also against the Bills, a 38-9 loss that came near the end of quarterback Cam Newton’s brief tenure in New England in 2020.

Here’s the full list:

Worst losses of the Bill Belichick era Saturday's wild-card loss to the Bills was the second-worst loss of the Bill Belichick era, surpassed only by a 31-point beatdown at the hands of, once again, the Bills in 2003.

Date	Opponent	Result	Losing margin
9/7/2003	Bills	31-0	-31
1/15/2022	Bills	47-17	-30
12/28/2020	Bills	38-9	-29
9/29/2014	Chiefs	41-14	-27
10/25/2020	49ers	33-6	-27
11/23/2000	Lions	34-9	-25
9/21/2008	Dolphins	38-13	-25
10/2/2005	Chargers	41-17	-24
11/11/2018	Titans	34-10	-24
11/30/2008	Steelers	33-10	-23

SOURCE: Pro Football Reference

While it appeared at times the Patriots might have the worst losing playoff margin in team history, they ended up avoiding that fate with a late touchdown. The worst playoff loss came in 1964, when the Boston Patriots were pummeled by the San Diego Chargers in the AFL Championship game.

Worst playoff losses in franchise history Had the Patriots not scored late in the fourth quarter, it would have gone down as the second-worst playoff loss in franchise history. The worst came as the Boston Patriots.

Date	Opponent	Round	Score	Margin
Jan. 5, 1964	Chargers	AFL Championship	51-10	41 points
Jan. 26, 1986	Bears	Super Bowl XX	46-10	36 points
Jan. 15, 2022	Bills	Wild card	47-17	30 points
Jan. 10, 2010	Ravens	Wild card	33-14	19 points
Dec. 31, 1978	Oilers	Divisional	31-14	16 points

SOURCE: Pro Football Reference

It quickly became apparent on Saturday there would be no comeback in this team. Only twice have the Patriots rallied to come back to win when down by 18 or more at half: Super Bowl LI vs. the Falcons (New England trailed 28-3 at one point) and a wild 2013 overtime win against the Broncos.

Largest halftime deficits of the Bill Belichick era The Patriots have come back to win after trailing by 18 or more points at halftime only twice — against the Broncos in the regular season in 2013 and the comeback to win Super Bowl LI

Date	Opponent	Halftime margin	Result
1/15/2022	Bills	-24	47-17 Loss
11/24/2013	Broncos	-24	34-31 Win (OT)
9/7/2003	Bills	-21	31-0 Loss
10/25/2020	49ers	-20	33-6 Loss
9/16/2018	Jaguars	-18	31-20 Loss
2/5/2017	Falcons	-18	34-28 Win (OT)
10/16/2005	Broncos	-18	28-20 Loss

SOURCE: Pro Football Reference

Alex Speier of the Globe staff contributed to this report.