There’s a bug going round the Boston sports scene, and the losing virus has hit the Patriots hard.

This week found both Terry Francona and Bill Belichick off their feed and unusually testy. Both men look like they have the traditional symptoms of losers—headache, jaundice and even a few convulsions after their respective games.

Since the disease is caused by a parasite, we began to look to see what bug has bitten both Patriot and Red Sox Nations.

The only known poisonous bite comes from Boston media. A long-term infestation of journalists has long plagued the area. In recent years, it has spread with the social media’s help.

Usually, the infection starts with the media descending upon one player and continuing to attack until he collapses and cries for mercy. In the Patriots' case, the constant barrage has been aimed at Chad Ochocinco, and in the Red Sox case, the assault has been on John Lackey.

Once the feeding frenzy begins, blogmeisters and talk show blabbers join in the aggressive behavior. Soon, the rest of the team finds itself nervous and feeling under the weather.

The Red Sox have been carriers now for nearly a month, showing all the signs that postseason comatose apathy is setting in. 

Until this weekend, the condition of the Patriots was said to ride the fast lane to the Super Bowl, much as the Red Sox once thought the World Series was a shoo-in.

Now players are saying shoo to the gnats of media hounds.

Heretofore, the unscathed Tom Brady was a model of health before he was felled by four interceptions, the first sign that first aid is needed.

On the other hand, Red Sox ironman Jacoby Ellsbury shows no sign of trouble and may be immune after having suffered the indignities of media swarming last season.

The Celtics have spread to the four corners of the globe and may avoid their worsening condition.

All in all, it may be too late to inoculate the starters. Already, Patriot fans are foaming at the mouth, and that is never a good start.  Red Sox fans expect the malaria to run its course once the fall weather sets in, but the contagion in New England is about as frightening as in the 1970s when all the major teams tanked.