Another Sunday, another football game. Well, we know that was not the case this week.

Sunday’s Super Bowl game was a nail-biter to the finish, especially for those who identify themselves as Patriots fans.

But for some, the sting of defeat lingers on for more than just those few moments following the final seconds of the game.

“Sports depression” is a real phenomenon, and for those who become so engrossed in the game it could be something that becomes severe.

For most, it’s not an issue: root for a team and que sera sera. But for others, it’s almost a form of self-loathing. When a sports fan identifies themselves as a “Patriots fan,” it becomes a part of who they are as a person. It’s their role: the guy who’s crazy over the Pats. So when their team loses they, in turn, have failed.

It’s a phenomenon we not only see with sports, but with all types of pop-culture. A favorite sit-com comes to an end, or a beloved musician dies. Those who are fans must pack up their old identities as fans of “Seinfeld” or as Michael Jackson fanatics and find something else to define who they are and what they like.

All of this is a normal part of human nature. We find something we love and proclaim it. But for some, the thrill and pleasure they find in loving and proclaiming goes farther than others are willing to tread.

Many are probably reading this and thinking, “It’s just a football game,” but there are some of you who can probably empathize with the “sports depression.” With allegiance to a team throughout a whole season that leads to that one day, it’s hard not to feel a deep sense of sadness for the loss. (And for Giants fans, an equally deep sense of pride.) Plus, there’s probably some ribbing from friends and family who can be so ready to say, “I told you so.”

It’s like that with anything we allow to become a part of our lifestyles. When something fails, we mourn.

And then there’s another, possibly more understandable reason to be depressed: betting a small or substantial amount of money on a losing team. When monetary loss comes into play, it brings a whole new wave of depression and stress, which is usually accompanied by regret.

So if you can’t wrap your mind around “sports depression,” chew on that one for a while. Think of the retailers sobbing a similar story as they stare at Pats gear that would have otherwise been flying off shelves. Think of the newspapers that would have made money off of the advertisements for such gear.

All of the emotions of disappointment and despair will go away soon enough and the wound will heal. Just think, Pats fans, it could be worse. It could be 1958 when there weren’t any Pats.