Off a deep end Jim Lazar

Don’t panic, Pats fans, expect the worst

Are you mentally prepared?

Can you handle the what if?

As in, what if the Patriots are in decline . . . for real?

Which, without doubt, means Tom Brady, too.

Mental preparation is a hallmark of the Patriots success. Now Pats fans must become mentally prepared, get geared up for what they saw on opening night — The End.

Bad enough the Chiefs spit on the Pats’ fifth Super Bowl banner festivities, but now the wonder of it all, the glory of the last 16 years of fab football in Foxboro, a sad glimpse of what happens to dynasties.

Nothing lasts forever, except for a Red Sox game.

So how do you get mentally prepared for The End? How do you deal with a two-, three- or four-win season? Yikes!

Well, scream therapy is sometimes helpful, but how about simply recalling bits of past Patriots putridness. In small doses, please.

One can watch highlights of the Rod Rust era. At least that won’t take too much time.

Or how about recalling the chaos of the Ron Meyer regime. Meyer was fired after firing Rust, his then assistant coach, who then succeeded Raymond Berry to coach the Pats to that 1-15 season in 1990.

At the same time, re- member the late 1980s to mid-’90s collection of nutty owners, from an aging Billy Sullivan to a clean-shaven Victor Kiam to Midwest carpetbagger James Orth- wein. Phew, that will speed up your mental preparation for The End.

Then there’s the run of stadiums for the grand AFL Boston Pats, from Braves Field, to Fenway Park, to Alumni Stadium, to Harvard Stadium. Followed by the concrete colossus of Schaefer Stadium.

So give thanks to Bob Kraft for finally giving us a major league stadium, even though he never lets us forget it.

One can go on and on about the terrible and tawdry times of Patriots football while knowing the 2017 season is far from The End, though those thoughts are creepingly creepy.

Now is the time, Pats fans. Nothing like getting mentally prepared for The End. Bill Belichick would love it. This Is The Year! Patriots (-6) at New Orleans — It won’t be easy in the Big Easy, but if the Pats aren’t mentally prepared for this one, Tom Brady may cut back on his retirement plans. Of course, he just may make sure all by himself that things do get right. Pats, 38-30. Summer’s going: Tennessee (-1) at Jacksonville — The Jags are back! That is, back home, not from mediocrity. Titans, 23-17.

Cleveland at Baltimore (-8) — The Browns put up a mighty fight last week in losing. For them, that should count for something. Ravens, 22-20.

Buffalo at Carolina (-7) — The Bills got their victory last week, now get back to what you do better. Panthers, 30-13.

Arizona (-7) at Indianapolis — It’s a sad state in Indy. Yeah! Cardinals, 27-8.

Philadelphia at Kansas City (-6) — The Chiefs have had 10 days to realize they did pummel the Pats. Encore, please. Chiefs, 34-14.

Minnesota at Pittsburgh (-5) — On their way to their much self-anointed Super Bowl, the Steelers run into trouble. Vikings, 23-20.

Chicago at Tampa Bay (-7) — Can it get any worse for da Bears? Da yes. Buccaneers, 29-13.

Miami at Los Angeles Chargers (-31⁄2) — Well, at least for their new Los Angeles fans, sitting in a 30,000 seat soccer stadium will be cozy and close. Chargers, 31-23.

New York Jets at Oakland (-13) — Is it possible for the Jets to just concede the season? Raiders, 37-10.

Washington at Los Angeles Rams (-21⁄2) — After 22 years without a team, Los Angeles has both teams playing at home on the same Sunday. So confusing. So NFL. Redskins, 20-12.

Dallas (-21⁄2) at Denver — Can’t stand either team, so go against the one you really loathe. Cowboys, 19-16.

San Francisco at Seattle (-14) — Can’t fault Seahawks fans for thinking this is some kind of glorified preseason game. Seahawks, 33-3.

Green Bay at Atlanta (-3) — Well, Atlanta fans got a brand new stadium to celebrate something. Falcons, 27-17.

Detroit at New York Giants (-3) — Good win last week, Detroit. Now, get back to normal. Giants, 30-20.

Last week: 8-6-1