Tonight's matchup between the New England Patriots (8-5) and the host Tennessee Titans (8-5) at 9 ET features two teams playing their best football of the season with their sights set on a division title.

The Patriots and Titans have followed similar paths this season to reach identical 8-5 records.

Tom Brady's Patriots are fighting for their playoff lives.(AP)

New England opened the season 3-4 before winning five of its last six games while Tennessee has won seven of eight following a 1-4 start.

The Patriots are tied with Miami atop the AFC East, but can win their second consecutive division title with wins in their final three games. The Titans and Colts are tied for first in the AFC South, but Tennessee holds the tiebreaker with two wins over Indianapolis this season.

Clearly, Tennesee has a much easier schedule than New England. While the Titans have games remaining against Jacksonville and expansion Houston, the Patriots must face the New York Jets and Miami at home.

"Winning the division is really your only opportunity in the playoffs, as far as we're concerned," Titans coach Jeff Fisher said. "That is the only way you are guaranteed to get in. If you don't win the division, there are just too many other scenarios or potential possibilities that could come back to haunt you."

As long as quarterback Steve McNair stays away from practice, Tennessee could be well on its way to its eighth victory in nine games.

McNair has flourished despite being held out of practice the previous two weeks because of sore ribs. He threw for 237 yards and rushed for 49 more in a pivotal 27-17 victory over Indianapolis Sunday.

In his last two games, McNair has thrown four touchdowns without an interception, completing 49-of-66 passes for 571 yards. He also has scrambled nine times for 87 yards.

Not even McNair can explain why he plays so well with pain.

"It goes back to high school when my coach told me that when you're in pain, you tend to stay more focused on what you have to do," he said. "I took that to heart, and I think that's how I play now. I can just concentrate better when I'm playing in pain."

McNair needs only 12 yards passing and 76 rushing to become the fifth quarterback in NFL history to throw for more than 18,000 yards and rush for more than 3,000 in a career. He would join Fran Tarkenton, John Elway , Randall Cunningham and Steve Young in that select group.

For the first time since the season opener, the Titans could have three-time Pro Bowl defensive end Jevon Kearse in the lineup Monday.

Kearse hasn't played since breaking a bone in his left foot on the second play of the season against Philadelphia.

"I think he's got a pretty good chance to do some things for us this week," Fisher said. "We've just got to see how he does during the week. He's very, very close. It would be nice to have him back this week."

The defending Super Bowl champion Patriots appear to have put a midseason slump behind them and are in position to duplicate last season's strong finish.

New England was 5-5 last season before winning its last six games, and three more in the playoffs en route to the franchise's first championship. Though Monday's game is certainly important, the Patriots could still win the AFC East with a loss to Tennessee and wins over the Dolphins and Jets.

"Everything's a little different situation," kicker Adam Vinatieri said, "but we've got the confidence from last year's experience. We know that if we play well, and just keep battling and keep fighting and stay in the game that good things will happen."

In Drew Bledsoe's much-anticipated return to New England on Sunday, the Patriots forced five turnovers and cruised to a 20-0 halftime lead before holding on for a 27-17 victory over the Buffalo Bills.

Tom Brady had another effective game, completing 15 of 27 passes for 183 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions.

In his last six games -- five of them victories -- Brady has thrown for 11 touchdowns and been picked off just twice. He leads the NFL with 26 TD passes, and is fourth with 3,276 yards.

New England likely will be without two key players Monday. Linebacker Tedy Bruschi is expected to miss his second consecutive game with a knee injury while rookie receiver Deion Branch suffered a right leg injury Sunday and is listed as questionable.

Standings

Patriots -- T-1st place, AFC East. Titans -- T-1st place, AFC South.

Patriots leaders

Offense -- Brady, 3,276 passing yards, 26 passing TDs; Antowain Smith, 850 rushing yards, 5 rushing TDs; Troy Brown, 79 receptions, 742 receiving yards; Christian Fauria, 6 receiving TDs. Defense -- Roman Phifer, 56 tackles; Willie McGinest , Richard Seymour, 5 sacks; Ty Law, 4 INTs.

Titans leaders

Offense -- McNair, 2,988 passing yards, 21 passing TDs; Eddie George, 873 rushing, 9 rushing TDs; Derrick Mason, 67 receptions, 870 receiving yards; Kevin Dyson, Mason, 4 receiving TDs. Defense -- Keith Bulluck, 82 tackles; Kevin Carter , 7 sacks; Lance Schulters, 6 INTs.

Patriots team rank

Rushing Offense -- 95.3 yards per game (28th in NFL); Passing Offense -- 240.2 ypg (6th); Total Offense -- 335.5 ypg (16th). Rushing Defense -- 122.8 ypg (19th); Passing Defense -- 204.9 ypg (15th); Total Defense -- 327.7 ypg (15th).

Titans team rank

Rushing Offense -- 107.6 ypg (18th); Passing Offense -- 225.6 ypg (11th); Total Offense -- 333.2 ypg (17th). Rushing Defense -- 97.3 ypg (6th); Passing Defense -- 237.3 ypg (26th); Total Defense -- 334.6 ypg (19th).

Last meeting

Sept. 20, 1998; Patriots, 27-16. At Foxboro, Mass., Bledsoe threw a 51-yard touchdown pass to Terry Glenn, and Lawyer Milloy returned an interception for a score 20 seconds later.

Patriots streaks and notes

• New England's offense has scored on its first drive in each of the past four games.
• WR Brown needs one catch to become the first Patriot with at least 80 in three seasons.
• K Vinatieri is 16-for-16 on field-goal attempts from 39 yards or less.

Titans streaks and notes

• Fisher is the NFL's winningest coach since 1999 (41-20).
• Tennessee is 7-1 this season when RB George has 20 or more carries.
• S Schulters is tied for the league lead with six interceptions.

Road/home records

Patriots -- 4-3 on the road; Titans -- 5-2 at home.

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