FOXBORO -- The Patriots know what is at stake when they take the field to battle the visiting Carolina Panthers today.

They're clinging to a one-game lead in the AFC East, and they know that a win today will give them a better chance at winning the division title.

"Everybody knows we are in the driver's seat," running back Laurence Maroney said. "We know what we have to do to come out here and be dominant and win games. A lot of games [that we lost] we really felt that we beat ourselves. As long as we stop beating ourselves and play our game and play 60 minutes, we'll be alright. I think everybody knows that and the attitude this week has been showing."

The Pats have been outscored, 83-24, in the second half of their five losses.

"Sometimes I think when we get up, we get relaxed," Maroney said. "We just have to fight all 60 minutes and come out in the second half of games and play hard, just the way we play in the first half."