After last week's statement win over the New England Patriots, the schedule doesn't get any easier for the Jacksonville Jaguars, as they head on the road to battle the Cincinnati Bengals.

Like the Jaguars, the Bengals enter Week 4 at 2-1 after dropping a tough division game against the Pittsburgh Steelers last Sunday.

Cincinnati presents another tough matchup for Jacksonville. To win, the Jaguars must show the same sense of urgency and intensity as they did against the Patriots in Week 3 

For years, Cincinnati’s defense and offensive line were huge weaknesses, balancing out a terrific offense. Both units have been significantly improved this season, which makes the Bengals a true contender. 

However, containing Cincy’s star wide receiver duo of Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins will still be the most important and most difficult task the Jaguars have in front of them. 

How will Travis Hunter, Montaric Brown, Jarrian Jones, Jourdan Lewis, and the rest of Jacksonville’s secondary fare against the NFL’s most dangerous WR duo?

Since defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile took the reins last season, the Jaguars have played zone coverage more than almost any other team in the NFL. 

However, this season Jacksonville has played man coverage more often. Much of that has to do with Travis Hunter primarily being used at CB this year instead of on offense. Hunter’s elite ball-hawking skills and ability to shadow wide receivers step by step on their routes make him a perfect man-coverage CB. 

In fact, Hunter has allowed a 0.0 passer rating when targeted while playing man coverage this season, and he recorded his first-career interception last week against New England. No team has allowed a lower QBR against man coverage than the Jaguars have so far this season.

While Hunter’s arrival as a full-time CB has allowed the Jaguars to play more man coverage, their core fundamentals are still rooted in zone coverage. 

However, now they are better equipped to switch up and disguise their coverages, which should greatly benefit them against Chase and Higgins. 

Chase and Higgins are both still elite receivers who each possess the ability to take over a game. 

In Week 1 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the pair was held to a combined five catches for 71 yards. Since then, both have been tremendous. Higgins has recorded games of 5-95-0 and 6-90-1 over the last two weeks, while Chase has put together performances of 7-75-2 and 9-98-1. 

Jacksonville can’t allow Chase and Higgins to control the game. If they can’t keep the pair in check, the Jaguars will not win the game. 

Sunday's game will be full of intriguing and exciting matchups, but none will be more important than Jacksonville's cornerbacks going up against Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins.

If the NFL's top WR duo is held in check, there is great chance the Jaguars will leave Cincinnati with another statement victory.

If Jacksonville can't contain Chase and Higgins, it will be a long afternoon.

The matchup is sure to be entertaining on Sunday. Whoever comes out on top will go a long way towards determining which of these AFC contenders finishes the season's first month 3-1.