Running back Maurice Jones-Drew has a chance for a big game against the Bengals weak run defense on Sunday. (US Presswire)

Bengals at Jaguars -- Week 4

Where: EverBank Field, Jacksonville, Fla. (turf, outdoors)

When: Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET (CBS)

Spread: Bengals by 2.5 

Forecast: Mid-80s, 30 percent chance of rain

Records: Jaguars (Overall: 1-2, AFC South: 1-1); Bengals (Overall: 2-1, AFC North: 1-1)

Past results: Two most recent meetings -- Oct. 9, 2011: Bengals 30, Jaguars 20; Nov. 2, 2008: Bengals 21, Jaguars 19. Series record: Jaguars lead 11-7.

What matters: The Jaguars avoided an 0-3 start with a dramatic win at Indianapolis last week. The win still didn't mask a couple of glaring holes the team must improve if it wants to be competitive in 2012. First, the passing game must become more consistent. The Jaguars are second to last in the league with just 147.3 yards per game through the air. Stopping the run needs to improve as well. Opponents are averaging 154.3 yards per game on the ground. Unless those numbers improve, the Jaguars will struggle to string many wins together. 

Who matters: RB Maurice Jones-Drew might make training camp obsolete. Through three games, he's shown little rust despite missing camp with a contract dispute. The Jaguars gave him 28 carries in their 22-17 win over the Colts last week, and he responded with 177 yards and a touchdown. This week he'll take aim at a Bengals defense that is giving up 155 yards per game on the ground. Another huge game from him could be the Jaguars best chance at getting back to .500.

Key matchups: Bengals WR A.J. Green vs. the Jaguars secondary. If Green has a game like he did against Washington last week (nine receptions, 188 yards, TD), the Jaguars in trouble. Getting the ball to Green has been a key ingredient for the Bengals to win recently. They are 4-1 when the second-year WR has more than 100 yards receiving in a game. Jaguars CBs Derek Cox and Rashean Mathis are settling in as starters. Cox, who had been dealing with a hamstring issue, is close to 100 percent, and he could get the assignment to cover Green in critical situations.

Injuries of note: WR Laurent Robinson, the team's second-leading receiver, has been held out of practice this week after taking a blow to head last Sunday. He passed concussion tests earlier in the week, but his status is unknown at this point. G Eben Britton (ankle) and T Cameron Bradfield (ankle) both are likely to play after missing the past two games. Reserve RB Rashad Jennings (knee) is likely to make his return this week as well.

Inside stuff: This will be the final game the Jaguars wear their standard teal home jerseys. They will switch to a primarily black home jersey next week against the Bears. Teal will become their alternate third jersey.

Connections: Bengals S Reggie Nelson is a former first-round pick of the Jaguars (2007). He played in Jacksonville for three years before being traded to the Bengals in 2010. Nelson also played at the University of Florida with Jaguars DE Jeremy Mincey. 

Stat you should know: Though his game-winning, 80-yard touchdown pass to WR Cecil Shorts took some heat off of him, QB Blaine Gabbert is still second to last in the NFL in completion percentage (50.6 percent).

Looking ahead: Jacksonville will host the Bears next weekend and then will have their bye during Week 6. After the bye, they will travel to Oakland and Green Bay.

Prediction: Bengals 21, Jaguars 20

For more news and analysis of the Jaguars, follow Daniel Lewis @CBSJags.